FACT: Many Nova Scotians who die each year of heart attacks could have been saved if they had reached help within two hours of the first signs of a heart attack.
KNOW THE SIGNALS… KNOW HOW TO TAKE ACTION TO SAVE A LIFE.
Who is at risk of a heart attack?
Factors which increase your risk of heart attack include smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, family history, gender, aging and diabetes.
How can I reduce my risk?
- See your doctor regularly
- Control your blood pressure
- Be cautious about birth control pills
- Eat heart-healthy foods
- Exercise regularly
- Be smoke-free
- Learn to relax
- Maintain a healthy weight
Know the signals of a heart attack
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Heaviness, pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning
- In the centre of the chest or may spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, arm and back
- May be sudden and severe, or
- May not be severe
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting, indigestion
- Paleness, sweating, weakness, lightheadedness
- Feelings of extreme anxiety, denial or fear
These signals may come and go.
One or any combination of the above may mean a heart attack.
It is natural to deny that these signals may mean a heart attack.
Take action!
If you experience any of these signals or notice them in others;
- Stop activity, sit or lie down.
- If you have nitroglycerine, take it as prescribed
- Call “911″ to get help.
DON’T WAIT
DON’T FEEL EMBARRASSED
SAVING TIME SAVES LIVES!
