February is Heart Month, a full month for you to learn how to get help when you think someone may be having a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest.
The American Heart Association and the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms.
Heart attacks and strokes are life and death emergencies where every second counts. Most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.
Here are signs a heart attack is happening:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:
Click here to see a video about why getting help FAST is so important.
Norman Regional Health System’s Heart Center offers a tremendous service to the community, including $100 heart scans. The noninvasive test could save your life. For more information about heart scans and our award winning Heart Center, click here.
Contact Kelly Wells
Norman Regional Health System
Office (405) 307.2143
Fax (405) 307.2144
Email NRHS_Corporate_Communications@nrh-ok.com