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Keeping your
hands clean is one
of the best ways to
prevent the spread of
illness. Check out our
handwashing infographic at
www.samaritanhealthcare.com/
cleanhands.
DON’T PLAY THE
WAITING GAME
Take heart attack symptoms seriously
CHANCES ARE,
you’ve heard this before: “I’m
as serious as a heart attack.” People say it when
they want you to pay close attention—which is
exactly what you need to do if you have symptoms
of a heart attack.
A heart attack happens when blood flow to
a section of heart muscle is abruptly blocked. If
blood flow isn’t restored ASAP, the affected muscle
begins to die. Acting quickly can prevent or limit
damage to the muscle—and save your life.
That’s why it’s crucial to get immediate emer-
gency care if you’re having symptoms of a heart
attack. The three most common ones are:
●
●
Chest pain.
●
●
Upper-body discomfort, such as pain in your
back, jaw, neck, shoulders or stomach.
●
●
Shortness of breath.
Other signs of a heart attack include breaking out
in a cold sweat, feeling unusually tired for no rea-
son, and feeling sick to your stomach and vomiting.
NEVER WAIT AND WONDER
According to the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, more
than 1 million people every year in the U.S. have
a heart attack. And many of them don’t make it
to the hospital in time to get help.
Some people wait to act because they’re embar-
rassed they might be mistaking indigestion for a
heart attack. Don’t be one of those people! Let a
medical professional diagnose you. Nobody in the
emergency department will think less of you if it
turns out you’re not having a heart attack.
Health experts are as serious as a heart attack
when they offer this advice:
●
●
Call 911 if you’re having symptoms of a heart
attack. Don’t wait in the hope you’ll soon feel
better.
●
●
Don’t drive yourself to the hospital. Emer-
gency medical services personnel can start
lifesaving treatments right away.
ALWAYS MAKE THE CALL FIRST
What’s
the first thing to do if you think you’re
having a heart attack? If you said, “Take
an aspirin,” guess again.
According to the American Heart
Association, you should:
●
●
Always call 911 before doing any-
thing else. Don’t make the mistake
of thinking that your chest pain
may go away if you just take
an aspirin. Waiting to call 911
could be deadly.
●
●
The 911 operator may recom-
mend that you take an aspirin as
long as you don’t have an aspirin
allergy or a health condition that
makes taking the drug too risky.
Additional source: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
Our emergency staff is
trained to immediately treat
heart attacks. Samaritan
Emergency Department
is open 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
At a glance:
A cold versus the flu
Any way you cut it, catching a cold or the flu is a pretty crummy deal. And even though
they’re different illnesses, the symptoms can be similar. So telling them apart sometimes
takes a bit of detective work on your part. The following chart may help you sort it out.
By far the best way to help prevent the flu is to get immunized as soon as the vaccine
becomes available each fall. Vaccines can be given as shots or as a nasal spray—your
doctor can help you decide what’s right for you.
You can also reduce your risk of catching a cold or the flu by washing your hands, espe-
cially before touching your face. And as much as possible, try keeping your distance when
someone’s ill.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
YOU MIGHT HAVE:
IF YOU HAVE:
A cold.
(Symptoms are usu-
ally milder than those
of the flu and come
on gradually.)
Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, scratchy throat, hacking cough.
Watery eyes.
Mild headache.
Mild fever (more common in children than in adults).
Light body aches.
The flu.
(Symptoms often hit
suddenly—and can
really knock you
down.)
High fever (102 degrees or above).
Muscle aches and chills, extreme tiredness, sore throat.
Severe cough.
Headache.
Upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea (all more common in chil-
dren than in adults).
Stuffy nose (sometimes a symptom).
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T H E
S A M A R I T A N