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Serving Florida
Erik Helms
Program Director
1-877-282-2071
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Section 2 I 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.
Risk Factors
The major independent risk factors for heart disease and stroke
are hig| blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
A 12-13 point reduction in blood pressure can reduce heart
attacks by 2 1%, strokes by 37%, and all 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
Everyone must 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 patients
and about the some percentage of stroke patients die before
EMS personnel arrive. Family members of patients who have
had a recent heart attack should take CPR training and be
familiar with the use of an automated external defibrillator
(AED).
A1l healthcare providers, first responders, and professional
rescuers who respond to patients with chest pain and/or suspected
cardiac arrest should be trained, equipped with and use AEDS.
Acute
Coronary Syndromes (ACS)
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. If 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 patients.
Caution
The absence of chest pain, especially in diabetics, women
and the elderly, does not mean that the patient is not at
risk. Unusual symptoms of heart attack include headache, ringing
in the ears, dizziness, hiccups and belching. Do not downplay
the seriousness of the potential problem.
ACS Signs
and Symptoms
Wide range, from slight to severe:
- Chest pain or a dull discomfort
behind the breast bone 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-Patient often refuses to
accept or believe he or she may be having a heart attack.
This can delay treatment and increase risk of death.
ACS Treatment
Guidelines
1 Place the patient in a position of comfort.
2 Assist with the administration of the patient’s own
prescribed nitroglycerin (placed or sprayed under the tongue).
If chest discomfort/pain is unimproved or worsens, repeat
the nitroglycerine according to the doctors orders.
3 If patient does not have a history of aspirin allergy, advise
the patient to chew and swallow half or whole adult aspirin
tablet (162-325mg).
4 Administer supplementary oxygen.
5 Comfort, calm and reassure the patient.
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