Health Beat - Fall 2016 - 3

HEALTHBEAT

Is It Anxiety or
a Heart Attack?
If you've never experienced a panic attack, it's
everything you'd imagine a heart attack to be, which
is why the two events are often confused. Check
out this chart to see just how similar panic attacks
and heart attacks are. If you're unsure which you're
experiencing, call 911.
Heart attack symptoms
D Chest pain or discomfort
D Upper-body discomfort
D Shortness of breath
D Sudden cold sweat
D Unusual tiredness (sometimes
for days leading up to attack)
D Nausea
D Dizziness or light-headedness

Why do people
stop taking
their medications?
A: "The most common reason I find that patients stop taking medications is that prescriptions can be so expensive,
especially if they are on multiple medications," says Angie
Golden, DNP, a family nurse practitioner and past president
of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Other
reasons include adverse side effects, forgetfulness and
confusion about instructions.
But the risks associated with skipping your medicine
can be serious. For example: People who didn't take heart
medication properly were 50 percent more likely to have
a heart attack compared with those who took the medication as prescribed, according to a study cited by the
National Institute on Aging.
If cost is an issue, talk to your healthcare provider.
Discounts and less-expensive options are often available.
Do the same if you're experiencing unwanted side effects.

GET HELP WITH COST OF MEDS

Photos by Thinkstock

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
matches people with discounts and
community programs to help reduce
prescription costs. Visit pparx.org
to start your search.

Panic attack symptoms
D Heart palpitations or pounding heart
D Sweating
D Trembling
D Shortness of breath
D Feeling as if you're choking
D Nausea
D Dizziness or light-headedness
D Feeling chilled or overheated
D Numbness or tingling sensations
D Fear of dying or losing control
Sources: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute;
Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Online Rx
DOWNLOAD the app AIRNow to get
air-quality information and forecasts
from the EPA in real time.
PLEDGE to get a flu shot and
encourage others to do the same. Add
your name to the CDC's Flu Vaccination
Pledge at cdc.gov/flu/nivw/pledge.
TEXT when it's safe to do so-and that
is never when you're behind the wheel.
Visit stoptextsstopwrecks.org for
powerful statistics and videos about
why you should never text and drive.

Health Beat is a quarterly publication of Salina Regional Health Center. Director of Marketing: Beth Vinson; Public Relations Coordinator:
John Berggren; Public Relations Coordinator: Meghan Klaassen. Salina Regional Health Center, 400 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina, KS 67401, 785-452-7000.
Copyright © 2016 by MANIFEST LLC. All rights reserved. Information in this publication is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing.
Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or advice contained in this publication. For address changes or to be
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http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/pledge http://www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org http://www.pparx.org http://www.mcmurrytmg.com/circulation http://www.srhc.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Beat - Fall 2016