Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention

Level 1: Health Campaign

Introduction

◼ Over the past 10 years an average of one

Schlumberger employee has died every
month from heart attacks or strokes.
◼ Worldwide, 20,000 people die each day
from a heart attack.
◼ Heart attacks and strokes kill 10 times
more than road vehicle accidents.

2
Heart Attacks and Strokes

Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

◼ The clogging of a coronary artery – the arteries that nourish the heart.
◼ Can be fatal.
Stroke
◼ The clogging of an artery going to the brain.
◼ Can lead to paralysis, speech impairment, loss of vision or memory.
◼ Can be irreversible.

3
Heart Attacks

What are the symptoms of a heart attack? Chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes:
The typical symptom of a heart attack is severe chest pain, ◼ Is a possible heart attack.
most often persistent and described as tightness,
squeezing or crushing. The pain is usually located in the ◼ Call for emergency medical services.
center of the chest, behind the sternum.

The pain: ◼ Shortness of breath

◼ Can spread to the jaw, neck, ◼ May be accompanied by fear, anxiety
shoulders, back and left arm or or a feeling of
hand
◼ Imminent death
◼ Lasts more than 15 minutes
◼ May be accompanied by signs of
◼ Occurs at rest or during activity shock and loss of
◼ Is often accompanied by ◼ Consciousness
4
palpitations, fainting, cold sweats,
nausea, vomiting
Heart Attacks
What to do if a heart attack is suspected?
◼ Immediately call for emergency medical
service or transport the victim to an
emergency medical facility.
◼ Have the person sit, rest and stay calm.
◼ Loosen any tight clothing (collar, tie, belt).
◼ Have the person chew a tablet of aspirin
(if not allergic).
If the victim is unconscious and not breathing.
◼ Probable cardiac arrest (heart no longer beating)
◼ Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation [CPR] (30 external
chest compressions and 2 ventilations or 100 chest
compressions per minute)
◼ Use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) if
one is available.
Do you know how to perform CPR and use an
AED?
Strokes
What are stroke symptoms?
Early recognition of a stroke is
essential to reduce the severity and
increase the chance of recuperation.
Act FAST Rule is the rapid recognition of stroke.
F for Face
◼ Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face
droop?
A for Arms
◼ Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift
down?
S for Speech
◼ Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their
speech slurred or strange?
T for Time
◼ If you observe any of these signs, immediately call for
emergency medical service.
What is responsible for the clogging of arteries?
Poor lifestyle habits are
responsible for the clogging
of the arteries resulting in
cardiovascular risk factors.
The more cardiovascular risk
factors an individual has, the
greater the risk of clogging
the arteries and having a
heart attack or stroke in the
years to come.
The major cardiovascular risk Other factors to a lesser
factors are: degree are:
◼ High blood pressure ◼ Lack of sleep
◼ Tobacco use ◼ Poor stress
High blood sugar (diabetes) management
◼
◼ Physical inactivity
◼ Overweight or obesity
◼ High blood cholesterol
◼ Inappropriate alcohol use

The more YES answers the
higher the cardiovascular risk!
Are you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke?
1. Has anyone in your family had a heart attack or stroke?
2. Are you over 55 years of age?
3. Are you a smoker?
4. Have you ever been told that your blood pressure was over
140/90 mm Hg?
5. Has a blood test ever found an elevated cholesterol level?
6. Do you know if you have diabetes or if your fasting blood sugar
is elevated?
7. Are you overweight?
8. Are you getting less than 30 minutes of moderate physical
activity daily?
High Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

◼ Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries.
Blood pressure is described with two numbers, such as120/80 mm Hg
◼ First number is the systolic pressure corresponding to the pressure in the
arteries when the heart contracts
◼ Second number is the diastolic pressure corresponding to the blood pressure in
the arteries when the heart rests between heart beats.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters (mm) or centimeters (cm) of mercury
(Hg)
High Blood Pressure

What is normal blood pressure?

◼ Ideal blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg or 12/8 cm Hg.
◼ High blood pressure is defined as 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
◼ Blood pressure should be measured in a lying down position after a
10-minute rest period, at both arms and should be confirmed over two
or three different consultations.
◼ Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg is considered as
pre-hypertension.
◼ A person with pre-hypertension will often develop high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure

What are the symptoms of When symptoms appear they can include:
high blood pressure? ◼ Headaches
Most people who have high blood
pressure have absolutely NO ◼ Dizziness
SYMPTOMS whatsoever. ◼ Nose bleeds
They can only know by having it ◼ Buzzing in the ears
measured by a health care
professional. ◼ Vision defects
◼ Palpitations and breathlessness upon
slight exertion

IT MAY TAKE YEARS FOR SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR!!

