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February Is American Heart Month

Every 36 seconds someone dies from heart and blood vessel diseases, making it America's number one killer

Staff Report  /  February 16, 2012  /  Views: 70  /   No Comments

Heart disease probably has already touched you or someone you know. According to the American Heart Association, every 36 seconds someone dies from heart and blood vessel diseases, making it America's number one killer. More than 82 million American adults are estimated to have one or more types of cardiovascular disease; that is one out of every three people.

The New Lenox Fire Protection District is promoting awareness of this disease and helping prevent heart attacks by educating citizens.

For example, you should know the warning signs so you can call 911 right away. Acting quickly can save a life. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense but many are slow and silent. Some of the warning signs are:

-Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or burning pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or it can go away and return.

-Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.

-Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort or pain.

-Other signs such as breaking out into a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more other signs, do not wait, call 911 immediately.

The New Lenox Fire Protection District offers free blood pressure checks at all four stations every day to help citizens monitor their health, keep the information for their records, and for their physicians. The Fire District also holds CPR classes every first Saturday of each month at Station One.

The New Lenox Fire Foundation has raised money to purchase 12 Lead Electrocardiogram (EKG) monitors for all four Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, all four engines and the fire truck.

The 12 Lead EKG monitor allows paramedics to assess a patient with the above symptoms as soon as they arrive and are able to view the heart from 10 different angles. By viewing the heart this way, the paramedics are able to identify quickly if someone is having a heart attack, start the proper treatment, and send the information directly to the emergency room even before leaving the scene.

This technology allows the hospital staff to prepare for the patient and even send them straight to surgery upon arrival to the hospital.

For further information regarding the New Lenox Fire Foundation Save-a-Life program or to attend a CPR class contact New Lenox Fire Station One at 815-463-4500 or visit its website www.nlfire.com, www.nlfdfoundation.org, or see us on facebook.

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