Know the signs of coronary heart disease…

…from an article by the World Health Organization Worldwide, a substantial number of men and women who have coronary artery disease die within 28 days after experiencing symptoms; of these, two-thirds die before reaching a hospital. It is critical that everyone recognizes the warning signs of a heart attack, which may include: Chest discomfort.  Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breath.  Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort. Other symptoms.  May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness. Women account for nearly half of all heart attack deaths.  As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. If you feel that you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, do not delay. Minutes matter!  Call 9-1-1 immediately.  While waiting for an ambulance, chew one adult-strength (325 mg) aspirin tablet:  Aspirin reduces the risk of death by up to 23% if administered when a heart attack is suspected, and for 30 days thereafter. The use of aspirin as a heart attack first aid could potentially save 10,000 lives each year. “3.8 million men and 3.4 million women worldwide die each year from coronary heart disease.” — World Health Organization