High Blood Pressure
What are the causes of
high blood pressure or
hypertension?
◼ 95% of all cases of
hypertension have no
known cause.
◼ All medical investigations
are normal.
◼ This is known as primary
or essential high blood
pressure.
Treatment of high blood pressure:
◼ High blood pressure is rarely an acute medical
emergency and it takes years to cause a serious
problem. Treatment usually requires taking
medication for life. This will avoid the severe
complications of high blood pressure.
◼ Lifestyle improvements are important but will
reduce blood pressure only slightly.
◼ Medication to treat high blood pressure must be
taken daily and for the duration of your life! If you
stop medication for high blood pressure, it will
reoccur within a few weeks.
Tobacco Use

Worldwide 1 billion people All forms of tobacco increase

smoke. 500,000 die each year the cardiovascular risk:
in the USA alone. ◼ Cigarettes
◼ In Schlumberger, 35% of ◼ Pipes, cigars
employees smoke.
◼ Sheesha
◼ Smoking is a major – 1 session = 40 cigarettes
cardiovascular risk factor that
increases bad cholesterol, ◼ Chewing tobacco
raises blood pressure and
increases the risk of heart
attacks and strokes.
 TIPS TO STOP SMOKING

MOTIVATION is essential. Once you

Tobacco Use
have decided, stop completely.
Get rid of smoking paraphernalia
(ashtray, lighter, matches)
It is never too late to stop smoking.
Tell your friends, colleagues and family.
There are many techniques to reduce the undesirable symptoms of nicotine
Set a target date. Vacations are a great
time to stop. withdrawal:
If possible, stop with a friend, colleague ◼ Nicotine patches
or your spouse.
◼ Gums
Exercise –walk or jog – relax, invest in a
hobby or intellectual activity to keep ◼ Lozenges
your mind off smoking.
◼ Sprays
Avoid temptation. Associate with non-
smokers. ◼ Electronic cigarettes
Each time you want to light up, drink a
glass of water and avoid coffee and
alcohol.

ONCE YOU STOP, NEVER, NEVER

LIGHT UP AGAIN.
High Blood Sugar

People with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of
levels of blood sugar diabetes in Schlumberger.
(blood glucose) that are ◼ It is mainly diagnosed in overweight or obese
too high. people over 35 or 40 years of age.
Blood glucose is ◼ Symptoms are often nonexistent with diagnosis
necessary for the body’ made during a medical exam through a blood or
energy but too much urine test.
sugar in the blood
◼ When symptoms do exist there may be increased
corrodes the arteries and
thirst, urination, fatigue, irritability and nausea, along
over time provokes heart with repeated infections, impotency in men and
attacks and strokes. menstrual irregularities in women.
A simple urine or blood test can detect type
2 diabetes.
High Blood Sugar

Although eating sugar doesn’t cause diabetes, sweet foods and beverages can
make managing blood glucose levels difficult.
Make healthful food choices. It is recommended to reduce the following:
◼ Sugar, candy and chocolate
◼ Ice cream
◼ Soft drinks
◼ Jam and jelly
◼ Cookies and cake
Do you know your fasting blood sugar level?
Physical Inactivity
Physical inactivity, also called
sedentary lifestyle, is a major
cause of heart attacks and
strokes.
We spend hours sitting in front of
the computer, the television or in
the car.
Physical activity burns calories, a
major factor in weight loss.
Even modest, but regular, levels of physical activity
improve a person’s health and reduce heart attacks and
strokes. The more you move, the better it is for your
health.
◼ Walk instead of taking the car.
◼ Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
◼ Reduce screen time in front of the computer, television
screen and video games.
◼ Shop, wash the car, play with the kids, get out and
move.
Physical Inactivity
In the course of a normal day, most people rarely walk
more than 3,000 steps.
Anything below 5,000 steps is considered sedentary.
◼ 6,000 steps daily reduces blood pressure, heart rate,
diabetes risk, bad cholesterol, stress and anxiety.
◼ 10,000 steps = 5 miles = 7 kilometers = 1 hour of
walking
◼ If you walk one hour every day of the year, you will
consume calories and lose weight without any
additional dieting.
◼ A minimum of 30 minutes of brisk
walking each day is recommended.
◼ The ideal is one hour of walking per
day.
◼ Of course nothing stops you from
jogging, running, bicycle riding,
swimming, playing tennis, etc.
Overweight and Obesity

