Heart attacks in 20-, 30-, and 40-year-olds, male and female, are rising at a rate of 2% per year. Yet nearly half of those under age 45 don’t think they’re at risk.
Would you know if you were having a heart attack? Some symptoms are sudden and intense, and others start slowly, with mild discomfort. Here is how a few survivors describe their experience:
- Greg (25) felt severe chest pain and numbness in his arm after martial arts practice. He thought he just needed rest.
- Tim (30) had a few days of fatigue and shortness of breath and thought he had pneumonia.
- Joe (35) had severe chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and a sense of impending doom.
- John (42) sensed a sudden onset of pain in the center of his chest and assumed it was heartburn.
- Mindy (41) had back pain, shortness of breath, and nausea for days but dismissed it as soreness from exercise.
Up to 80% of heart attacks are preventable, simply by practicing heart-healthy habits:
- Develop a healthy lifestyle: Avoid tobacco, get regular exercise, sleep seven or more hours/night, eat a heart-healthy diet, and lose weight if you need to.
- Get regular preventive care: Tell your doctor about your family health history, control your blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent diabetes if you can, and manage chronic conditions. The Plan covers recommended preventive services received from an in-network provider at 100%.
90% of people say they gain weight over the holidays and most double their drinking.
Sources: Innerbody, Beverage Daily
Call 911 immediately if you experience chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes (it may go away and then return); pain in one or both arms, your back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; or nausea, lightheadedness, or are breaking out in a cold sweat.