attacks

Holiday strokes and heart attacks

Take steps to reduce your risk and know the warning signs

By the staff at Allen County Regional Hospital

The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it also poses a greater health risk with increased heart attack and stroke incidents across the country. It’s important to take steps to help reduce your risk and understand the warning signs should a stroke or heart attack occur.

Reduce Your Risk

Avoid emotional stress. Shopping for presents. Planning get-togethers. Family in town. The holidays bring about a lot of stress, which has a negative effect on your health. Avoid the last-minute rush and don’t overload yourself with too many commitments.

Try not to overindulge. With all the festivities, it’s easy to get carried away eating foods with higher fat, sodium, and alcohol content. While this is a time to enjoy yourself, make a plan to eat and drink in moderation and stick to it.

Remember medications. Holiday travel or other changes in your regular routine may cause

you to forget important medications. Be sure to pack your prescribed medications when you’re away from home and be vigilant about taking them on time.

Exercise, not exertion. While we all benefit from regular exercise, especially over the holidays, it’s important to not over-exert yourself. Stick to your exercise routine, and when that winter storm rolls in, ask for help. Even walking in heavy snow can be strenuous—and shoveling snow can put a dangerous strain on your heart.

Don’t delay health care. It’s easy to put off your own health this time of year, but if you’re not feeling right, make an appointment with your provider and get checked out. Taking precautions early can stop a heart attack or stroke in its tracks.

Know Warning Signs

During a stroke, 32,000 brain cells die every second. During a heart attack, significant time without proper treatment can lead to more damage and slow recovery. Speed is crucial. Someone experiencing a medical emergency will benefit from quick thinking and action on your part. Everyone should know how to spot the warning signs of heart attack and stroke, and here are two easy ways to help you remember. (See graphics at bottom of this and previous page.)

Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms appear. Every minute counts.

This holiday season, be mindful of the increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Take steps to avoid common triggers for yourself and your loved ones, study the warning signs, and be prepared to respond quickly.

It’s always best to avoid an unexpected trip to the emergency room, but Allen County Regional Hospital and our team of board-certified physicians and staff are ready 24/7 if you need care.

Expert Emergency Care, Right Here in Allen County

Not all communities have access to specialty-trained physicians. Our ER physicians are board certified in emergency medicine, so when an emergency happens, each of our doctors applies more than 10,000 hours of specialized medical training and experience to treat you—and potentially save your life. If an emergency happens, don’t delay. Trust the experts at Allen County Regional Hospital.

Learn more 620-365-1000 saintlukeskc.org/Allen-ER