What You Need to Know to Prevent Heart Disease

• What are my/my children's risk factors for heart disease?
• Should I lose weight?
• How will menopause impact my risk of heart disease?
• What kind of physical activity is right for me?
• What are my blood pressure and cholesterol levels? What is considered normal for my kids?
• What can I/we do to lower my/our risk of heart disease?

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack: What You Need to Know

Heart disease progresses slowly, and there are often no symptoms until the disease is well under way. This is why it's never too early to think about integrating heart healthy habits into your life and your children's lives.

However, you should know the warning signs of a heart attack and what to do if you or someone you know experiences them. Heart attack signs may include:

• Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, especially in men
• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Unusual fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Breaking out in a cold sweat or feeling clammy
• Light-headedness
• Indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting

Many heart attacks start slowly, as mild pain or discomfort in the chest. While men typically experience tightness in the chest, arm pain and shortness of breath—the "classic" signs of a heart attack—women are more likely to have other signs, including nausea, overwhelming fatigue and dizziness. Men are more likely to have heart attacks at an earlier age.

If you suspect you or someone else in your family may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Every minute matters.