{"id":5719,"date":"2019-02-12T09:35:28","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T14:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/?p=5719"},"modified":"2023-05-18T15:57:03","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T19:57:03","slug":"heart-attack-and-stroke-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/heart-attack-and-stroke-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Signs and Reduce Your Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><p><strong>Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Signs and Reduce Your Risk<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>February is American Heart Month, so we are sharing important information on heart health.\u00a0According to the<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"> <a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/about-us\/your-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American Heart Association<\/a><\/span><\/span>, following a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk factors for<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\u00a0<span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/consumer-healthcare\/what-is-cardiovascular-disease\/coronary-artery-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">heart disease<\/a><\/span><\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/heart-attack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">heart attack<\/a><\/span><\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.strokeassociation.org\/STROKEORG\/AboutStroke\/About-Stroke_UCM_308529_SubHomePage.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stroke<\/a><\/span><\/span>. We&#8217;ll take a look at those lifestyle changes later, but first, let&#8217;s cover some basics.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2014\/08\/can-you-recognize-heart-attack-or-stroke\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heart attack and stroke are caused<\/a><\/span><\/span> by interruptions to blood flow to the heart or brain. During a heart attack, the blood flow to the heart muscle is diminished significantly or cut off. During a stroke, an artery leading to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. Both can result in lifelong disability or prove fatal, so it&#8217;s important to take the warning signs seriously. Here are a few signs to be aware of:<\/p>\n<h2>Heart Attack Signs<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/heart-attack\/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The American Heart Association<\/a><\/span><\/span> says the following are warning signs of a heart attack:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Chest pain or discomfort<\/strong>&#8211;which can be a sense of fullness, pressure, or squeezing&#8211;is felt in the center of the chest and lasts more than a few minutes. It may stop and then return.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Discomfort in <\/strong>one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shortness of breath.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Developing a <strong>cold sweat;\u00a0<\/strong>feeling <strong>nauseated<\/strong> or <strong>lightheaded.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the event of heart attack warning signs, it is best to call 911 as it is the fastest way to get care. The EMS team can begin administering treatment as soon as they arrive and patients receive treatment faster going to the hospital by ambulance rather than by car.<\/p>\n<h2>Stroke Signs<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsinhealth.nih.gov\/2014\/08\/can-you-recognize-heart-attack-or-stroke\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\">The National Institutes of Health<\/span><\/span><\/a> says the following are signs of a stroke:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sudden<strong> numbness or weakness<\/strong> of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body).<\/li>\n<li>Sudden <strong>severe headache, dizziness, confusion.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Sudden <strong>balance, speech,\u00a0<\/strong>or <strong>vision<\/strong> difficulties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.strokeassociation.org\/STROKEORG\/WarningSigns\/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Stroke Association<\/a><\/span><\/span> uses the acronym FAST to help identify a stroke:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>F<\/strong>: Face drooping to one side or numb; a lopsided smile.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A:<\/strong> Arm weakness or numbness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>S<\/strong>: Speech difficulties, such as slurring and\/or trouble understanding or repeating words.<\/li>\n<li><strong>T<\/strong>: Time to call 911 if you see any of these signs (even if they go away).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cdc.gov\/publichealthmatters\/2017\/05\/think-its-a-stroke-4-reasons-its-better-to-call-9-1-1-than-drive-yourself-to-the-hospital\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">According to the CDC<\/a><\/span><\/span>, it&#8217;s important to call 911 rather than going to the hospital by car in the event of stroke as it gets patients to the hospital faster, gets them treatment sooner, allows timely medication administration, and possibly transports them to a hospital that specializes in stroke treatment.<\/p>\n<h2>6 Lifestyle Changes to Support Heart Health<\/h2>\n<p>There are quite a few ways to lessen your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Some uncontrollable factors like age and genetics can influence your risk, but many other factors <em>can<\/em> be controlled. Consider making <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/heart-attack\/life-after-a-heart-attack\/lifestyle-changes-for-heart-attack-prevention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">these lifestyle changes<\/a><\/span><\/span>:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/healthy\/stay-away-from-tobacco\/guide-quitting-smoking.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quit smoking<\/a><\/span><\/span> and encourage others in your household to do the same. Drinking too much can raise blood pressure and increase heart and stroke risk, so <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/alcohol-and-heart-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">consider following these <\/a><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/alcohol-and-heart-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recommendations for alcohol intake<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>2. Eat a healthy diet and exercise.<\/h3>\n<p>Diet is directly linked to many conditions that increase heart risk, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, legumes, and nuts while limiting red meat, junk food, and sweets. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The American Heart Association recommends<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0getting at least 2.5 hours of physical activity a week. Read more about the importance of physical activity in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/65-older-better-get-moving-to-stay-young\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\">previous post here.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>3. Control cholesterol.<\/h3>\n<p>Cholesterol &#8212; which is fat lodged in your arteries &#8212; could trigger a heart attack or stroke. To reduce it, lower your intake of <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/fats\/saturated-fats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">saturated fat<\/a><\/span><\/span> and\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/fats\/trans-fat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trans fats<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and exercise regularly. If these changes don&#8217;t lower your cholesterol enough, your doctor may prescribe medication.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Lower your blood pressure.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">High blood pressure<\/a><\/span><\/span> is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. To lower your blood pressure, reduce your salt intake, increase your physical activity and talk to your doctor about medication.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Watch your weight.<\/h3>\n<p>Obesity increases the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/diabetes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">diabetes<\/a><\/span><\/span>, all of which heighten the risk of heart disease. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/losing-weight\/5-steps-to-lose-weight-and-keep-it-off\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steps to losing weight<\/a> <\/span><\/span>include watching portions and creating realistic goals.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Manage diabetes.<\/h3>\n<p>People with <a href=\"https:\/\/knowdiabetesbyheart.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\">diabetes are twice as likely<\/span><\/span><\/a> to develop and die from heart disease, heart attack or stroke, so it&#8217;s extremely important to follow the treatment plan your doctor has prescribed. Regularly ensure your <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/diabetes\/prevention--treatment-of-diabetes\/know-your-health-numbers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">blood sugar is in a healthy range<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>We offer home accessibility products including roll-in showers and wheelchair lifts, as well as accessories to help make homes easier to live in.\u00a0<\/em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #286cba;\"><strong><em><a style=\"color: #286cba; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Contact us<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><em>\u00a0to learn more!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Signs and Reduce Your Risk February is American Heart Month, so we are sharing important information on heart health.\u00a0According to the American Heart Association, following a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk factors for\u00a0heart disease, heart attack and stroke. We&#8217;ll take a look at those lifestyle changes later, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5721,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[98,142],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle-for-aging-in-place","category-health-and-well-being-for-aging-americans"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5719"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7231,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5719\/revisions\/7231"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomshowers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}