Diseases

Women also experience chest pain and discomfort as a symptom of a heart attack. But women are more likely than men to experience other symptoms including shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Sometimes the symptoms of a heart attack in women are more subtle, such as

• pain in the upper abdomen
• dizziness
• lightheadedness or fainting
• extreme fatigue

If you think you are experiencing signs of a heart attack, call 911 immediately!

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest discomfort or pain that may feel like pressure or tightness
• Squeezing, or fullness discomfort in one or both arms
• Back, neck, jaw or stomach pain
• Shortness of breath, which may or may not be accompanied by chest discomfort
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Lightheadedness
• Sweating

Sometimes people having a heart attack experience no symptoms at all. The medical term for this is silent ischemia, commonly referred to as a "silent" heart attack.If you think you are experiencing signs of a heart attack, call 911 immediately!

Heart disease is often called the silent killer, because often people do not experience symptoms until they have a fatal heart attack.Early signs of heart disease include:

• Chest pain (angina)
• Extreme fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, back, or upper abdomen
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling in feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen

• Leading a heart-healthy lifestyle with a nutritious low-fat diet and exercise is the best way to prevent heart disease and heart attack.
• A heart-healthy diet includes nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Fat and sugar should be limited.
• Regular exercise can also help keep you at a healthy weight and prevent heart disease and heart attacks.
• Other tips for lifestyle changes that can help prevent heart disease or a heart attack include not smoking, limiting alcohol, reducing stress, and managing diabetes and high blood pressure.

The following increases your risk of heart attack:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Aging
• Family history of heart disease
• Alcoholism

What can you do if you are alone and think you are having a heart attack?If you have a heart attack and are home alone when it occurs here are some tips help improve your outcome.

• Know the symptoms of a heart attack. Keep your cell phone available at all times. If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Minutes count! Do this FIRST, before anything else.
• If the 911 operator suggests it, take an aspirin if you are not allergic. Be prepared talk to your doctor and find out if you should be on aspirin therapy to prevent a heart attack before it occurs.
• The Internet has spread the idea of "cough CPR," however, the American Heart Association does not endorse this as a way to prevent heart attacks. If you are having a sudden abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and are conscious you may be able to cough forcefully enough to maintain enough blood flow to the brain to stay conscious a few seconds more until the arrhythmia breaks. Coughing probably won't hurt, but always call 911 first.

A heart attack happens when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is significantly reduced or cut off completely. This is often a result of atherosclerosis, a process whereby the arteries narrow due to a buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, and other substances). Sometimes these plaques can break off, and blood clots can form around them. The clots in the coronary arteries then block blood flow to the heart, starving it of oxygen and nutrients (ischemia), causing damage or death to heart muscle. This damage to the heart muscle is a heart attack. Heart attack is medically termed myocardial infarction (MI).

A heart-healthy diet is full of:

• Fruits and veggies
• Whole grains
• Legumes
• Low-fat dairy
• Lean poultry
• Fish
• Nuts

Limit:

• Sugar
• Red meat
• Sugary sodas

There is evidence that natural plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diets may be helpful in preventing and even reversing heart disease.The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is an eating plan that helps manage high blood pressure and is effective in reducing the risk of heart attack.

Leading a heart-healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent heart disease and heart attack. Follow these tips to reduce your risk factors for heart attack.

• Eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don't smoke.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Manage diabetes and blood pressure.
• Exercise regularly.
• Reduce stress (take stress management classes or yoga)
• Take prescribed medications as directed.

Regular exercise can help prevent heart attacks. Just 40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, 3-4 times per week can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. It also helps manage stress.Exercise tips: Start slowly and work your way up to more time and intensity. Even just 10 minutes of light walking will benefit your health.A tip is to find activities you enjoy such as

• Yoga
• Swimming
• Tai Chi
• Walk for 20 minutes and spend time with nature
• Bike with family or friends
• Take an exercise class at the community college
• Go out dancing