February is American Heart Month, and that means it’s a good time to brush up on all things cardiovascular. In this piece, we’re going to share an overview on how to identify a cardiovascular medical emergency, such as a heart attack or a stroke. Then, we’ll share some advice on how to lower your risk of such events, yourself, by making a few heart-healthy lifestyle choices. It’s advice that we hope you can use all year long; one day, these insights could even help save a life.
Heart attack and stroke 101
First things first: a heart attack and stroke are both medical emergencies. When a person is experiencing a heart attack or stroke, every single moment is critical. Even seconds could mean the difference between life and death, or contribute to lasting damage. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, so you know to call for help. Read on to understand more about what a heart attack is, what stroke is, and when to act.
What is a heart attack?
When the flow of blood to the heart is blocked, a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs. A heart attack is a symptom of heart disease, which is responsible for one in four deaths each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Witnessing it—and experiencing it—can be scary. But if you know what to look for, you’ll have a plan of action.
Symptoms of a heart attack
While the Hollywood version of a heart attack is dramatic—think, clutching chest, sensations of elephant-like pressure—in real life, symptoms of a heart attack can range from mild to severe. In fact, someone can have no symptoms—one in five heart attacks is silent. If you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Mayo Clinic says to look out for these heart attack symptoms:
- A sense of pressure, tightness, squeezing, aching or pain in the chest or arms, which spreads to the neck, jaw or back
- Heartburn, indigestion, nausea or pain in the abdomen
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking into a cold sweat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Keep in mind that a heart attack can manifest differently in women vs. men. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), women are more likely to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain when they have a heart attack. Still, AHA say, the most common symptom for both genders is chest pain or discomfort.
What is a stroke?
When the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, a stroke can occur, leading to the death of brain cells. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S., and also a leading cause of disability. Three different types of stroke include ischemic stroke (caused by a clot), a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by a ruptured blood vessel), and a transient ischemic attack, aka a mini stroke (caused by a temporary clot).
Symptoms of a stroke
There are a number of warning signs to look for in the case of stroke, which you can remember by remembering the acronym F.A.S.T., according to American Stroke Association. If you see the following signs, call 911 immediately:
F: Face drooping. Does the person’s face look uneven? If you ask them to smile, does one side of the mouth look differently than the other?
A: Arm weakness. Is the person experiencing a weak or numb arm? If asked to raise both arms, are they having difficulty holding one up?
S: Speech difficulty. Are they slurring their speech?
T: Time: If they are experiencing any of the above, it’s time to call 911.
In addition, the following signs could indicate that a person is having a stroke, according to the CDC. Again, if you see the following signs call 911 right away:
- A new sense of numbness in the face, arm, or leg, often on one side of the body
- Abrupt confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty making sense
- Unexpected difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes
- Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance, dizziness or lack of coordination
- Rapid onset of a severe headache
Steps you can take to prevent heart attack and stroke
Now that you know the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, it’s important that you know something else: you may be able to decrease your risk for both of these by making healthy lifestyle choices and changes in your life. See, heart disease and stroke are both cardiovascular diseases. The risk for cardiovascular disease increases in people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and people who smoke. By increasing your physical activity, improving your diet, quitting smoking and managing stress, you can lower your risk of ever experiencing a heart attack or a stroke—and you can encourage your loved ones to do the same. To do that, here are some basic goals the American Heart Association shares and encourages people to strive for:
- Stop using tobacco. When you quit using tobacco (whether smoking, vaping or chewing) and avoid second-hand smoke, you’re doing your cardiovascular system a favor.
- Move more, sit less. Exercise is good for your heart, as well as your waistline. Try and incorporate at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of the two) into your routine each week.
- Eat a healthy, varied diet. When choosing what to eat, aim for lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins (nuts and legumes; fish and seafood; low-fat and non-fat dairy; lean and unprocessed poultry and meat). Avoid processed foods and foods and drinks with added sugar, and limit your alcohol consumption to one drink a day or less if you’re a woman and two if you’re a man.
To ensure that you’re on a healthy path, talk to your health care provider. He or she can give you an assessment based on your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, family history and personal health history. Make regular appointments to discuss any health concerns and to design a personalized diet and physical activity plan that can help you feel your best.
