Heart disease, also called coronary heart disease, contributes to half of the deaths from cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and blood vessels). Heart disease includes both heart attacks and chest pain (angine pectoris). Each year in the U.S. there are an estimated 565,000 new heart attacks and 300,000 recurrent heart attacks. About 340,000 people die each year before they get to the hospital or the emergency room. Many deaths can be prevented by recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack and acting quickly, as well as occasionally having a heart screening to detect any early warning signs.
Although some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Often people aren't sure what is wrong and wait too long before getting help. Scheduling a preventive heart screening can help to detect any early warning signs of a heart attack.
Warning Signs of Heart Attack
- 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. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light headedness
Women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Source: American Heart Association web site www.americanheart.org
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