February is American Heart Month

  • Published
  • By Air Force Materiel Command Wellness Support Center
February is American Heart Month. The National Institutes of Health reports that more than one million people in the United States have a heart attack each year. Of the people who die from heart attacks, about half die within an hour of their first symptoms and before they reach the hospital.

When a heart attack happens, delay in treatment can be deadly. It is important to learn the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack and know the single most important thing a person can do to save a life is call 911 immediately for emergency medical care.

According to the American Heart Association, warning signs of a heart attack may include:

· Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of the chest
· Upper body discomfort that extends beyond the chest to one or both arms, back, shoulders, neck and jaw
· Unexplained shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
· Other symptoms such as feeling of extreme fatigue, cold sweats, light-headedness or sudden dizziness, nausea and vomiting

Chest pain and discomfort are the most common heart attack symptoms for both men and women. But women may experience other common symptoms. These include shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back and jaw pain.

Quick action can save a life. If you or someone you are with experiences chest discomfort or other heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately. Do not wait more than five minutes to make the call. Contacting Emergency Medical Services as soon as possible will allow for the administration of clot-busting and artery-opening medications that can help stop a heart attack.

During the month of February, Hanscom's Civilian Health Promotion Services will be conducting classes on heart disease prevention and the "Warning Signs of a Heart Attack."

"Warning Signs of a Heart Attack" are scheduled on the following dates:

Classes will be held Feb. 5 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in Building 1540; Feb. 10 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Hanscom Conference Center; Feb. 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Building 1540; Feb. 18 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in Building 1614; and Feb. 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. in Building 1540.

In addition, CHPS will conduct cardiac risk profile screenings throughout the month. The screening measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, blood glucose and blood pressure.

The screenings will take place:

Feb. 3 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in Building 1600
Feb. 4 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1540 and 1102 on the third floor in the Poseidon Conference Room
Feb. 5 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1723
Feb. 10 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1630
Feb. 11 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1540 and Building 1606
Feb. 12 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1521 second floor
Feb. 17 from 3:20 to 5 p.m. at the Hanscom Sports and Fitness Center
Feb. 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1540 and Building 1812
Feb. 19 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1642
Feb. 24 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1614
Feb. 25 from 8 to 10 a.m. in Building 1540

For more information regarding CHPS activities for American Heart Month, visit www.AFMCwellness.com or contact Orlagh Pawlyk at 781-225-6377.