Heart Health

An estimated 650,000 Pennsylvanians, ages 35 and over, have been told by a doctor that they’ve had a heart attack, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

In the January 2010 Patient Poll conducted by the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society, 34 percent of those surveyed said they’d know they were having a heart attack because their chest and arms would hurt.

Not necessarily so, says C. Richard Schott, MD, a Philadelphia-area cardiologist and Pennsylvania Medical Society member. “Pain isn’t always an indictor. Any new pressure or discomfort in the upper body can signal a heart attack.”

Warning signs

Dr. Schott urges patients to pay close attention to these heart attack warning signs:

Pressure or discomfort in the chest/upper body
Discomfort radiating to the left arm, jaw, back, neck or stomach
Shortness of breath
Sweating, nausea, dizziness

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s best to call 911 right away.

“Err on the side of caution and assume it may be a heart attack. The longer you wait, the more damage is done to your heart.” Dr Schott also notes, “And the only ride you should take to the ER is in an ambulance—they can alert the cardiac team in advance of your arrival and, if your heart stops, emergency personnel can begin treatment immediately.”

Patient Poll Data
Question	Please answer "True" or "False" to each of the following statements.
Results	Statement	True	False
	Heart disease can start while you are still a teenager.	95.5%	4.5%
	A little alcohol is good for the heart.	71.9%	28.1%
	Two eggs contain more than the daily recommended allowance for cholesterol intake.	49.7%	50.3%
	If you ever have a heart attack, you’ll know because your chest and arms will hurt.	33.7%	66.3%
Conducted	January 2010
Margin of Error	5.67%
Eligibility	Pennsylvania adults 21 or older
Survey Consultants	Taylor Brand Group

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Last Updated: 2/12/2010

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