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Time to Commit to Better Heart Health

Heart disease affects more than 12 people across the U.S. and is the leading cause of death in Arkansas and the nation. Two heart problems that claim millions of lives each year are heart attack and heart failure. Though often related, they are not the same.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is severely reduced or stopped. This is sometimes accompanied by a sharp pain, but not always. There are other lesser-known symptoms you should recognize:

  • Chest pain, pressure, or other discomfort in your chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Pain or discomfort between your shoulder blades, in your neck or in your jaw
  • Aching, burning or pain in one or both of your arms  

If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911. If you area does not have 911 service, call an ambulance or other emergency number; find out now the best number to call. Every second counts, so don’t hesitate. If you’ve had a heart attack, your doctor will likely put you on prescription medications called beta-blockers. You must take these exactly as prescribed.

Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure means that your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. While heart failure cannot be cured, medicines like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers can often treat it. Signs of heart failure include:

  • Becoming easily short of breath easily.
  • Puffy, swollen legs, ankles or feet. 
  • A rapid weight gain of two to four pounds over one to three days.
  • Losing your appetite. 
  • Nausea.
  • Weakness.
  • Running out of energy easily. 
  • A dry, nagging cough.  

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have heart failure, you need to limit the amount of sodium (salt) that you eat. That doesn’t just mean avoiding the salt shaker. You must study labels to see how much sodium is hidden in packaged foods.

Know Your Risks

A few risk factors cannot be helped, such as age, race and family history. Heart disease affects men more than women, African Americans at a higher rate than Caucasians, and more people who are age 65 or older.

However, there are some controllable factors that contribute to heart disease. These include:

  • Smoking – If you smoke, stop!
  • High cholesterol – Your LDL (sometimes called “bad” cholesterol) should be lower than 100. If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes. If these don’t work, medications can help.
  • High blood pressure – Because heart failure can have few symptoms, it’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
  • Obesity – Watch what and how much you eat. Cut down on foods high in fat.
  • Physical inactivity – Get out there and work that heart muscle, even if it’s just a 30-minute walk a few days a week.
  • Drinking too much alcohol – You might have heard that a little wine can be good for your heart. But if you already have a heart condition, that might not be true. And too much alcohol isn’t good for anyone. Talk to your doctor about whether you should drink, and how much is too much.
  • Stress – No one knows for sure how much stress is too much. But everyone can learn healthy ways to handle it. Exercise, relaxation and a positive outlook can help.
  • Diabetes – People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. If you have diabetes, take steps to keep your blood sugar under control and to keep your heart healthy.

One of the best ways to protect your heart is to visit your doctor regularly, even if you’re healthy. Your doctor can keep a careful eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol, and help you learn how to eat right and stay in shape. In fact, if you haven’t had these checked lately, why not make that doctor’s appointment today? Your heart will thank you — and so will your loved ones.