Signs of a Heart Attack or Stroke: What Seniors and Families Should Know
Seniors and their families and caregivers in Fairfield, Iowa, should be aware that the signs of a heart attack or stroke can include lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting. Malaise, a general feeling of being unwell, may also occur.
However, while there are similar heart attack and stroke symptoms in aging adults, they also have distinct signs. In either case, prompt, appropriate responses are key to surviving these life-threatening events.
Remember: Heart attacks and strokes can be deadly. The American Heart Association (AHA) says cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart attack, claims one life in the U.S. every 34 seconds on average. For stroke, it's one life every 3 minutes and 11 seconds.
Addington Place of Fairfield, our senior living community in Fairfield, IA, a city known for its affordability, wellness focus, and community engagement, has shared insights into heart attacks and strokes in this senior and caregiver health checklist and guide.
What Are the Early Signs of a Stroke or Heart Attack?
Some common early signs of a heart attack or stroke, which the two conditions share, include:
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Malaise
- Extreme fatigue
Shortness of breath may also occur in either a heart attack or a stroke. However, this symptom is more common in the former.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Stroke and a Heart Attack?
A stroke, medically known as "cerebrovascular accident (CVA)," affects the brain. A heart attack, officially referred to as "myocardial infarction (MI)," involves the heart.
Because they affect different organs of the body, CVA and MI have several distinct symptoms unique to each.
Symptoms of a Stroke
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in the U.S. alone, an estimated 795,000 people have a stroke each year.
A stroke can manifest as a sudden numbness or weakness involving the face, arm, or leg. It may occur on both sides, but it's more common to affect only one side. It happens as a result of the interruption in the blood flow to the brain, causing nerve signals to become disrupted.
Another symptom distinct to a stroke is the sudden onset of a severe headache without an apparent cause. Older adults and their families or caregivers should take this as one of the most crucial senior health red flags, as it can indicate a potential bleeding in the brain.
Slurred speech, difficulty speaking, and sudden confusion can also be cognitive-related symptoms of a stroke. They can occur as a result of the stroke damaging areas of the brain responsible for controlling communication, language, and thought.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
According to the U.S. CDC, one person in the U.S. experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds.
For many, chest discomfort or pain that persists for more than a few minutes is one of the most telling heart emergency warning signs of a potential MI. The highly unpleasant sensation may feel like fullness, pressure, or squeezing.
The pain and discomfort resulting from a heart attack may also spread to other areas of the upper body, including the arms (one or both), neck, back, and jaw. Some people may even experience this in the stomach.
Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath may also occur. It can happen with or without chest discomfort or pain.
How Should Seniors and Caregivers Respond to the Signs of a Heart Attack or Stroke?
Fairfield senior safety should always be a top priority for older adults, families, and caregivers, even more so for suspected heart attacks and strokes, as they can be deadly without immediate intervention.
Proper identification of the early signs of a heart attack or stroke is the first step to survival. It allows for the administration of immediate, life-saving treatment.
Calling 911 as soon as symptoms arise should then be the next step for the families, caregivers, or seniors in Fairfield, IA.
While waiting for emergency services, the person having a heart attack or stroke should be in a safe, comfortable position. If they're conscious, they should be in a stable, sturdy seat or partially lying down. Such a position can help minimize the risk of falling.
Remember: Falls, on their own, are already dangerous. They're the number one cause of injury-related fatalities among older adults.
As the National Safety Council says, over a quarter of older adults experience a fall each year, with three million treated in emergency departments for injuries. Around a million also require hospitalization due to fall injuries.
Equally crucial is to monitor vital signs while waiting for emergency services. If the person having a stroke or a heart attack becomes unconscious and breathing stops, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Consequences of Delayed Treatment for Stroke?
According to the Rush University Medical Center, about 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated. The more minutes that pass, the greater the potential for brain damage.
The more severe the brain damage is, the higher the likelihood of a person developing permanent disability. Examples include speech loss, cognitive decline, and paralysis.
The worst-case scenario is that the longer the delay in treating stroke, the higher the risk of death.
What Can Happen if a Heart Attack Is Not Treated Promptly?
A heart attack that doesn't receive prompt treatment can lead to heart muscle death. The muscle can begin to die within just minutes.
The more severe the damage to the heart, the weaker it becomes, resulting in poor pumping abilities. From here, it can lead to shortness of breath and fatigue.
Heart failure, arrhythmias, and organ damage can also result from delayed heart attack treatment. It may even increase a person's risk of experiencing a stroke.
Never Dismiss Stroke or Heart Attack Symptoms
From lightheadedness to vomiting, malaise, and extreme fatigue, these are some of the common (and shared) signs of a heart attack or stroke that all seniors should be aware of.
At Addington Place of Fairfield, we have a team of compassionate and highly experienced care providers available around the clock. With their support, plus our community's senior-centric amenities, including wellness programs and nutritious gourmet dining, we aim to help our residents keep their heart, brain, and overall health in check.
Call us today to book a tour of our retirement village in Fairfield, IA.