Warning Signs of a Heart Attack Senior Health-Bauberger

Heart Attacks Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, like in a movie Most heart attacks come on slow and the signs and symptoms increase over time Heart attack = myocardial infarction

Early Warnings of a Heart Attack Pain almost always accompanies a heart attack The pain can range from a mild ache to unbearable severity When severe, pain can be felt as constriction on the chest, burning sensations, or bloated sensations with indigestion Pain can come in a number of combinations

Early Warnings of a Heart Attack Pain can be: –Localized mid-chest or upper chest –Mid-chest, neck, and jaw –Inside arms (left arm and shoulder more common than right) –Upper abdomen –Chest, neck, jaw, and inside of arms –Lower center of neck to upper neck and the jaw from ear to ear –Inside right arm from armpit to elbow, inside left arm to waist –Between shoulder blades

Early Warnings of a Heart Attack Difficulty breathing Palpitations (Irregular and forceful beating of heart) Nausea Vomiting Cold Sweat Paleness Weakness Anxiety None of these symptoms are conclusive of a heart attack but the more that are present, the more likely it is

How to Help a Victim Help victim to least painful position (usually sitting with legs bent) Loosen clothing around neck and midriff If patient retains consciousness, make sure victim is carried, not walked, to hospital or help

Heart Attack Risk Factors Risk factors you can’t change: –Increasing Age –Gender (male) –Heredity Risk factors you can change: –Tobacco smoking –High cholesterol –High blood pressure –Physical Inactivity –Obesity and Overweight –Diabetes Other factors that can contribute to heart attack risk: –Stress –Alcohol use –Diet and nutrition

Case Study A 75 year old man has recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol. He drinks a couple of beers every night but doesn’t worry about his health because he exercises every morning. What risk factors does this man have?

Case Study Sarah is 50 years old and recently just completed her 3 rd marathon. She loves to run and finds that it helps to relieve her stress from work. Sarah has been especially stressed lately after losing her father to a heart attack. What risk factors does Sarah have? Which can she control and which can she not control?

Case Study Rob just turned 68. He was a well-known college athlete but stopped playing sports after developing a smoking habit. Rob decided to weigh himself after many years of ignoring his weight and was shocked to read the scale at 289 lbs. What risk factors does Rob have? Which factors can he control and which can he not control?

Case Study Jane just returned home after being in the hospital for 3 days due to a severe heart attack. The doctor advised her to “take it easy”. Jane’s first trip upon leaving the hospital was to Burger King where she picked up a Whopper with cheese. She also made sure to order an unsweetened iced tea, a smart decision considering her diabetes. What risk factors does Jane have? Which can she control and which can she not control?

Case Study Joe woke up today with a slight neck pain. After deciding he probably slept on it wrong, he took some advil and went to work. About an hour later, Joe feels some pain in his left arm and his neck feels tighter than before. What should Joe do?

Case Study Mary woke up on Tuesday with what she assumed was heartburn. Tums didn’t seem to help, but Mary went for a run anyway. Soon Mary’s indigestion increases and she develops some pain above her stomach. What should Mary do?

In class assignment: In one paragraph, write a description of someone with at least 3 heart attack risk factors. Use what we have learned about factors that can and can’t be controlled. Once you are done, switch case studies with the person next to you. Circle the risk factors in the description and identify which can be controlled and which cannot be controlled.

References ml?identifier=500http:// ml?identifier=500 Attack-Prevention.html