heart-healthy diet that is low in (NAPSA)—Forty-one-year-old Michelle Melvin was celebrating Mother's Day with her family when pain shot through her jaw and upinto her temples. Then her arms went numb. At first, Michelle ignored the sensation and proceeded tofill her children’s plates with food. It was- n’t until the pain and numbness returned multiple times that she told her husband that something was wrong. Her family chimed in with the usual remedies: Maybe you're hungry? Maybe you should lie down? Drink some water? Michelle called Kaiser Perma- nente’s 24-hour advice hotline for guidance. After explaining the odd sensation in her jaw and arms, the nurse on duty advised her to Michelle Melvin called Kaiser Permanente’s 24-hour advice hotline for guidance when she experienced symptoms of a heart attack. sort of crushing chest pain where people grab their chest like you see on TV.” go to the hospital immediately: Michelle's husband rushed her to their local Kaiser Permanente tomsof a heart attack. Michelle closely. When Michelle’s Michelle was describing sympKnowing the symptoms of a heart attack saves lives, and according to Kaiser Permanente hospital, where doctors monitored tests came back, they proved the nurse right—Michelle had experienced a heart attack. cardiologist Julie Sutherland, It is easy for many women who M_D., womenoften experiencedif- are busy with family and work ferent symptoms than men do. responsibilities to ignore the first “They might experience shortness signs of a heart attack. Because of breath; they might experience Michelle followed her intuition decrease in their exercise toler- and sought treatment right away, Sutherland. “It might not be the by staying active and eating a ance; they might experience neck or jaw pain,” explained Dr. she fared well. Now fully recov- ered, she keeps her heart healthy cholesterol, saturated fat and salt. Seeking helpat thefirst signs of a heart attack can prevent death and shorten recovery time. For questions or advice about a specific condition, always consult with your physician. Tb learn more about heart health, please visit www.kp.org. Also visit Kaiser Permanente’s CareStories blog to see a video about Michelle Melvin’s story at www.kp.org/carestories. Symptomsof Heart Attack for Women Jaw pain Shoulder pain Left arm pain *Shortnessof breath Sweating Chest pain Burning or numbness in back or shoulders Symptomsof Heart Attack for Men Pressure, tightness, squeezing, crushingsensation or intense burningfeelingin the chest that lasts more than five minutes Dizziness * Shortness of breath Sweating * Irregular heartbeat
