| In
the wake of the recent death of a New York EMT worker, the Heart Institute
of Continuum Health Partners offers these tips for identification
of heart attacks: |
 |
| |
| Know
the signs of a heart attack: |
| • |
Squeezing
sensation, pressure of pain in the chest |
| • |
Dizziness,
fainting, nausea, sweating |
| • |
Shortness
of breath or weakness |
| • |
Radiating
pain to shoulders, neck, jaw, arms or back |
| If
you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, do not delay treatment: |
| • |
Call
911 or your local emergency number immediately |
| • |
Tell
the ambulance dispatcher that you are having chest pains or "having
a heart attack" |
| • |
Get
to the hospital as quickly as possible, do not wait or delay treatment |
| • |
If
going by private care is faster–do not drive yourself–have
someone drive you |
| • |
Take
one Aspirin. Be sure to tell the emergency medial staff and doctor
that you have done so. This may sound strange, but aspirin will help
in "thinning" your blood and can help in preventing the clot from
getting larger. |
| • |
Damage
to the heart muscle can be minimized using new therapies–if begun
within the first few hours of symptoms. |
| With
several more snowstorms predicted for the winter, the following four
suggestions may help in the prevention of heart attacks while shoveling
snow: |
| • |
Be
mindful of your physical condition. If you are not accustomed to exertion
all year round, shoveling snow should be no exception. |
| • |
If
heart disease runs in your family, you are at greater risk regardless
of your current physical condition. So, if other options are available
to you such as snow blowers, snowplows, or snow removal services,
consider one of these before doing it yourself. |
| • |
If
you must shovel, it should be done in 10-minute intervals. |
| • |
If
you feel the slightest discomfort while shoveling, stop immediately
and call 911. |
For further information on the clinical, technological and innovative
excellence of the Continuum Heart Institute, call (212) 420-HEART.
|