In the Town of Hempstead and all across America, February is recognized as American Heart Month. The American Heart Association is urging everyone to be an American Heartsaver by knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and learning to act immediately.

Today, more and more people are surviving heart and coronary artery disease because of the great strides made in modern medicine to recognize and treat these conditions. Knowing the early warning signs of heart attack is essential to strengthening the chain of survival.

* Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest.

* Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms.

* Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

* Atypical chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain.

* Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue.

* Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness.

Not all warning signs occur in every heart attack. If some start to occur, don't wait. Call 911 immediately.

The Heart Association is also urging citizens to know and strengthen the chain of survival by learning CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) during the month of February. Call 1-877 AHA-4CPR for a CPR course near you. Be sure to also mark your calendar for National CPR Day, a free mass CPR training day on Saturday, April 28. You might want to reserve your spot as soon as possible. On behalf of all the members of the Hempstead Town Board, I urge all of our residents to be an American Heartsaver. In cooperation with the American Heart Association, we can all play a part in fighting heart disease and stroke.