Love is in the air in February! Everyone is getting excited to show their significant others how much they care with treats, cards, and gifts on Valentine’s Day. While you’re expressing love this February, learn how you can take care of your heart as well as others!
Valentine’s Day may have you reaching for a box of chocolates, but there are so many better options! Instead of candies this year, try celebrating by cooking a healthy meal together with fresh fruit for dessert or by taking a couple’s yoga class instead of going to a movie with an extra large buttered popcorn. It’s fun to mix up the normal date night routine and being healthy doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you love, small adjustments make a big difference. Your heart and your date will thank you for choosing the healthier options on Valentine’s Day.
The best way to protect the people you love and yourself is to know the heart attack warning signs and what to do in an emergency. Do you know the heart attack warning signs? While it’s different for everyone, knowing these signs can get you help faster.
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Hands-Only CPR can save lives. If you’re called upon to give CPR, it will most likely be for someone you know and love at your home or work. As a bystander, don’t be afraid! Your actions can only help. When calling 911, you will be asked for your location. Be specific, especially if you’re calling from a mobile phone as that is not associated with a fixed address. Answering the dispatcher’s questions will not delay the arrival of help.
If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of any tune that is 100 to 120 beats per minute. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
Don’t let your heart break this Valentine’s Day! Learn more about Hands Only CPR at cpr.heart.org.