Meet America's Number One Killer

Will be you be a victim of America’s number one killer?

February is American Heart Month
In addition to being America’s number one killer, cardiovascular disease is also a major cause of disability. While celebrating with Valentine hearts this month, let’s be mindful of the hard-working heart that keeps us alive and give it a little TLC. Learn the warning signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Surprising Facts About Cardiovascular Disease

More than 82 million American adults are estimated to have one or more types of cardiovascular disease — that’s one in three people.
On average 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women 20 and older, killing about one woman every minute.
More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined — including all forms of cancer.
Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
Between 70 and 89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men.

A report by The Institute of Medicine finds that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger a heart attack.

Warning Signs of Heart Attack
Some heart attacks come on quickly and with intense symptoms, but most begin with mild pain or discomfort, leading victims to delay medical care. Signs of potential heart attack are:

Discomfort, pressure, or pain in the center of the chest, sometimes going away and returning later.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath.
Cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness.

The American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the American Red Cross, and the national Council on Aging have launched the Act in Time campaign to increase awareness of heart attack signs and symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1 before it’s too late. Delay could prove fatal.

Warning Signs of Stroke

Weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially if it is concentrated on one side of the body.
Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding.
Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.
Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking.
Severe headache of unknown origin.

Every second counts — heart attack and stroke are life-threatening! Seek medical care immediately.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Barbara E.

1:51PM PST on Feb 20, 2011

thanx

February 20
send a green star

Melissa M.

2:57PM PST on Feb 14, 2011

Well, I had an echo and discovered I'm one of the 6% of the population with valve disease. Mitral and Tricuspid valve disease! Wonderful. Luckily I'm perfectly healthy with my coronaries and cholesterol and weight. And I eat the right amount of chocolate every day! Ha ha

February 14
send a green star

Trish K.

1:44PM PST on Feb 11, 2011

It's that dang exercise thing with me. My grandmother had heart problems and my older sister had some a couple of years ago.
Care2,
In order to make enough points to donate you have to sit at the computer just about all day. How about making it a little faster.

February 11
send a green star

Leanne T.

10:44AM PST on Feb 11, 2011

I'm a student paramedic currently on placement. In the month I've been on shifts, so far I'd approximate 80-90% of my patients have been those with cardiac problems and/or strokes. These diseases affect both the old and the young I had a patient just 38 years of age have a massive heart attack. Do what you can as early as you can to prevent it happening to you.

Cheryl B.

5:35AM PST on Feb 10, 2011

thanks