February is Heart Awareness Month

untreated sleep apnea

February is Heart Awareness Month

Did you know that untreated sleep apnea can lead to many heart issues like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke and A-Fib? For Heart Awareness Month, here are some warning signs for heart attacks and strokes. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms: Call 911.  Knowing the signs of a heart attack or stroke may save you or your loved one.

 

Source: American Heart Association Website 2022

 

HEART ATTACK:

CHEST DISCOMFORT
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY
Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH
with or without chest discomfort.

OTHER SIGNS
may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

 

STROKE:

FACE DROOPING
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

ARM WEAKNESS
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH DIFFICULTY
Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

TIME TO CALL 911
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.