An Important Message during American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health are committed to raising awareness about the symptoms of heart attacks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States. If you notice symptoms of a heart attack in yourself of someone else, call 9-1-1 immediately. The chances of survival are greater the sooner emergency treatment begins.

The five major symptoms of a heart attack for men and women include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
  • Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
  • Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulders
  • Shortness of breath, with or without chest comfort

In addition to these symptoms, women are more likely to experience:

  • Unusual or unexplained tiredness
  • Nausau or vomiting

How cold weather may play a role:
Cold weather does not increase the risk of heart attack for the average healthy person, but it can be problematic for someone with underlying heart disease. Those with underlying heart disease may already have narrowing of the blood vessels. Cold weather, especially sub-zero temperatures, can cause the vessels to constrict even further, limiting blood flow to vital organs and potentially resulting in a heart attack.

For more information about heart attack and heart disease, please visit the “Heart Care” resources section of www.prevea.com. A podcast episode featuring Prevea interventional cardiologist, Dr. Todd Fergus, and his experiences in caring for those affected by heart attack, is also available now on Prevea Health’s new podcast, Plug In to Health on Apple, Spotify and www.prevea.com/podcast. Look for “Heart Attack: What You Need to Know.”

Partners of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Annual Luncheon and Love Basket Raffle

Oconto Falls and surrounding communities are invited to the Annual Luncheon and Love Basket Raffle, hosted by the colleagues and Partners of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14 at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 855 S. Main St., in Oconto Falls.

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the hospital’s dining room and will feature steak, shrimp, and a variety of sides, as well as coffee, milk and desserts. Tickets are $10 per person at the door. For more information, please contact Sue Allshouse at (920) 373-7685.

In support of the Annual Luncheon on Feb. 14, colleagues of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital will host the Love Basket Raffle in the hospital’s Assisi Room from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the same day. A variety of themed baskets will be up for grabs! Popular baskets from previous years have included I Love the Packers, I Love Wine, I Love Gardening and I Love Birds. Those interested in donating a basket should contact Dawn Coppens at (920) 846-3444.

All proceeds from the Annual Luncheon and Love Basket Raffle will help the Partners support programs at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.