Overweight and obesity, as measured by a person’s body mass index (BMI) is

a major health problem worldwide.
At Schlumberger more than 45% of the employee population is overweight or
obese and 1% is morbidly obese.
BMI weight in kilograms weight in pounds x 703
or
= height in meters x height in meters height in inches x height in inches

Examples: BMI
<18.5 = Underweight
100 kg and 1.75 m = BMI 32.6
18.5 to 24.9 = Healthy Weight
221 pounds and 69 inches = BMI 32.6 25 to 29.9 = Overweight
>30 = Obese
>40 = Morbidly Obese
Overweight and Obesity

Overweight and obese people have excess body fat which in turn increases:
◼ Clogging of the arteries
◼ Blood pressure
◼ Blood levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides (another body fat) and blood sugar.
In addition, overweight and obese people have an increased risk of:
◼ Certain cancers
◼ Respiratory problems and sleep apnea
◼ Osteoarthritis of the knees and hips
Do you know your height and weight? Calculate your BMI now.
 HEALTHY EATING
How to reduce excess weight? + MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
THE SOLUTION
There are no miracle solutions and
Some simple advice to get started: no one loses weight overnight.
◼ Reduce or avoid fried foods such as fried fish,
chicken or fries.
◼ Reduce or avoid sauces, butter and margarine.
◼ Reduce consumption of sugar, pastry, cake, chocolate, candy, jams, jelly and ice cream.
◼ Avoid energy drinks usually high in sugar content.
◼ Reduce or avoid soft drinks and colas and replace it with water or fresh fruit juice.
◼ Prefer baked, grilled, steamed or poached foods.
◼ Prefer low- and nonfat milk, cheese, yogurt and dairy products.
◼ Eat all the fish you want, but not fried.
◼ Eat vegetables, whole grains, salads, beans and fruits in abundance.
How to reduce excess weight?

◼ Do not skip breakfast or any other meal.

◼ Eat small meals frequently.
◼ Reduce portion size.
◼ Avoid getting seconds.
◼ Snacking is acceptable between meals but be careful what you nibble on.
◼ Drink a glass of water before each meal. It will reduce appetite.
◼ Reduce or completely avoid alcoholic beverages.
◼ Reduce salt intake.
How to reduce excess weight?

A few more tips:

◼ Take a photograph of yourself before you start.
◼ Set realistic goals. Losing 1 to 2 kg. (2.5 to 5 pounds)/ month is a realistic
objective.
◼ Friends, family and colleagues need to be informed that you are changing your
eating habits.
◼ Avoid temptation. Do not buy high-calorie, fat-rich and sugar-rich foods.
◼ Read food labels and look at the calorie levels of foods. An eye opener!
◼ Reduce screen time.
◼ Increase physical activity.
High cholesterol

Too much cholesterol clogs the arteries.
Foods that promote good cholesterol include:
◼ Fish
◼ Vegetable fats and oils (olive, peanut, colza,
corn, sunflower)
◼ Whole grains, beans, nuts
◼ Vegetables and fruits
Foods that increase bad cholesterol include:
◼ Whole-milk dairy products (butter, cream, and
cheese)
◼ Certain meats – pork, lamb and beef
◼ Egg yolks
◼ Certain tropical oils (coconut and palm)

DO YOU KNOW YOUR CHOLESTEROL LEVEL?

Other Issues That Increase Cardiovascular Risk

◼ Alcohol - Alcohol contains only calories. Nothing of nutritional value.

◼ Sleep - Sleep-deprived people have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. On the
average people sleep 1.5 to 2 hours less per night than their grandparents. Lack of
sleep can increase weight gain, type 2 diabetes and blood pressure.
◼ Stress – Poor stress management can increase blood pressure and heart rate,
however, stress alone DOES NOT provoke heart attacks.
Conclusion

For more information read the “Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes” Schlumberger
brochure.

A pdf version is available in numerous languages at:

www.healthhub.slb.com / Schlumberger Health Publications.