Knowledge is a true gift from the heart

February is all about matters of the heart. There is a gift that goes above and beyond the red roses and boxes of chocolate — the gift of knowledge. Knowing what to do in a when someone is having a heart attack or stroke could save the life of a loved one.

The symptoms of these life-threatening conditions are not always as clear as you might think. In many cases, the symptoms aren't recognized until they become serious. There are new drugs and treatments available that work best in the early stages of a crisis. That's why it's imperative to be able to recognize the signs when they first appear. In the case of a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest, every second counts.

Most of us are familiar with what has been termed the "movie heart attack", one that involves intense chest pain and shortness of breath, followed by the collapse of the victim. Though these do occur, far more common are heart attacks that progress slowly, with pain or discomfort in seemingly unrelated parts of the body such as the neck or jaw.

Signs of a heart attack can include one or more of the following, and remember that intensity varies from person to person and episode to episode. Most heart attacks do include pain or discomfort in the chest. It may come and go, or it may be more constant. The feeling can be related to intense pressure or squeezing, or even mistaken as heart burn.

Regional discomfort is also common, and can sometimes be considered the forerunner of the actual heart attack. If you experience or witness someone else experiencing pain in their arms (either or both, though the left is more common), the upper back, neck or jaw, or even their stomach, call 911 immediately.

Additional signs include shortness of breath or lightheadedness, or breaking out into a cold sweat. Sometimes the victims, especially women, are overcome with sudden and unexplained nausea. All of these signs could be the symptoms of a heart attack and should not be taken lightly.

Something to keep in mind is that a heart attack victim will usually deny that they are in fact having a heart attack. They will claim that they are fine and don't need medical attention. Don't listen to them. If you witness someone having these symptoms call 9-1-1 and don't let the person out of your sight until help has arrived.

Someone experiencing a stroke will exhibit very different, but equally serious warning signs. A stroke usually takes its victim by surprise, and comes on very suddenly, but again, every situation is different. Symptoms of a stroke can include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Loss of coordination or balance can also occur and the victim may have trouble walking or staying in an upright position without support.

Sometimes, the person will stop making sense. They may seem confused, or have a hard time following a conversation or speaking. They may have difficulty with their vision in one or both eyes and not be able to focus clearly. An intense headache with no known cause is also something that you should watch for.

Cardiac arrest is perhaps the most frightening of the three. It strikes immediately and with no warning. The victim will collapse, and demonstrate a total lack of response with no movement. There is no sign of normal breathing or a pulse. If cardiac arrest occurs, call 911 and begin CPR immediately. If you do not know CPR, ask the 911 dispatcher to help you through it until help arrives.

We all hope not to find ourselves in these types of situations and don't like to think about it. But, by not knowing the symptoms, we might not be able to save the life of someone we love. Pay attention and be aware of the warning signs and even better, take a CPR class. Properly administered CPR can be a life-saver in any number of situations.

So, let your loved ones know that you care this Valentine's Day by learning the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. But, then again, maybe you should keep the roses and chocolates on your shopping list anyway …