February is Heart Health Month

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Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of American women, claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year. That is almost twice as many as all forms of cancer.

The American Heart Association reminds us to use the "Life's Simple 7":

• Get Active
• Eat Better
• Lose Weight
• Stop Smoking
• Control Cholesterol
• Manage Blood Pressure
• Reduce Blood Sugar

Heart attack symptoms: Know what signals a Medical Emergency:

• Chest discomfort or pain
• Upper body pain (shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw)
• Stomach pain
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting

Heart attack symptoms vary widely. For instance, you may have only minor chest pain while someone else has excruciating pain. One thing applies to everyone, though: If you suspect you're having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't waste time trying to diagnose heart attack symptoms yourself. For more information or resources to check out:

• www.americanheart.org
• www.mayclinic.com