Download Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms

HEART
ATTACK
Signs & Symptoms
Statistics
Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Stroke is
the No. 3 cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious
disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning
signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.
The Normal Heart
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The normal heart is a pump made of muscle tissue. It's about the size of
your fist.
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The heart has four chambers. The two upper ones are the atria, and the
lower two are the ventricles. (See diagram.) Four heart valves open and
close to keep the blood flowing in one direction as it's pumped through
the heart. Each valve has a set of "flaps" (also called leaflets or cusps).
How It Works
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Dark bluish (oxygen-poor) blood returns to the heart after circulating through the body.
Enters the right atrium.
Then goes into the right ventricle.
The right ventricle pumps blood under low pressure into the pulmonary artery.
From there the blood goes to the lungs, where it gets fresh oxygen. Oxygen-rich blood is
bright red.
Now goes to the left atrium.
Then enters the left ventricle
Then into the aorta which takes the blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
The cycle repeats as the blood flows back to the right atrium.
What is a Heart Attack?
Also known as Myocardial Infarction
Death of or damage to part of the heart muscle due to an insufficient blood supply.
Heart attacks occur when one of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the
heart muscle is blocked. Blockage is usually caused from a buildup of plaque
(deposits of fat-like substances) due to atherosclerosis. If a plaque deposit tears or
ruptures, a blood clot may form and block the artery, causing a heart attack.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most heart attacks start slowly, with
mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too
long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
•Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest, it can
feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
•Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or
discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
•Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
•Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own.
What is a Stroke?
Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the
brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is
either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood
(and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
What Are the Effects of Stroke?
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a
stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach the region that controls a particular body
function, that part of the body won't work as it should.
Learn To Recognize A Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. Know these warning signs of stroke and teach
them to others. Every second counts:
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Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one
side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience symptoms!
Time lost is brain lost!
Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning.
Cardiac arrest is the sudden, abrupt loss of heart function. Here are the signs:
•Sudden loss of responsiveness (no response to tapping on shoulders).
•No normal breathing
If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 and get an
AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if one is available and you begin CPR
immediately.
ABCs of Preventing
Heart Attack, Stroke and Heart Disease
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR
STUDENTS TO LEARN CPR:
Why should you learn CPR?
If you've ever watched a hospital show on TV, you've probably seen
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(say: kar-dee-o-pul-muh-ner-ee rih-suh-sih-tay-shun).
That's when a doctor or another rescuer breathes into someone's mouth and
presses on the person's chest. It's called CPR for short and it saves lives.
Let's find out how it works.
What Is CPR?
Cardio means "of the heart" and pulmonary means "of the lungs." Resuscitation
is a medical word that means "to revive" — or bring back to life. Sometimes CPR
can help a person who has stopped breathing, and whose heart may have
stopped beating, to stay alive.
Here's what takes place during CPR: A person giving CPR — called a rescuer — will give some
breaths to someone who is not breathing on his or her own. This is called artificial respiration
(say: ar-tuh-fih-shul res-puh-ray-shun), mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, or mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation.
How does CPR Work
If an emergency happens do your best to stay calm. First, try to get the person to respond by
gently shaking his or her shoulder and asking, "Are you OK?" If there is no response and you
are certified in CPR, you can begin CPR. (If you're alone, shout for help or call 911 yourself)
A rescuer puts his or her mouth over the other person's open mouth and blows, forcing air into
the lungs. Rescue breathing helps to move oxygen, down into the lungs of the person who isn't
breathing. After giving two breaths, the rescuer will use both hands, one placed over the other,
to press on the person's chest to move blood out of a heart that has stopped beating. These
are called chest compressions and they help move oxygen-carrying blood to the body's vital
organs — especially the all-important brain. The cycle continues until help arrives.
The rescuer can keep the person alive by continuing to supply blood and oxygen to the brain
and the rest of the body, until emergency help — like the paramedics — arrives to take the
person to a hospital.
When Should Someone Use CPR?
Someone can stop breathing and/or have cardiac arrest from:
•heart attacks
•strokes (when the blood flow to a part of the brain suddenly stops)
•choking on something that blocks the entire airway
•near-drowning incidents (when someone is under water for too long and stops
breathing)
•a very bad neck, head, or back injury
•severe electrical shocks (like from touching a power line)
•being very sick from a serious infection
•too much bleeding
•severe allergic reactions
Who Should Know CPR?
Many people — maybe you — may want to learn how to do CPR just in case they
need to use it someday. You can never tell when a medical emergency will happen
and it feels good to know that you could help.
Information Provided by:
• American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org
• Fotosearch Clip Art
www.fotosearch.com
• Kids Health
www.kidshealth.org