A Heart Attack is an emergency. Call 9-1-1 if you experience any one of the following symptoms.
- Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, indigestion or pain
- Discomfort in other areas of the body
- Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without discomfort
- Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness or fainting
As with men, women's most common symptom for heart attack is chest pain or discomfort, but women (and people with diabetes) also are likely to experience:
- Loss or shortness of breath, not necessarily accompanied by chest discomfort
- Unusual fatigue, body aches or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, headaches, cold sweats and other flu-like symptoms
- Back or jaw pain
- Pain in the upper body — chest, shoulders, neck and back
- Upper abdominal (stomach) pressure or discomfort
- Unexplained anxiety or unease
Heart Attack Prevention Risk Assessment:
Get a jumpstart on your heart health and take our online assessment today. There are multiple risk factors for heart attack that everyone should be aware of. These include:
- Family history
- High blood pressure (140/90 and above is classified as hypertension, or high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol (240 mg/DL)
- Smoking (For smoking cessation support, visit: Colorado QuitLine, American Lung Association, or the American Cancer Society.
- Fat intake
- Previous heart attack
It is essential to be educated on what diseases run in your family, as well as the risks that come with your lifestyle choices. Many of the above risk factors can be monitored by lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and exercise. More extreme cases may require medications to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. A close-working relationship with your primary care physician is the best way to maintain control over your health!
Make a commitment today to call 911 immediately if you or anyone you know is experiencing the signs or symtoms of a heart attack or stroke.
Need a doctor? Find a great PS/L cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon.