02 | 26 | 2008 Posted By Regan Zambri & Long

February is American Heart Month: Know the Signs, Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke

February is American Heart Month, but a report issued this month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that alarming numbers of adults do not recognize the warning signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes. 

The study, conducted in 14 states, revealed that in general, men (22.5%), black people (16.2%), Hispanic people (14.3%), and those with less than a high school education (15.7%) are the least likely to recognize the major signs that someone is having a heart attack.  Perhaps consequently, they are also the least likely to call for emergency assistance when they witness someone having a heart attack.  Because heart attack and stroke victims are incapacitated, they rely on others to recognize the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular events.

Among the most likely to call for emergency assistance were women (30.8%), white people (30.2%), and those with higher educations (33.4%). 

According to researchers, approximately 920,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year.  Among those who experience fatal heart attacks, 50% die within an hour of their first symptoms, before they ever reach the hospital.   

Following are the signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes, courtesy of the American Heart Association:

"Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the 'movie heart attack,' where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

  • 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 Warning Signs
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.   
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.   
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.   
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause."

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

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