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When we talk about heart health, we are referring to how healthy your heart muscle is, and how well your arteries and veins carry blood to and from your heart and other vital organs. If your blood vessels become stiff or blocked, perhaps due to untreated high blood pressure or high cholesterol, those blood vessels can slow, or even stop, blood flow. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked.
Some heart attacks come on suddenly and intensely; others may start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. If you are experiencing any heart attack warning signs, calling 911 is almost always the quickest way to get lifesaving treatment. It is not recommended that you try to drive yourself to the hospital while experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, unless you have no other option.
According to the American Heart Association, many people having a heart attack wait more than three hours before seeking help. Some people feel it would be embarrassing to have a “false alarm.” Others are so afraid of having a heart attack that they tell themselves they aren’t having one. These feelings are easy to understand, but they’re also very dangerous.
Common heart attack warning signs include:
- Pain or discomfort in chest
- Lightheadedness, nausea/vomiting or breaking into a cold sweat
- Jaw, neck, back, arm or stomach pain
- Discomfort or pain in the arm or shoulder
- Shortness of breath
Other symptoms may include irregular heartbeat or feeling unusually tired. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the less common symptoms.
If you think you may be having a heart attack, immediate attention is crucial. Don’t hesitate ... call 911 immediately. Making the call could save your life.
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