FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: IT'S TIME FOR A HEART TO HEART

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By Sam DiGiovanna

February 16, 2015 (San Diego)--If your husband has chest pain you’d call 911. However, many women may not recognize signs of heart attacks themselves. Did you know that heart attack symptoms in women can be quite different from men's. Heart disease is often thought about as a man’s disease, but recent studies show that heart disease is actually the number one killer of women in America.  Yet acting quickly is vitally important.

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"Getting immediate, appropriate care is the single most important thing you can do to lessen the damage of a heart attack," says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Call 911 immediately!

Why? "Because within the first few hours after a heart attack, if untreated there is a higher risk of fatality. Continue reading below...

Every minute of delay means more heart muscle is damaged.”

Symptoms of a Heart Attack – In both Men and Women: May include but not limited to squeezing chest pain or pressure. Shortness of breath. Sweating. Tightness in chest. Pain spreading to shoulders, neck, arm, or jaw. Feeling of heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting. Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness.

Symptoms More Likely in Women: Indigestion or gas-like pain. Dizziness or nausea. Unexplained weakness or fatigue. Discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades. Recurring chest discomfort. Sense of impending doom. Any of these signs seek immediate help.

Your Action Plan: Call 911 immediately. Give CPR if the patient is not breathing. Get to the hospital quickly. The longer it takes to get treated, the more badly damaged the heart will be. If you don't know CPR, find a class and sign up. It's easy to learn, and it can save lives after a heart attack.

Contact your Doctor for a Heart to Heart and visit: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

February is National Heart Awareness Month!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Note: The information in this article was compiled from various sources. These suggestions are not a complete list of every preventative or loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace additional safety manuals or the advice of another qualified professional(s). We make no guarantee of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.

 

 


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