Know the Warning Signs
Although you can’t change your age or a family history of premature heart disease, you can influence many of the risk factors for heart disease. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly reduces most, including hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. As always, smokers are urged strongly to kick the nicotine-and-tar habit.Educating patients about the warning signs of a heart attack is another active Institute campaign.
“Chest pain used to be the major warning sign,” notes Dr. Steven Kornberg, medical director of non-invasive cardiac diagnostics and chairman of the Department of Cardiology. “But now, we refer to chest discomfort. Heart attack survivors often describe the feeling as tightness, pressure or heaviness; so don’t wait for it to hurt.”
Other common warning signs of a heart attack include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness and cold sweats.
“The confusing part is that sometimes the warning signs are constant, but sometimes they come and go,” Dr. Kornberg explains. “That’s why it’s crucial to get to the hospital immediately, so we can evaluate your symptoms.”
Listen Up, LadiesDr. Kornberg implores women in particular to heed the warning signs of a heart attack.
“Many people still think heart disease is a male issue, but that’s changed within the last five years,” he notes. “These days, more women have heart attacks than men, and more women die of heart disease than men.”
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease kills nearly 500,000 women each year—more than the next seven causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. “ Women seem to be more inclined to ignore the warning signs,” notes Dr. Kornberg. “Many who have suffered heart attacks say they suspected something was wrong, but were worried about the embarrassment of going to the hospital for nothing.”
Both men and women express concern about mistaking indigestion for coronary distress.
“If you’re upright or engaged in physical activity, it’s probably not heartburn,” notes Dr. Kornberg. “If you feel any form of the warning signs, it’s not important for you to make sure it’s your heart; it’s important to get to the hospital immediately, so we can assess your symptoms.”
Are You at Risk?Although nothing beats a full screening at the Institute, self-assessment is often helpful. For a free one-page Cardiac Risk Assessment quiz, click here or call the Shore Memorial Wellness Office at 609-653-4500.
Results from any assessment that indicate more than a 15-percent chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years should be addressed with the CardioVascular Institute staff as soon as possible.
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