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Stroke And Heart Attack Symptoms

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Signs & Symptoms Of A Heart Attack And Stroke

Signs & Symptoms of Heart Attack or Stroke

Not all heart attacks and strokes begin with the sudden, crushing pain you often see on TV or in the movies. Many heart attacks start slowly as mild pain or discomfort. Learn the common warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. Remember, if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke, act quickly and and ask to be taken to the ER at St. Josephs Hospital.

Heart Attacks And Strokes During The Coronavirus Pandemic

While the world focuses on coronavirus, there appears to be a trend developing that is of great concern: hospitals are seeing fewer patients with heart attacks and strokes.

At one of the Lifespan hospitals, we have witnessed a 33 percent reduction in patients with heart attacks during March 2020 compared with the same month the three years prior. In speaking to our colleagues around the region, country and world, we have heard similar reports, with some observing up to a 70 percent reduction.

Anecdotally, many of us have observed that during the coronavirus outbreak, when patients with heart attack and stroke do present to the hospital, they do so much later in the course of the event, after more damage has occurred. As a consequence, they are much sicker and less likely to survive once they arrive at the hospital.

How Are Stroke And Heart Attack Related

Stroke and heart attack are both potentially deadly medical problems. They affect different organs but share common risk factors, cause of injury and treatment options.

A heart attack occurs when blood vessels supplying part of the heart become blocked, usually by a clot. The lack of oxygenated blood leads to damage or death of heart tissue. Similarly, a stroke or “brain attack,” occurs when a vessel supplying part of the brain is suddenly blocked, causing death of brain tissue. Stroke and heart attack are often associated because the same risk factors apply to both.

Because blocked vessels are the common cause of injury in these disorders, treatment is focused on removing the blockage and allowing blood to flow. Depending on the situation, this might be accomplished with the use of clot-busting medications or a procedure that involves inserting a catheter into the blood vessel and trying to physically remove the blockage. For these treatments to be effective, it is important to recognize the symptoms of stroke or heart attack and immediately call 911. Faster treatment means better long-term outcomes.

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Chris Fountain Says He Felt Really Stupid After Mini

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Strokes have an unpredictable nature but they can sometimes start showing symptoms in the days leading to the medical emergency. The popular depiction usually includes face drooping on one side or the person being unable to speak, but the first red flags might be less obvious. In fact, one warning sign strikes in your arm or leg.

Gender Diversity And Common Emergency Symptoms

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People who identify as trans, non-binary or gender diverse may wonder which symptoms they should be on the lookout for in an emergency. You should always talk to your doctor about your specific situation and medical history to get their advice and an assessment of your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. As a general rule, if the symptom is unusual, severe, or long-lasting you should seek medical attention early. If you think you could be having a heart attack or stroke, call triple zero for an ambulance immediately, even if you dont think you have stereotypical symptoms.

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What Is The Difference Between A Stroke And A Heart Attack

Both heart attacks and strokes occur suddenly and require immediate medical attention. But when the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke abruptly appear, will you know how to tell the difference between the two?

Both result from a lack of blood flow to critical body parts: a stroke is caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain, while a heart attack is caused by a blockage in blood flow to the heart. The first aid treatments for each emergency differ. Taking immediate action can mean the difference between survival and recovery, or severe damage for a patient.

If you suspect someone is having a heart attack or stroke, call 911 to receive emergency medical help immediately. Understanding the symptoms of each can help you know what to do until help arrives.

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Stroke Vs Heart Attack: Difference You Should Know

Heart attack and stroke are two of the most life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention. Both of these can occur unexpectedly, and you must understand their differences.

These two conditions are caused by insufficient blood flow to specific bodily organs. Blood flow blockage to the brain is known as a stroke. Blockage of blood flow to the heart is known as a heart attack.

Each of these conditions has a unique therapy, and patients capacity to live, recover, or prevent serious harm depends on how promptly they receive medical attention.

The present post discusses stroke vs. heart attack. It also intends to uncover which is worse.

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What Should I Do To Treat A Transient Ischemic Attack

If your stroke symptoms go away after a few minutes, you may have had a transient ischemic attack , also sometimes called a mini-stroke. Although brief, a TIA is a sign of a serious condition that will not go away without medical help.

