When you or someone you love is experiencing chest discomfort or shortness of breath you want to be able to take appropriate action, which is not necessarily turning to your computer.That’s why every February for 60 years U.S. health officials have been shining the light on heart attack symptoms, prevention and other issues related to heart health.
Lots of progress has been made on the heart disease front since 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first American Heart Month proclamation, most notably a sharp decline in smoking rates and better management of cholesterol, both risk factors.
But the danger remains, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, others start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. The American Heart Association recommends you call 911 if you have:
The American Heart Association has put together a simple one-page infographic highlighting the 5 common warning signs. You might want to make a copy and have readily available.
And while women’s most common symptom is also chest discomfort or pain, women may have other symptoms that are less commonly associated with a heart attack such as upper back pressure that feels like squeezing or a rope being tied around them, anxiety, upset stomach, shortness of breath, and unusual tiredness and weakness.
While you can’t do anything about your age or family genetics, there are many heart disease risk factors that you can control. Here are 4 of them.
“A healthy diet that is low in sodium and saturated fat is key to heart disease prevention,” according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH), which recommends the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan. DASH diet is packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, fat-free or low-fat dairy and limiting foods that are high in saturated fat, sodium and sugar and other sweeteners.
Keeping active is key. Health experts recommend at least 2 ½ hours of physical activity a week, plus muscle strengthening exercises. (Check first with your doctor.) Staying active can also decrease other medical conditions that are risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
The number that pops up on your scale is just one indicator if your weight is in a healthy range. “Before deciding whether you should gain or lose weight, it’s important to talk with a doctor. They may use your BMI or waist circumference to help with this decision, but they’ll also consider your age, ethnicity, body composition, health history, and risk for health conditions,” according to Healthline.
Along with following a healthy diet and physical activity, you may want to ask your doctor about supportive services to lose weight such as enlisting a dietician or weight loss specialist. Bottom line: Being overweight is hard on your heart.
High stress and not enough quality sleep are both risk factors for heart disease. “Practicing meditation, being more physically active, doing relaxation therapy and talking with someone you trust can help you cope with stress and sleep better,” NIH says.