[Press Release] : February is American Heart Month

[Press Releases]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Chris Coffman, Public Health Nurse Supervisor - (573)
874-7453, jccoffma at gocolumbiamo.com or Deidre Wood, Public Information
Specialist, Columbia/Boone County Health Department - (573) 874-7632 -
dfwood at gocolumbiamo.com 

February is American Heart Month

COLUMBIA, MO (February 1, 2008) - This February, the Columbia/Boone
County Health Department wants to remind citizens about American Heart
Month. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI),
heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Compared to other states, Missouri continues to rank high with
prevalent problems of heart disease and mortality rates. According to
the NHLBI, Missouri ranks 10th highest in the nation on heart attack
deaths and is considered to be the 13th worst nationially on its stroke
mortality rate.

Based on movies and TV, many people imagine a heart attack to be sudden
and intense pain that causes a person to fall over while clutching his
or her chest. In truth, many heart attacks start very slowly and cause
mild pain or discomfort. These symptoms may not be continual and come
and go.

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department encourages the public to
learn the symptoms of a heart attack. These symptoms can include:
● Chest discomfort- Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the
center of the chest that can
last for a few minutes. This discomfort can feel like pressure,
squeezing, fullness or pain.
● Body discomfort- Other areas of the upper body can also experience
pain. This can be in
the back, neck, jaw, stomach and in one or both arms.
● Shortness of breath- Breathing difficulty often coincides with
chest discomfort, but it can
actually occur before chest discomfort.
● Additional symptoms- Heart attacks can also cause cold sweats,
nausea or light-headedness.

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department offers free blood pressure
screenings to any Boone County resident. For citizens who are interested
in learning more, the Health Department has information at its clinic
and online at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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