Signs of heart attack many and varied

One in three American women dies of heart disease.

By DOROTHY COX
The Trucker Staff

9/25/2008

One woman in her mid thirties writes that she went to the ER twice in one week with chest pains, which was diagnosed as bleeding ulcers, even when the pain became quite intense.

However, upon the second visit she refused to leave and the doctor on duty later asked: “Where’s the 34-year-old who had the massive heart attack?”

So, just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can’t have a heart attack.

In fact, one in three American women dies of heart disease. In 2003, almost twice as many women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. And the older a woman gets, the more likely she is to have heart disease. But women of all ages should be concerned about heart disease, and all women can take steps to prevent heart disease.

So arm yourself with some information.

Coronary artery disease or CAD is the most common type of heart disease and the cause of most heart attacks, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.

With CAD, the arteries become hard and narrow and it’s difficult for blood to get to the heart. CAD in turn can lead to angina, the discomfort or pain felt when the heart isn’t getting the blood it needs.

The pain may feel more like a pressing or squeezing of the heart, and there also may be pain in the shoulders, arm, neck, jaw or back.

A heart attack occurs when an artery is severely or completely blocked and the heart doesn’t get the blood it needs for more than 20 minutes.

Heart failure happens when the heart can’t pump blood through the body as well as it should and other organs don’t get enough blood. It doesn’t mean that the heart stops.

Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, swelling of the feet, ankles and legs and extreme tiredness.

Heart arrhythmias are changes in the way your heart beats. A few flutters are not cause for alarm unless there are flutters and other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath. Then you should call your doctor immediately.

What can you do to lower your risk of heat disease?

• Know your blood pressure

• Don’t smoke

• Get tested for diabetes

• Get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels tested

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Limit your alcohol intake to no more than drink a day (one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass or wine or one 1.5-ounce shot of hard liquor), and

• Find healthier ways to deal with stress rather than keeping it in such as talking to friends, journaling or exercising.

Remember, not everyone has all the signs of a heart attack, and sometimes the signs can go away and come back.

Don’t hesitate. Call 911 if you think you’re having a heart attack.