WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HEART ATTACKS.

(If you're having chest pains now, stop reading this and CALL 9-1-1).

According to the American Heart Association, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Those who are experiencing the symptoms may not know what's happening. Here are some signs:

• Chest discomfort. This may feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other parts of the body. This includes pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach (severe "indigestion" high up in the abdomen).
• Shortness of breath.
• Cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness.

Heart attack risk factors:

• The older you are the higher your risk.
• Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.
• Smoking. More than TWICE the risk of a non-smoker.
• High blood pressure.
• Overweight.
• Diabetes.
• Stress.
• Alcohol use.
• Sedentary lifestyle.

For more information: www.americanheart.org.

Sign-up for a CPR course from the GWGVFD. It may save a life.