February is Heart Month

by Scott Larson

February is Heart Month According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation's No. 1 killer. To urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, since 1963 Congress has required the president to proclaim February "American Heart Month."

As it is heart month it is important that we all understand what a heart attack is, what SCA is and what a stroke is and how to react to these emergencies. No matter what the emergency it is Heart Attack, Stroke or Sudden Cardiac Arrest it is important to act in time. If you recognize any of the following signs call 911 fast. Common warning signs of a heart attack are:

• Chest discomfort in the center of the chest that may feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing fullness or pain- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. This may 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 sweet, nausea or light headedness. Just remember if you are not sure be safe and call 911.

Common warning signs of a stroke are:

• 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 know cause

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): SCA is often caused by the electrical system in your heart not working normally. The heart muscle receives impulses out of sequence causing the heart to quiver. The person will be unresponsive and not breathing. The steps of CPR should be started immediately. If you do not know how to perform CPR and you witness an adult collapse, determine if he/she is unresponsive and call 911 then start chest compressions. Place your hands on the center of the chest and compress at about a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Continue compressions until help arrives.

CPR: CPR is easy to learn and there are classes taught under the American Heart Association guidelines offered around the country. If you do not have time to take a class you can learn CPR at home. The American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR Anytime kits are available for both Adult/Child CPR and Infant CPR. Kits are $34.95 and include an inflatable manikin, DVD, booklet and accessories. All you need to do is put in the DVD
and follow along. CPR Anytime Kits are available online at www.LifeSaversInc.com. Remember, You can help save a life.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/february-is-heart-month-758412.html

About the Author: Scott is an volunteer EMT in New Jersey and works for LifeSavers, Inc. overseeing their National American heart Association CPR Training Center. The training center provides training for over 9000 people annually with over 300 affiliated instructors. Additionally Scott is currently a regional faculty member for the AHA in NJ. He has over 30 years teaching experience and over 35 years in EMS. Prior to LifeSavers, Inc. he worked for Saint Michaels Medical Center overseeing the CPR, ACLA and EMT Training programs.