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Page 22


Female Focus


For Strokes and Heart Attacks: Knowing when to act, and acting quickly are absolutely VITAL.


This month the medical team at Asociacion Amigos Europeos de Javea (AAEdJ ) has asked us to write a special article concerning the need for really fast identification and action in either a case of a stroke, or a heart attack. From some recent incidents they know the vital difference that fast identification and action can make. Strokes Identifying and treating a stroke as quickly as possible can save brain cells, function, and lives. Everyone should know the warning signs of a stroke and when to get help fast. The warning signs of a stroke can begin anywhere from a few minutes to days before a stroke actually occurs. The National Stroke Association has devised the FAST checklist to help determine whether a person is having a stroke. Act FAST


If the answer to any of the questions below is yes, there’s a high probability that the person is having a stroke. Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?


Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Does he or she fail to repeat the sentence correctly? Time: If the answer to any of these questions is yes, time is important! You need to get the person to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying. The goal of stroke treatment is to restore blood circulation before brain tissue dies. To prevent brain cell death that is significant enough to cause disability, treatment is most effective if it starts within 60 minutes of the onset of symptoms.


Heart Attacks Again, identifying and acting fast are absolutely vital. Common signs of a heart attack: While the signs of heart attack can be different for men and women, the most common symptoms for both genders include:


Chest Pain or Discomfort: Pain or discomfort in the centre or left side of the chest is the most common heart attack symptom in both men and women. The pain may be mild or severe and can feel like pressure, fullness or squeezing.


The pain may come and go or be constant. It is important to remember that only half of women who have heart attacks experience chest pain and that people with diabetes may not feel chest pain at all due to nerve damage. Upper Body Discomfort: You may have pain or discomfort in one or both arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach above your belly button. Shortness of Breath: You may become short of breath at rest or while doing minor physical activity. This may be your only symptom. Or, it may happen before or at the same time as chest pain or discomfort. Other Heart Attack Symptoms: During a heart attack, men are more likely than women to break out in a cold sweat and report pain in the left arm. Women are somewhat more likely to experience nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, and pain in the jaw, back and shoulders.


Every Minute Matters If you think you or another person are having either a heart attack or a stroke - even if you’re not sure - call an ambulance immediately.


If you are a member of the Asociacion Europeos de Jávea (AAEdJ) ambulance service, then call them on 96 579 6099 (24hr) and they will have one of their state-of- the-art ambulances directly on its way to you. If you are not a member then call 112.


The AAEdJ ambulance service covers almost all of Costa Blanca North and will come straight to you wherever you are. Cover costs just €50 for a whole year for the whole family, so membership is fantastic value. To become a member of the AAEdJ call and speak with Laure Bolufer the Registration Manager on 96 579 6099 (Laure works from 10am to 1pm every weekday).


ASOCIACION AMIGOS EUROPEOS DE JAVEA. Avenida Juan Carlos 1, No 69, 03730 Jávea. Telephone 96 579 6099 (24hr) Email: amigos_europeos@yahoo.es.


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