Simple Tips To Save Your Life

01/25/08 Disease Basics

The American Heart Association announced deaths due to heart attack and stroke have decreased by 25 percent since 1999. Much of the decrease is attributed to better and more immediate treatment. So how do you make sure you get the right treatment? Use these simple tips:

Know the Signs:
A simple three question quiz can help determine if you are having a stroke:
    Can you smile?
    Can you say your name?
    Can you raise both hands over your head?
If you have trouble doing any of the three it is time to call 911.

Heart attack symptoms can be more difficult to distinguish, especially for women. Any unusual discomfort in the chest, abdomen, back, torso, shoulders, neck, or jaw should be evaluated, especially if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, racing heart, cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, or sleeplessness.

Go to the Emergency Room:
The best and quickest way to rule out a heart attack or stroke is to go to the emergency room. You will need blood work, heart monitoring, an x-ray, and other tests which can be done efficiently at the hospital. Visiting your doctor’s office is not enough and he or she will likely send you to the hospital anyway.

Call the ambulance:
People arriving by ambulance are treated more quickly in the emergency room. In addition, the paramedics can begin your treatment as soon as they arrive on the scene. Driving yourself to the hospital will not only delay treatment but also could be very dangerous if you lose consciousness behind the wheel.

Speak up:
Declare loudly and often, “I am having a heart attack,” or “I think I’m having a stroke.” Demand tests to rule out heart and stroke issues and don’t leave until you have received a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Know where to go:
Know which hospitals in your area are stroke centers and which offer the best in heart care. The American Stoke Association provides a listing of stoke centers by state.

The most important thing to do in a heart or stroke emergency is to act quickly. The more time you wait to seek treatment the less opportunity you have for survival and recovery.

Of course, the best way to survive a heart or stroke emergency is to avoid having one. Healthy lifestyle habits such as being active, eating well, and managing stress will reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

For more Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Busy People visit Eliz’s blog at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.

Eliz Greene survived a heart attack at age thirty-five while seven-months pregnant with twins. She is a heart health educator, freelance writer, and speaker on a mission to help busy people lead healthier lives.