Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/34007
Against Heart Attacks Fighting Back For women in the United States, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death, claiming more lives than all types of cancer combined. A heart attack inspired Stacy Strong, 39, of West Jordan, to spread the word about this health threat. S Know the Signs Persistent chest pressure. Shooting pain in the left arm. While many people may recognize these symptoms as signs of a heart attack, women often experience completely different — and frequently misinterpreted — symptoms. The most common signs of a heart attack in women include: Cold sweats. ·· ···· · Discomfort or pain in the arms, back, jaw, neck, upper stomach or shoulders. Dizziness. Excessive fatigue. Nausea. Persistent discomfort, pain or pressure in the chest area. Trouble breathing. 3 tacy, who was 38 at the time of her cardiac incident, was active in showing jumper horses and had no family history of heart problems. On Father’s Day in 2010, Stacy gasped and was suddenly unresponsive. Her husband, Rick, immediately called 911 and performed CPR, which contributed to saving her life. By the time emergency medical services (EMS) responders arrived, Stacy’s heart had entered into a torsade rhythm, a rare variation of ventricular tachycardia — an abnormally fast heart rate — that accounts for about 5 percent of cardiac deaths in the United States each year. Because Rick had already performed CPR, EMS professionals immediately proceeded with shocking Stacy until her heart resumed a normal rhythm. “In my opinion, one of the real heroes in this story is Rick,” says Christopher Roper, firefighter and paramedic with the South Jordan Fire Department. “Rick recognized a problem and appropriately reacted by starting CPR.”