Taking Care of Your Heart: February is National Heart Month

The effects of heart disease are often overwhelming.

However, neglecting to do what is necessary to improve your health is never a

good decision. More than 80 million people in the United States have some form

of cardiovascular disease.

Every year, approximately 1.2 million Americans

suffer a heart attack.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is

interrupted. This deprives the heart muscle of oxygen, causing tissue damage or

tissue death. Too much plaque, or fatty material, builds up in the coronary

arteries and can decrease blood flow to the heart. If the plaque tears off, a

blood clot forms and may close off or severely narrow the artery. A heart

attack can also occur if an artery that supplies the heart starts to spasm or

contract. The spasm decreases or can stop the blood flow.

“Symptoms of a heart attack should not be overlooked,”

states Alisha Fielder, Exercise Physiologist and Manager of Houston

Healthcare’s Health Connections, a Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Program.

“However, knowing what the symptoms are is your first defense in taking care of

your heart. You should also be aware of the risk factors for heart disease and

develop ways to combat those in order to improve your overall health.”

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of

getting a disease or condition. Risk factors such as family history, age and

gender are out of our control, but we are able to modify our lifestyle factors.

Examples of lifestyle factors for heart disease include: smoking and second

hand smoke, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and cocaine or drug

abuse.

Certain medical conditions such as cholesterol problems, high blood

pressure, obesity or overweight, diabetes and metabolic syndrome can also

increase your risk of developing heart disease.

Know the Warning Signs…

• Chest discomfort: most heart attacks involve discomfort in

the center of the chest that last more than a few minutes, or goes away and

comes back. It may feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or

pain.

• Discomfort in other upper body areas: may include pain or

discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath: may occur with or without chest

discomfort.

• Other signs: can include breaking out in a cold sweat,

nausea or lightheadedness

For females – additional signs may include….

• Unexplained weakness or extreme fatigue

• Lower chest discomfort

• Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that may feel like

indigestion

• Back pain

 

If you experience any of these signs, call 911 immediately

to seek treatment. You could be having a heart attack and minutes matter!

If a cardiac event does occur, cardiac rehabilitation is

often prescribed by your physician in order for you to begin the recovery

process.

 

“During cardiac rehab, each participant receives a thorough health

assessment to determine his or her current fitness level,” explains Fielder.

“An individualized exercise regimen is supervised by an exercise physiologist

and registered nurses using advanced EKG and Pulse Oximetry monitoring.

Individuals receive education and counseling regarding nutrition, ideal body

weight, smoking cessation, stress management, better breathing and other

lifestyle changes. During exercise, participants learn about appropriate

exertion levels and the importance of regular blood pressure, target pulse and

pulse oximetry checks.”

The benefits of cardiac rehabilitation for the patient

include: an improved physical work capacity, enhanced ability to perform daily

activities, a return to work, reduced hospital admissions, decreased healthcare

costs and increased health education and compliance.

 “We see each

day with our patients that cardiac rehab can change lives. It may be

challenging at times, but recovery after a cardiac event is definitely possible,”

says Fielder. “With the right approach to recovery and a positive attitude, you

will reap the benefits of improved cardiac care.”

HHJ News