American Heart Association
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Centers for Disease Control: Heart Disease

 

Publications About Heart Disease
Heart Attack Signs (English)

Síntomas de un Ataque al Corazón (Spanish)

Heart Disease Fact Sheet (Khmer)

Talk to your health care provider on your next visit about the following healthy heart topics:

• Lowering Your Cholesterol
• Managing Your Weight
• Eating Healthier
• Exercise & Fitness
• Stopping Smoking
• Heart Attack Prevention & Warning Signs

 

Main > Community Health > Cardiovascular Disease Info

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.

The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attack. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, calling 911 right away, and getting to a hospital are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have had a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of future events.

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS
The National Heart Attack Alert Program notes these major symptoms of a heart attack:

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

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. This can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

• Shortness of breath. This often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.

• Other symptoms. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat or feeling nausea or light–headedness.

If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 9–1–1 immediately.

Learn more about how to prevent heart disease and heart attack and to act in time. Ask your health care provider about heart healthy lifestyles and heart attack warning signs on your next visit.

This is information excerpted from the Centers for Disease Control.