going deeper

There are a number of risk factors you can’t do anything about including age, ethnicity, gender and family history. However, risk factors that are within your power to change are:

• Smoking

• High Cholesterol

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Being Overweight

• Physical inactivity

• Poor Nutrition and

• Poor Mental Health

Some people who experience the symptoms of a heart attack mistakenly ignore the signs, thinking that it’s something less serious that will pass. Common signs include:

• Chest Discomfort: pressure, squeezing, burning or pain in the center of the chest.

• Upper Body Discomfort: discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach

• Other Signs: Cold sweats, shortness of breath, nausea and lightheadedness

Women may experience different symptoms than men and are more likely to experience fatigue, nausea or weakness instead of typical chest pain.

Don’t attempt to tough out the symptoms of heart attack. Many people who experience a heart attack have warning signs hours or days in advance. If you or a loved one notices any signs, please call 911 immediately. 

Want a night on the town in Washington, D.C.? Take Adventist HealthCare’s fast, FREE heart health risk assessment this February to learn your risk for heart disease and enter for your chance to win a two-night getaway in Washington with tickets to the Kennedy Center.