AMERICAN HEART MONTH AMERICAN HEART MONTH

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a steep rise in cardiovascular disease deaths in the U.S., with especially high mortality rates for Asian, Black and Hispanic people, according to a new statistical report from the American Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease-related deaths jumped from 874,613 in 2019 to 928,741 in 2020, the largest single-year increase since 2015, according to the 2023 update to AHA’s heart disease and stroke statistics. The number of deaths surpassed the previous high of 910,000 in 2003. Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease, stroke, heart failure and hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

CATCH THE SIGNS EARLY

Don’t wait to get help if you experience any heart attack warning signs. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but others start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

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

Shortness of breath. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.

Warning Signs Of A

STROKE

Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot a Stroke

F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?

T = TIME TO CALL 911

OTHER STROKE SYMPTOMS

Watch for Sudden: NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech

TROUBLE SEEING, in one or both eyes

TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

SEVERE HEADACHE, with no known cause www. heart.org

WHAT IS THE BEST DIET FOR A HEALTHY HEART?

WHAT IS THE BEST DIET FOR A HEALTHY HEART?

Control your portion size. How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Select whole grains. Limit unhealthy fats. Choose low-fat protein sources.

Control your portion size. How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Select whole grains. Limit unhealthy fats. Choose low-fat protein sources.