bits
H e a lt h
®
Health
scene
Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Long Beach, CA
Permit No. 2041
d e d i c a t e d t o y o u r w e l l b e i n g
●
w i n t e r 2 0 1 3
www.losrobleshospital.com
Why the need for speed? Because time is
muscle—heart muscle, that is—and every sec-
ond without treatment means more damage to
the heart muscle.
The quicker you get to the Emergency Room
(ER), the better chance you have to lessen the
damage.
So call 911 immediately. Never drive yourself
to the ER.
Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center has
the only ER in the state certified by both Los
Angeles and Ventura counties as a designated
STEMI center for rapid heart attack response. It
is also a nationally accredited chest pain center
and stroke center.
Your 911 call puts the Los Robles STEMI
team into action—so they’re ready for you even
before your ambulance arrives.
What causes a heart attack?
A heart at-
tack occurs when the blood supply to the heart
is cut off. That’s often caused by a sudden clot
forming in a narrowed coronary artery.
Without nutrients and oxygen, the area of
the heart affected starts to die. If a large enough
section is weakened, the heart can’t pump blood
as effectively as it should. That can lead to heart
failure or even death.
Treatments that can restore blood flow and
stop a heart attack are available, but they must
be given soon after symptoms start—ideally
within an hour of the first sign of trouble.
That’s why it’s crucial for you to recognize
the signs of a heart attack and to act fast when
they occur.
Warning signs
According to the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, warning
signs include:
● 
●
Discomfort in the center of the chest. This is
the most common symptom of a heart attack.
It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or
pain that lasts more than a few minutes.
● 
●
Upper body discomfort, such as pain in one
or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
● 
●
Shortness of breath. This may occur with or
before chest discomfort.
● 
●
Breaking out in a cold sweat or feeling nau-
seated or light-headed.
Not everyone has every symptom of a heart
attack, and symptoms may come and go.
If you think you or someone else is having
a heart attack, wait no more than five minutes
to call 911. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart
attack, be safe and let a doctor decide what’s
wrong.
FEELING FAINT
If you
sometimes feel dizzy
when you stand up,
talk with your doctor.
Medicine, dehydration, a
drop in blood volume or
an infection can cause
dizziness. Your doctor
can help identify why it
happens and help you
avoid a fall.
National Institute on Aging
FIBER ON AISLE 3
If
you want to eat more
fiber, cereal can be a
good option. Buy ones
that have at least
2.5 grams of fiber per
serving. Whole-grain
cereals typically have
even more.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
CHANGE OF VENUE
Planning to quit smok-
ing? For the first few
days, spend as much time
as you can in smoke-
free public places, such
as libraries, malls, muse-
ums, gyms and theaters.
Each day you avoid temp-
tation is a victory.
American Cancer Society
Free heart health seminar! Saturday, Feb. 16,
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Reagan Presidential
Library. Call 877-888-5746.
W
atchful waiting can be a
smart strategy in certain
medical matters.
✦
A heart
attack isn’t one of them.
✦
In fact, it’s
just the opposite.
✦
When heart at-
tack symptoms appear, fast action is
required.
Start the
new year
off smart
Know the
signs of a
heart attack
1 2,3,4,5,6,7,8