RTD DISEASE
MANANGEMENT NEWSLETTER
Healthy Heart Disease Management
Heart Attack, Stroke
& Cardiac Arrest
Warning Signs
www.americanheart.org
Act in Time
The American Heart Association and the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a
new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's
awareness of heart attack and the importance of
calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart
attack symptoms.
Dial 9-1-1 Fast
Heart attack and stroke are life-anddeath emergencies -- every second
counts. If you see or have any of the
listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1. Not all
these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke.
Sometimes they go away and return. If some
occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and
stroke victims can benefit from new medications
and treatments unavailable to patients in years
past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop
some heart attacks and strokes in progress,
reducing disability and saving lives. But to be
effective, these drugs must be given relatively
quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first
appear. So again, don't delay -- get help right
away!
Statistics
Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer.
Stroke is No. 3 and a leading cause of serious
disability. That's why it's so important to reduce
your risk factors, know the warning signs, and
know how to respond quickly and properly if
warning signs occur.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden
and intense — the "movie heart
attack," where no one doubts
what's happening. But most heart
attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.
Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong
and wait too long before getting help. Here are
signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
 Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks
involve discomfort in the center of the
chest that lasts more than a few
minutes, or that goes away and comes
back. 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. May occur with or
without chest discomfort.
 Other signs: These may include
breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or
lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart
attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.
But women are somewhat more likely than
men to experience some of the other common
symptoms, particularly shortness of breath,
nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
If you or someone you're with has chest
discomfort, especially with one or more of the
other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes
(no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-11... Get to a hospital right away.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to
get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical
services staff can begin treatment when they
arrive -- up to an hour sooner than if someone
gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also
trained to revive someone whose heart has
stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by
ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the
hospital, too.
If you can't access the emergency medical
services (EMS), have someone drive you to the
hospital right away. If you're the one having
symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have
absolutely no other option.
Stroke Warning Signs
The American Stroke Association says these are
the warning signs of stroke:
 Sudden numbness or weakness of the
face, arm or leg, especially on one side
of the body
 Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or
understanding
 Sudden trouble seeing in one or both
eyes
 Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss
of balance or coordination
 Sudden, severe headache with no
known cause
If you or someone with you has one or more of
these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or
the emergency medical services (EMS) number
so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life
support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time
so you'll know when the first symptoms
appeared. It's very important to take immediate
action. If given within three hours of the start of
symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce longterm disability for the most common type of
stroke.
Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and
without warning. Here are the signs:
 Sudden loss of responsiveness. No
response to gentle shaking.
 No normal breathing. The victim does
not take a normal breath when you
check for several seconds.
 No signs of circulation. No movement or
coughing.
If cardiac arrest occurs, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR
immediately. If an automated external defibrillator
(AED) is available and someone trained to use it
is nearby, involve them.
Wellness Staff: Jim Jacobsen x 3148; DeAnna Mathis x3145
Wellness Website: www.rtd-denver.com/wellness
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the
heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure (or
hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic
pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.
High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease
(which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it's present with other
risk factors.
High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it's more
common among people over age 35. It's particularly prevalent in African
Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and
women who are taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history
of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to
have high blood pressure, too.
American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels
Blood Pressure Category
Normal
Prehypertension
Systolic
(mm Hg)
Diastolic
(mm Hg)
less than 120 and
less than 80
120–139
or
80–89
140–159
or
90–99
High
Stage 1
Stage 2
160 or higher or 100 or higher
*Your doctor should evaluate unusually low readings.
What does high blood pressure do to your body?
High blood pressure adds to the workload of your heart and arteries. Your heart must pump harder, and the
arteries carry blood that's moving under greater pressure. If high blood pressure continues for a long time,
your heart and arteries may not work as well as they should. Other body organs may also be affected. There
is increased risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney failure and heart attack. When high blood
pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke
increases several times.
What is Cholesterol?
Most health-conscious Americans know that high cholesterol is a leading risk factor for coronary heart
disease. However, many people may not know what cholesterol is, what it does or even how to control
cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the liver and also supplied in the diet through animal products
such as meats, poultry, fish and dairy products. Cholesterol is needed (in the body) to insulate nerves, make
cell membranes and produce certain hormones. However, the body makes enough cholesterol, so any
dietary cholesterol isn't needed.
Why should you care about your cholesterol level?
High cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like
substance) in your blood, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of your arteries. This build
up is called plaque. Over time, it causes "hardening of the arteries" so that arteries become narrowed and
blood flow to the heart is slowed down. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and
oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is
completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack. Heart attacks most commonly occur when
plaques become fragile and rupture. Then blood clots are formed and can completely cut off blood supply to
a portion of the heart.
Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to
have a blood test called a "lipoprotein profile" to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done
after a 9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about your:
 Total cholesterol <200 is optimal
 LDL (bad) cholesterol - the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries <130
is optimal. Unless you have a family history of heart disease – then<100 is optimal.
 HDL (good) cholesterol - helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries >60 is optimal
 Triglycerides - another form of fat in your blood <150 is optimal
Contact the RTD Wellness staff for your FREE blood lipid and glucose panel screening.
RTD Wellness
Jim Jacobsen x3148
DeAnna Mathis x3145
Mail code: PLT-Wellness
Staff Hours: 8am-4:30pm
RTD Rehabilitation
Glenys Henderson x 3149
Daniel Pinto x3144
7am-4:00pm M-F
Website
www.rtd-denver.com/wellness
Wellness Staff: Jim Jacobsen x 3148; DeAnna Mathis x3145
Wellness Website: www.rtd-denver.com/wellness