Don't miss a beat!

Happy Leap Day! As we bid good bye to February and Heart Health month, don't forget what the signs of a heart attack are for women. Think you already know what it is? Does it sound like this:
Of course you know what a heart attack looks like:

• The victim stops what they're doing.
• Their eyes open wide.
• They clutch their chest, make some funny noises, and then they collapse to the floor. Right?

Wrong.

This is a prime example of a "Hollywood Heart Attack". Remember, don't believe everything you see on TV. In reality, heart attacks are often much tougher to spot from a distance...that's why it's important to know what the signs and symptoms look like—knowing how to spot them can be the difference between a loved one living and dying. Learn about what the real symptoms are for women. Www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/ has some excellent information listed about the signs includinga fun interactive picture that looks like this:

I encourage you to check it out and click on the photos from 1-7. Its a great visual. Until then, read about the real symptoms below. The first step toward surviving a heart attack is learning to recognize the symptoms. The most common signs of heart attack in both women and men are:

• Unusually heavy pressure on the chest, like there's a ton of weight on you

  Most heart attacks involve chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. It usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It may even feel like heartburn or indigestion.

• Sharp upper body pain in the neck, back, and jaw

  This symptom can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of stomach (not below the belly button). Pain in the back, neck, or jaw is a more common heart attack symptom for women than it is for men.
  

• Severe shortness of breath

  This symptom can come on suddenly. It may occur while you are at rest or with minimal physical activity. You may struggle to breathe or try taking deep breaths. Shortness of breath may start before or at the same time as chest pain or discomfort, and can even be your only symptom.

• Cold sweats, and you know it's not menopause

  Unexplained or excessive sweating, or breaking out into a "cold sweat," can be a sign of heart attack.

• Unusual or unexplained fatigue (tiredness)

  Sudden and unusual tiredness or lack of energy is one of the most common symptoms of heart attack in women, and one of the easiest to ignore. It can come on suddenly or be present for days. More than half of women having a heart attack experience muscle tiredness or weakness that is not related to exercise.

• Unfamiliar dizziness or light-headedness

  Unlike in the movies, most heart attacks do not make you pass out right away. Instead, you may suddenly feel dizzy or light-headed.

• Unexplained nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) or vomiting

  Women are twice as likely as men to experience nausea, vomiting, or indigestion during their heart attack. These feelings are often written off as having a less serious cause. Remember, nausea and vomiting may be signs that something is seriously wrong, especially if you have other symptoms.

If you have any one of these symptoms and it lasts for more than five minutes, call 9-1-1 for emergency medical care. Even if your symptoms go away in less than five minutes, call your doctor right away—it could be a sign that a heart attack is coming soon. Don't waste time trying home remedies or waiting for the feelings to pass on their own. Remember, quick treatment can save your life!

Yours in Health and Wellness,

Brandy