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Know the signs of trouble in your ticker

Blue Cross of Idaho
Idaho employee health insurance provider
Give your heart a Valentine this month by asking your doctor if you're due for a cholesterol screening or blood pressure check. These two simple tests could help you avoid a heart attack or stroke.

Also, get up to speed on the typical symptoms for both conditions and what to do if you suspect you're having either.

Heart Attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is cut off or reduced. The most common heart attack symptoms are:

Pressure, squeezing, pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.
Discomfort in the neck, arms, jaw, back, or stomach.
Cold sweats, nausea, indigestion, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath.

If you or someone near you experiences a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Strokes occur when arteries to the brain become blocked or ruptured. When it comes to a stroke, seconds count. The sooner you get treatment, the less chance there is for permanent damage. Signs of a stroke include:

Numbness or weakness of the face, an arm or a leg, usually on one side of the body.
Trouble with speaking or comprehension.
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Loss of balance, dizziness or trouble walking.
Sudden severe headache.

Tips for your ticker: Read how to protect your heart — plus what those cholesterol numbers really mean. Heart attacks can lead to heart failure, a condition that Blue Cross of Idaho can help you with through its Population Health Management programs.