Staff members with McLeod Health Cheraw remind people that time is heart muscle. If you think you are having a heart attack call 911.

In recognition of American Heart Month, McLeod Health staff members have been helping raise awareness of heart disease and women by sharing heart education tips through social media. One of these tips includes how some women may miss or ignore the signs of a heart attack because they assume it’s acid reflux or the flu.

The most common symptoms of a heart attack are chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath and pain in the upper body, one or both arms (often the left), back, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach. However, some symptoms often experienced by women are less common or easily mistaken for something else. These include:
• Cold sweat
• Unusual fatigue
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Light-headedness

If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms call 911 immediately.