Well - Summer 2013 - (Page 4)

Community Recognizing a Heart Attack One woman receives lifesaving information through the UNC Health Care Mallwalkers program. By Allie WAgNer W hen Marlene Morrison, 78, woke up one Saturday morning in March 2012 she knew something was wrong. She had broken out into a cold sweat and her left arm felt heavy. It was not until she stumbled across information she received the week before that she realized she was experiencing signs of a heart attack. Marlene, a 10-year member of the UNC Health Care Mallwalkers program, had attended a Mallwalkers meeting the previous Wednesday. At the monthly meeting, Debbie Scotten, RN, MS, program director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Chatham Hospital, spoke about recognizing symptoms of a heart attack. The information Marlene learned at the presentation prompted her to take action and seek immediate medical assistance, which she credits with making a difference in her survival. “I truly believe the brochure handed out at the presentation saved my life,” says Marlene. “Since I didn’t have chest pain, I would have never thought I was experiencing signs of a heart attack.” Marlene was fortunate to have received this lifesaving information. Most people are unaware that although men and women can experience the same symptoms of a heart attack, women can also have more subtle signs. During the session, Scotten mentioned that, for women, symptoms may include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, stomach, neck or back; shortness of breath with or without chest pain; cold sweat; and nausea or lightheadedness. Making Strides Since 2002, UNC Health Care has educated the community about heart health through the UNC Health Care Mallwalkers program, formerly known as Heels in Motion.The program has provided local residents the opportunity to exercise in a 4 Summer 2013 Well safe and comfortable environment at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham, and learn about a wide range of health topics through the monthly presentations. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a heart attack strikes someone every 34 seconds. This statistic indicates more still needs to be done to inform others about the early signs of a heart attack, which can occur weeks or hours before an attack. “As a medical community, we have made significant advances over the last decade toward improving cardiovascular care,” says Prashant Kaul, MD, FACC, UNC Chest Pain Center medical director.“However, cardiovascular disease continues to account for more deaths than any other major disease entity in the United States.” Although it is important for people to know the possible signs of a heart attack, it is even more important for them to be proactive and seek care. Data collected by the AHA suggests that half of all people having a heart attack wait more than two hours before seeking help. Marlene made the right decision to go to urgent care immediately after experiencing symptoms. Marlene has since experienced another heart attack and now has a pacemaker, but she is not letting anything slow her down. She continues to play an active role in her community and aims to arm others with the vital information she received a year ago. “I tell my story at church to a senior group called Young at Heart, because I want other people to receive the same valuable knowledge that helped me,” says Marlene.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Well - Summer 2013

Well - Summer 2013
Contents
UNC Health Care News
Community
Facing a Rare Cancer Diagnosis Head-On
Comprehensive Cancer Support
Nutrition
Calendar

Well - Summer 2013