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Section 2: Heart Disease and
Stroke
Heart disease and stroke-the main components
of cardiovascular disease-are leading causes of death for
both men and women in the United States and account for nearly
40% of all deaths.
Over 927,000 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each
year, which amounts to 1 death every 34 seconds. Heart disease
and stroke are also the main causes of adult deaths in Canada.
By 2020 heart disease and stroke will become the leading '
''' cause of both death and disability worldwide, with the
number of deaths projected to increase to more than 20 million
a year.
Everyone should know the signs and
symptoms of heart attacks and stroke and the importance of
calling 9-1-1 quickly; almost half (47%) of heart attack victims
and about the some percentage of stroke victims die before
EMS personnel arrive. Family members of victims who have had
a recent heart attack should toke CPR training and be familiar
with the use of an automated external defibrillator (A.ED).
Employers should consider the use of AEDS at their worksites
to reduce the time to defibrillation with the goal of improving
survival.
All designated responder who respond to victims with chest
pain and/or suspected cardiac arrest should be trained to
use an AED.
Risk
Factors
The major independent risk factors
for heart disease and stroke are high blood pressure and high
blood cholesterol. A 12-13 point reduction in blood pressure
can reduce heart attacks by 21%, strokes by 37% and al1 deaths
from cardiovascular disease by 25%.
You can lower your risk for cardiovascular
disease by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Eat a healthy diet to prevent or reduce high blood pressure
and high blood cholesterol.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Control your alcohol intake.
Don't smoke.
Exercise as directed by your doctor.
Lose weight if you are overweight or
Obese.
Acute
Coronary Syndromes (Heart Attack)
The major complications of cardiovascular
disease are acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
This is a term that applies to a number of conditions and
symptoms ranging from unstable angina to myocardial infarction
(heart Attack). ACS occurs when the heart does not get enough
oxygenated blood flow. lf the blood flow to the heart is cut
off, a part of the heart will die, causing disability or death.
ACS is the cause of sudden cardiac arrest in most adult victims.
Caution:
The absence of chest pain, especially
in diabetics, women and the elderly does not mean that the
victim is not at risk. Unusual symptoms of a heart attack
include headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness, hiccups,
and belching. Do not downplay the seriousness of the potential
problem.
Heart Attack
Signs and Symptoms
There is a wide range, from slight to severe.
Chest pain or a dull discomfort behind the breastbone that
may or may not spread to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath
Weakness, nausea, dizziness.
Heavy sweating.
Fear of impending doom (feeling like something extremely bad
is going to happen but not sure what.)
Uncertainty and embarrassment
Denial-victim often refuses to accept or believe he or she
may be having a heart attack. This can delay treatment and
increase the risk of death.
Heart Attack First Aid
Have the victim sit down and rest
quietly.
Loosen any tight clothing.
If the victim has a known heart condition, help them take
their medication. Usually, this is nitroglycerine, placed
or sprayed under the tongue.
If the chest discomfort/pain is unimproved
or worsens five minutes after one dose has been taken, call
9-1-1 immediately.
If the chest discomfort/pain is unimproved
or worsens five minutes after one dose has been taken, call
9-1-1 immediately.
If the victim does not have a history
of an aspirin allergy, listen to if the 9-1-1 operator recommends
the victim chew an aspirin while awaiting the arrival of EMS
providers.
If an aspirin is recommended, help
the victim take it. The usual dose is a half or whole adult
aspirin tablet (162 to 325 mg) chewed and swallowed.
If it’s available and you are
properly trained, give emergency oxygen.
Comfort, calm, and reassure the victim
until EMS arrives.
If the victim becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally,
start CPR.
Stroke (brain attack)
A stroke happens when the blood supply
to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood
vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces
surrounding the brain cells. Brain cells die when they no
longer receive Oxygen and nutrients from the blood or there
is sudden bleeding into or around the brain. Limiting the
extent of brain damage caused by a stroke depends on early
treatment in the hospital. Early treatment depends strongly
on the victim, family members or bystanders recognizing the
signs and symptoms and activating EMS.
Risk Factors for Stroke
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Smoking
High cholesterol level
Heart disease
Stroke
Signs and Symptoms
Sudden numbness or weakness of the
face, an arm, or a 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.
Mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack-TIA) Same symptoms
as a stroke,
but these only last for a few minutes.
Stroke First
Aid
If you suspect a stroke, ask the victim to,
1. Smile
2. Raise both arms
3 Speak a sample sentence.
If the victim has any trouble with these three tasks, they
may be having a stroke.
Alert EMS or Initiate your Emergency Action Plan immediately!
If it's available and you are properly trained, give emergency
oxygen.
Comfort, calm, and reassure victim.
CAUTION:
Stroke treatments are time sensitive! .
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