Symptoms of a Heart Attack

The National Heart Attack Alert Program notes these major signs of a heart attack:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the upper back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.

Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, sudden weakness or light-headedness.

If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately.

In DIABETICS symptoms may be mild. Be alert!

Please discuss the possibility of heart disease with your provider.

Prevention includes

• Excellent blood pressure control (less than 120/80)
• Excellent blood glucose control (A1c of less than 7.0 or fasting sugars below 110)
• Daily baby aspirin (81 mg)
• LDL or “bad cholesterol” below 100
• HDL or good cholesterol of more than 45
• No smoking