Learn the Symptoms of a Heart Attack for Women

From a News Release:

The Polk County Health Department will host a free heart attack risk screening event from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday to help women understand their risk for having a heart attack, according to a news release.

The session will be held at the department's office at 1907 Carpenter Ave. in Des Moines.

The department has been awarded $10,000 from the Office on Women’s Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office to increase the number of Latino women in Polk County who recognize heart attack symptoms, call 911 when experiencing heart attack symptoms, and increase heart healthy behaviors.

The Spanish language awareness campaign, “Know Your Heartbeat (Conoce tu Latido)” started in February.

Rick Kozin, Polk County Health Department director, said in the release, “On average one woman dies of a heart attack every minute in the U.S. and risk increases between ages 50 to 60, so this event will give women an idea of what their risk of having a heart attack might be.”

At the event Latino women over the age of 50 will participate in free blood pressure checks, cholesterol, glucose, BMI and dental screenings, the release said. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk with a health care provider about their family history and other risk factors, such as diet and exercise.

“Heart attacks happen because of a combination of genetic risk and lifestyle choices that can increase or decrease risk for a heart attack. It is very important to know what your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and BMI are so that you can take steps to minimize your risk,” said Kozin.

The department has used the grant to educate women on the range of symptoms of a heart attack; empowered women to call 911 to save their own life; empowered bystanders to act to save the lives of their sisters, mothers, and friends; and encouraged women to adopt new behaviors to improve their health.

To learn more visit www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/.