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Redwood Area Hospital
Save a Life! Know the Signs of
Heart Attack
The most common signs of heart attack are the same for men
and women – pain or tightness in the chest (and possibly the
neck and shoulders) accompanied by profuse sweating, shortness
of breath and dizziness. But beyond these classic symptoms,
women are more likely to experience:
• Indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Pain between shoulder blades
• An anxious or nervous feeling
If you or someone you know shows signs of having a heart attack,
call 911 immediately.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Shelly Pauling,
Education & Communications Manager
RE: Calling All Women: Take Steps Now Against Heart
Disease
DATE: February 9, 2007
Charlie’s Angels star Kate Jackson underwent adult cardiac
surgery to correct a hole in her heart. Oscar-winner Patty Duke
lives with coronary heart disease. Comedic actress Phyllis
Diller suffered a heart attack in 1999, and celebrated author
Joyce Carol Oates lives with tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat.
Long thought of as a man’s disease, heart disease is beginning
to gain exposure from female celebrities. And what they’re
saying may surprise you – heart disease is a reality for women,
too.
Heart disease affects more than 8 million women in the U.S.,
killing 267,000 each year.* It’s the leading cause of death
among women – even six times deadlier than breast cancer.* Being
aware of the risks and taking steps toward better health is
vital for women in battling this potential killer.
Be Heart Smart
Some factors of heart disease are uncontrollable – a family
history of heart disease increases your risk, as does age
(women’s risk increases after age 55). The good news is that a
number of other factors can be controlled by making smart
choices on a daily basis. In fact, living a healthy lifestyle
can lower your risk of heart disease by 82%.** Take action for
better heart health now by following these tips.
Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check. If your numbers
are high, a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise could help
lower them. Contact your healthcare provider to assess your risk
and determine an individualized course of action.
Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying excess weight puts strain on
your heart and increases your risk for heart disease, even if
you have no other risk factors.
Know your risk for diabetes. Two out of three people with
diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.*** Your chance of
developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood increases if you are
overweight, physically inactive or have a family history of
diabetes.
Get regular physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of
moderate-level activity on most (or all) days of the week. Three
10-minute periods will work, too.
Eat a heart-healthy diet. Fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy
products and whole grains will do your body – and heart – good.
Quit smoking. After kicking the habit for just one year, your
risk for heart disease drops by more than half.**
You don’t need to be a celebrity to raise awareness of heart
disease. Start taking care of yourself now with a healthful
lifestyle and regular screenings. And encourage those in your
life – both men and women – to do the same.
* Source: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.
** Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
*** Source: American Diabetes Association.
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