Blog

February is American Heart Month! Did you know that every 40 seconds someone in the US has a heart attack? Today on the blog we’ll be exploring heart attacks- what causes them, how to prevent them, and warning signs to look out for. 

What exactly is a heart attack? 

• A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This prevents the heart from getting enough blood to function.  

What are the risk factors? 

• Family history of heart attacks 
• Poor diet, especially a diet high in sugar, fat, and salt/sodium 
• Diabetes 
• Obesity/being overweight 
• High blood pressure 
• High cholesterol 
• Smoking 
• Drinking too much alcohol 
• Using tobacco (including chewing tobacco and vaping) 
• Drug abuse 
• Stress (be sure to check out the blog next week when we look at managing stress!) 

What are the symptoms of a heart attack? 

• Men and women experience heart attacks differently. Women are more likely to die from heart attacks because their symptoms are different.  
• Men 
  • Chest pain, especially pain that spreads/radiates 
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Nausea/indigestion  
  • Anxiety 
  • Heart palpitations 
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy 
  • Sweating  
• Women 
  • Chest pressure 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Weakness 
  • Fatigue 
  • Clammy sweat 
  • Dizziness 
  • Nausea/vomiting  
  • Pain in the jaw 

What can I do to prevent heart attacks? 

• Eat a heart-healthy diet (click here for a shopping list from health.gov) 
• Drink alcohol in moderation 
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Stay active 
• Quit smoking 
• Manage your stress  
• Talk with your doctor about your risk of heart attacks