Dear Nurse Bonnie:

Many years ago my father was having a heart attack. He "didn't feel right" seemed a little worn out and thought he had indigestion. We tried to persuade him to go to the ER but he stubbornly refused. He died. Why do people refuse help?

Mr.T.S.

Dear Mr. T.S.:

I am very sorry for your family's loss. Delaying help is an all too common problem and the outcome worsens the longer the wait as irreversible damage to the heart muscle increases. With prompt medical treatment this damage is lessened and even stopped. Professionals guess at the reasons people delay treatment but think it may be due to embarrassment, unwillingness to believe this is really something serious happening to them (denial) or don't think they fit the profile of someone at risk, lack of medical insurance, bad advice from family or friends, people who took 'home remedies' or attempted to treat themselves, and people who were ignorant of the symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Following is a list of common symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. Thank you for your question as it may have helped save someone else's life today.....and remember...BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY....You can ALWAYS CALL 911.

Heart attack warning signs:
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting,
nausea, sweating or shortness of breath.
Source: American Heart Association

Stroke warning signs:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Source: American Stroke Association