Heart Problems: Not What You See on Television

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue PM/FF Jeff Wildes

Everyone has seen the TV shows when someone has a heart attack, the patient experiences sudden onset of chest pain that radiates into their left arm signaling the immediate medical crisis. Although some people have symptoms like these, many heart attack victims experience signs completely different.

Women and people with other medical conditions – such as diabetes – may experience symptoms that mask signs they are suffering a heart attack. Common signs typically are:

• Chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes.
• Discomfort in the upper body including arms, neck, jaw, back and stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness.

However, you may instead experience symptoms that in and of themselves do not seem serious, such as weakness, general malaise or indigestion.

If you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately. NEVER DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE HOSPITAL!!! Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue serves the community with trained medical professionals who are able to stabilize patients, deliver cardiac medications while transporting them to the hospital and obtain critical baseline vital signs, including 12-lead EKG.

Preventive health measures are the best way to minimize your risk of a heart attack. Assessing and changing your risk factors include controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol, quit smoking, taking steps to reach a healthy weight, choosing heart healthy foods, and knowing your family history of cardiac problems. It may take time and effort, but you can significantly reduce your heart attack risk. Your doctor can help you assess your individual situation and work with you to lower your risk.

For more information visit the American Heart Associations website at www.americanheart.org.

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