February 17, 2019
February, known for love, Valentine hearts and American Heart Month, seems like the perfect time for SCAD Heart Attack Awareness Week. We are counting on you to help raise awareness about SCAD.
This year, for the second annual SCAD Heart Attack Awareness Week we decided to create a handout focused on the first line of defense during a heart attack – EMTs.
If someone thinks they might be having a heart attack, they should call 911. Since time is of the essence during a heart attack, it is important that EMTs and other emergency personnel recognize and treat a person with heart attack symptoms as a potential heart attack patient, even if the person doesn’t look like a “typical” heart attack candidate.
During this week, please print and take copies of this handout to EMTs and other emergency responders at your local fire stations; tell them your SCAD story and thank them for saving lives.
There are other things you can do to spread awareness beyond the EMT handout including:
- Printing and distributing the SCAD Medical Information document to doctors and nurses including the emergency room personnel, OBGYN and Generalists.
- Distribute copies of General SCAD Information to friends, family and other people you know and post them in your community.
- Post your story on social media and contact your local news outlets and tell them your story
- Wear your SCAD shirt during the week
Thank you for spreading awareness about SCAD. Awareness is the first step to saving lives.
Note: The handouts were reviewed by Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program