(NAPSA)—Did you knowthat a woman suffers a heart attack every minute in the United States? Don’t be included in that statistic. It helps to be aware of how totell whether you’re having a heart attack and what to do if you are. Here, from the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH)are tips that can help you educate yourself on the subject: Howto Tell According to an American Heart Association survey, only half of women recognized chest pain and pain in the arm, neck and shoulders as symptoms of a heart attack. That’s why the Make the Call, Dont Miss A Beat campaign aimsto educate, engage and empower women and their families to recognize the seven symptoms of a heart attack that most commonly present themselves in women. Theseare: 1. Chest pain, discomfort, pressure or squeezing; 2. Shortness of breath; 3. Nausea; 4, Light-headedness or sudden dizziness; 5. Unusual upper body pain, or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach; 6. Unusualfatigue; 7. Breaking out in a cold sweat. Many women have such symptoms occasionally. New symptoms or a change in pattern of symptoms—they’re stronger, last longer or occur with less physical effort than usual—arecause for concern. What To Do This part is simple: If you or someone you know seems to be having such symptoms, get medical help right away. Call 9-1-1. “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Our goal is to make @e vt its 94428 @ @ aH a 2 ove & MAKE THECALL @ Women with heart attack symp- toms should call 9-1-1 to getlifesaving treatmentin time. certain that women recognize heart attack symptomsand take action by calling for help immediately.” “The delay in treating women who don’t get emergency care quickly is a matter of life and death,” said Dr. Lori Mosca, profes- sor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, and director of preventive cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “This delay may be for many reasons. Some women told us they didn’t know they were having a heart attack, or they thought their symptoms would not be taken seriously. Others were busy taking care of others and delayed seeking medical attention for days. Women need to understand that delay may cost them their lives,” said Dr. Mosca. “We want women to understand just howcritical it is to call 9-1-1,” said Lisa M. Tate, chief executive officer, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. “First responders wantto help. Do your part and makethat call to 91-1 if you suspect a heart attack, so that they can get you the help you need as quickly as possible.” Learn More The new initiative’s website is womenshealth.gov/heartattack. You can also go to www.face book.com/HHSOWHand http:// twitter.com/#!/womenshealth.
