Heart Disease is a group of conditions that affect the heart and surrounding blood vessels. Heart disease is also called cardiovascular disease. Heart disease can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms
- Chest Pain
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Pain in jaw, back, or neck
- Pain in one or both arms and shoulders
- Shortness of breath
Call 911 if you think someone may be having a heart attack
Stroke Signs and Symptoms
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you think someone is having a stroke act F.A.S.T
- (F)ace: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- (A)rms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- (S)peech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
- (T)ime: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away. Note time symptoms started.
What Causes Heart Disease?
Heart disease is caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other risk factors.
How do I prevent heart disease?
There are several steps you can take to help prevent heart disease and prevention stroke. Two key things you can do are to eat healthy (PDF) and make sure you are getting the right level of physical activity. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about heart disease or stroke.
Contact
To learn more, email annette.c.smith@maine.gov