Healthier Hearts Across Hawaiʻi
February is national American Heart Month! For Hawaiʻi residents, heart disease is the number one cause of death. It is important to raise awareness around this issue and learn what we can do to care for our hearts. Heart disease is a broad term used to describe specific diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertensive heart disease.
Ischaemic heart disease is characterized by a restriction or reduction of blood flow in a part of the body. In this case, the heart’s arteries are narrowed and therefore less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. The blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack.
Make sure you know the signs of a heart attack.
- Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, or discomfort that goes away and comes back
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in other areas of the upper body which can include the jaw, the back, neck, stomach, or arms
- Other signs such as nausea, cold sweats, or lightheadedness
If you or someone is experiencing a heart attack, act immediately. Call 9-1-1. Each second counts.