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Notice to Readers: American Heart Month --- February 2002
February is American Heart Month. During 2002, an estimated 1.1 million Americans will have a first or recurrent
heart attack, and approximately 700,000 will die of heart disease. Among those who die, approximately 60% will die
suddenly before they can reach a hospital. Recognizing and responding promptly to heart attack symptoms and receiving
the appropriate artery opening treatment within 1 hour of symptom onset can prevent or limit heart damage
(1). Early defibrillation within 6 minutes is the best treatment for cardiac arrest.
The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, state and federal agencies, and many
ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø cardiovascular programs are developing and implementing activities to increase public awareness about the symptoms
and signs of a heart attack. For example, during February, the Missouri state health department will promote information
about heart attack symptoms at sporting events; the National Heart Attack Alert Program of the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute and the American Heart Association are collaborating on a nationwide heart attack education campaign, "Act
in Time to Heart Attack Signs," which promotes awareness of heart attack symptoms and the formulation between patient
and physician of a heart attack survival plan that emphasizes the importance of calling 9-1-1 as soon as symptoms begin
(1).
Additional information is available at the American Heart Association at , the
American College of Cardiology at , and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at
. Information about ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø's Cardiovascular Health Program and an interactive mapping of
heart disease mortality at state and county levels are available at .
Reference
Ornato JP, Hand MM. Warning signs of a heart attack. Circulation 2001;104:1212--3.
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Health and Human Services.
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