Unfortunately, because TIAs clear up, many people ignore them. But paying attention to a TIA can save your life. If you think you or someone you know has had a TIA, tell a health care team about the symptoms right away.

Stroke Vs Heart Attack: Pathophysiology

Stroke and Heart Attack Signs: Emergency Tips from RWJUH Rahway

A stroke occurs when the brain fails to receive adequate blood supply, it might abruptly deteriorate or cease functioning. Neurons in the brain that do not receive adequate blood flow are deprived of glucose and oxygen.

Neurons are responsible for delivering impulses thus, they require a continual energy source. It can result in paralysis, inability to speak, or blindness. Ischemia alters the brains blood flow, biochemistry, and nerve function.

An intricate series of abrupt, short-term, and long-term events will occur following a stroke. Ischemic injury is characterized by energy failure, loss of cellular ion homeostasis, acidosis, increased intracellular calcium excitotoxicity, free radical-mediated toxicity, and pathological permeability of the blood-brain barrier .

After ischemia, it takes around 30 minutes for attracted leukocytes to activate inflammatory mediators in the ischemic area. Mediators consist of oxygen free radicals, cytokines, and nitric acid. Stroke causes brain injury by initiating the ischemic cascade, which results in a deficiency of oxygen or glucose in the affected area. It hinders the formation of high-energy phosphate molecules.

As a result, the brain cannot properly function, impairs energy-dependent processes essential for tissue cells survival, and initiates a series of events resulting in cellular structures destruction and death. Depending on its duration, severity, and location, stroke can cause varying degrees of damage.

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How Does Your Doctor Check Your Risk

Your doctor can check your risk for a heart attack and stroke by assessing the number of risk factors you have. Your doctor will look at things like your cholesterol, blood pressure, and your age and race.

Your doctor might use a tool to calculate your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke in the next 10 years. There are different tools that doctors use. These tools are not perfect. They may show that your risk is higher or lower than it really is. But these tools give you and your doctor a good idea about your risk.

Knowing your risk is just the starting point for you and your doctor. Knowing your risk can help you and your doctor talk about whether you need to lower your risk. Together, you can decide what treatment is best for you.

Symptoms Vary Between Men And Women

As with men, womens most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

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Preventing A Heart Attack

There are 5 main steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a heart attack :

  • smokers should quit smoking
  • lose weight if youre overweight or obese
  • do regular exercise adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, unless advised otherwise by the doctor in charge of your care
  • eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet, including wholegrains and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
  • moderate your alcohol consumption

Monday 25 October 2021

Common Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke

Did you know that common emergency symptoms can differ for men and women? Often chest pain is thought to be the most common symptom for a heart attack and it is common in men. However, only about half of all women who have a heart attack actually report having chest pain.

Early treatment is critical for both heart attacks and strokes, two of Australias biggest killers. Knowing the common emergency symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention could save your life or save your loved one.

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Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack Or Stroke

Sometimes the signs of a heart attack or stroke are obvious. Sometimes they aren’t. Here are lists of the “classic” and not-so-classic signs of each. If you If you notice one or more of the signs below in yourself or someone else, or you’re really worried that you or someone you are with is having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Better safe than sorry.

What Are The Benefits Of Getting The Covid

For anyone with existing heart conditions or risk factors, its extremely important to keep the body free from the ravaging effects of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control states that the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the known and potential risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, the vaccine will provide immunity against the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Stay up-to-date on your eligibility to receive the vaccine from your local county health department by checking out PeaceHealths vaccine information community web pages.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke in the days of COVID-19 have never been more important.

As more becomes known about the effect of COVID-19 on our health, damage to the heart and vascular system top the list of concerns of medical professionals for patients of all ages.

COVID-19 sometimes causes misery and a range of symptoms. Sometimes it goes undetected. All the while it might be causing hidden problems in the body such as inflammation that can show up later. This inflammation can occur in various tissues throughout the body including the heart and circulatory system. This could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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Dont Hesitate To Call 911

Learn the signs for heart attack, and remember: Even if youre not sure its a heart attack, have it checked out.

Minutes matter. Fast action can save lives – maybe your own.

if you experience heart attack warning signs. Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.

An emergency medical services team can begin treatment when they arrive up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.

For many reasons, its best to call 911 so that an experienced EMS team can begin treatment and arrange rapid transport to the emergency room.

