by Helene King
You’re enjoying a sunny day, playing with your kids. Suddenly, you’re short of breath, you have back pain and you’re sick to your stomach.
What’s happening? According to experts at the Heart Center at Sinai, you could be having a heart attack. Surprisingly, especially with women, intense chest pain is not always an indicator of an attack.
February is American Heart Month. In an effort to help raise awareness and educate women about this danger, LifeBridge Health is joining with the American Heart Association and millions of people around the country for national Go Red Day on Friday, February 5.
Employees at Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center are being encouraged to dress in red. The effort is intended to start discussions about what heart disease is, what the symptoms are and how it can be prevented.
The employee activities committee at each LifeBridge Health center is spearheading the efforts. In addition later in the month, Sinai Hospital will donate proceeds from a candy sale from its Employee Appreciation Day to the Go Red campaign. The reasoning is that women should be conscious about their hearts all year, not just for one day.
LifeBridge Health & Fitness is also celebrating a heart healthy lifestyle this month. Members are invited to a "Heart and Soles" walking club Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., and those members who wear red on Friday can bring a guest for free on Friday, February 5. Other events include a "heart smart" cooking demo and a Diet-to-Go tasting.
Cardiovascular disease is often thought of as a "man's disease." However, it is the number one killer of women, more than all cancers together.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with mild pain or pressure that can disappear and return. The other warning signs can include chest pain; discomfort in the arm, back neck or jaw; shortness of breath and nausea. Trouble breathing may happen with or without chest discomfort.
If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort, especially with any of the other symptoms, call 9-1-1 for help.
For more information about the Heart Center at Sinai, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
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