Learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke

The Medical Director for the Emergency Department at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital says don't delay a trip to the emergency room if you think you are having a stroke or heart attack.

"Early intervention is the biggest thing in trying to help reduce your long term mortality," said Dr. Chase Ungs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says around 800,000 people will suffer a stroke every year. Another 800,000 will suffer a heart attack.

Dr. Ungs says stroke symptoms can include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, trouble seeing or walking and problems with balance and dizziness.

Symptoms of a heart attack, like symptoms of a stroke, can vary from patient to patient. They can include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweatiness, nausea, dizziness or generalized weakness.

Some symptoms start abruptly while others start gradually. There could be warning signs weeks in advance.

Dr. Ungs also warns strokes and heart attacks are not exclusive to the elderly.

"What patients really need to do is learn their family history," Dr. Ungs said. "If your mom or dad had a heart attack or stroke, especially at a young age, that puts you at a lot higher risk for having one of those illnesses early on."

Taking steps like eating well, exercising regularly and staying away from nicotine can reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Dr. Ungs also says to visit your primary care provider on a regular basis to make sure things like blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol are in the normal range.