Heart Disease And Stroke

Seek emergency care if experiencing symptoms of heart attack, stroke

More than 877,500 Americans die of heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases every year. Heart disease and stroke are the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States.

CDC supports programs that help millions of Americans control their high blood pressure, prevent risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and reduce health disparities, which are differences in health across different geographic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. These efforts have helped lower death rates from heart disease and stroke.

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Increased Risk In Women

Whilst symptoms for men and women are often the same for a stroke, women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke and have a number of gender-specific risk factors. Many of these risk factors for stroke also increase womens risk of heart disease. In Australia, 9 in every 10 women have one risk factor for heart disease, and half of all women have 2 or 3 risk factors.

Factors which specifically increase womens risk of stroke include:

  • Migraines with visual aura such as flashing lights, blind spots, difficulty focusing on things this is a risk, especially if combined with smoking and the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy.
  • Some types of the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy used to treat menopausal symptoms can increase the likelihood of blood clotting and so increase the risk of stroke in some women.

Other risk factors for stroke and heart disease affecting women include:

What Women Need To Know About Strokes And Heart Attacks

When Andrea, a 35-year-old Nashville, Tennessee, woman called 911 because she thought she was having a heart attack, the emergency medical technicians told her she was likely just experiencing a bout of anxiety.

They made me walk outside, down my driveway to the ambulance. They never turned on the sirens or lights and stopped at every light on the way to the hospital, she told Today.

But Andrea was not having an anxiety attack. Instead, it was discovered she had experienced a major cardiac event as a result of a spontaneous coronary artery dissection, an uncommon condition that can affect otherwise healthy individuals.

The delay in my care caused me to have severe heart damage and heart failure that I am still living with she said.

While Andreas condition is rare, her experience with emergency care is not. When it comes to serious health conditions like heart attack and stroke, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and receive delayed care.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Heart Attack

If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
  • As with men, womens most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
  • What Can You Do

    Stroke And Heart Attack Warning Signs Stock Photo

    If you suspect someone may be having a stroke, call 911. Keep the patient safe from falls, and monitor them closely while you wait for emergency medical services. Make a note of the time the symptoms began and be as accurate as possible this information can be helpful for medical personnel when they administer treatment.

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    When Do I Do If Someone Else Has A Heart Attack

    An easy-to-use device called an AED is available in many public places and can be used by almost anyone to treat cardiac arrest. This device works by shocking the heart back into a normal rhythm.

    Hereâs how to use an AED:

    1. Check responsiveness

    • For an adult or older child, shout and shake the person to confirm whether theyâre unconscious. Do not use AED on a conscious person.
    • For an infant or young child, pinch their skin. Never shake a young child.
    • Check breathing and pulse. If absent or uneven, prepare to use the AED as soon as possible.

    2. Prepare to use AED

    • Make sure the person is in a dry area and away from puddles or water.
    • Check for body piercings or outline of an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
    • AED pads must be placed at least 1 inch away from piercings or implanted devices.

    3. Use AED

    For newborns, infants, and children up to age 8, use a pediatric AED, if possible. If not, use an adult AED.

    • Turn on the AED.
    • Plug in connector, if necessary.
    • Make sure no one is touching the person.
    • Push the âAnalyzeâ button.
    • If a shock is advised, check again to make sure no one is touching the person.
    • Push the âShockâ button.
    • Start or resume continue compressions.
    • Follow AED prompts.

    4. Continue CPR

    Your Blood Type Could Indicate Your Heart Attack Risk And Here’s Why

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and research shows people with specific blood types are at higher risk of heart attack and heart failurein certain cases, up to 51% more likely to experience serious health conditions. Blood types A, B, and AB have an 8% higher chance of heart attack, 10% increased risk of heart failure, 51% increased chance of deep vein thrombosis, and 47% more likely to develop a pulmonary embolism. But why is this the case? Dr. Douglas Guggenheim, a hematologist with Penn Medicine, believes this increased risk can be explained by the proteins in blood types A, B, or AB, which cause inflammation and more blockages/thickening in veins and arteries.

    Meanwhile, people with blood type O have a lower risk of blood clots but a higher risk of bleeding disorders. “Determining someone’s blood group is relatively easy, low in cost and widely used,” says Hilde Groot, MD. “General practitioners might use this information in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and medical professionals can consider including blood group information in future trials for risk and treatment approaches.”

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