Take good care of your heart

Heart disease is the top cause of death in Arkansas and the United States for both men and women. But there are plenty of ways to help keep your heart healthy, and help your loved ones do the same. The first step is finding out all you can about heart problems and how to cut your risk. Then talk about it—with your doctor, your spouse, your family and friends.

Two heart problems that affect millions of people—and claim millions of lives each year—are heart attack and heart failure. Though they’re often related, they are not the same.

Heart Attack
Heart Failure
Am I at risk for heart problems?
For more information

Heart Attack
A heart attack happens when the blood supply to part of the heart is severely reduced or stopped.

In some cases, it’s easy to tell that you’re having a heart attack: a sharp pain might grab your attention. But sometimes, you might not realize what’s happening, and you might wait too long to get help.

Not everyone has a heart attack in the same way. You might have:

• Chest pain or pressure, or just an uncomfortable feeling 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 right away. If your area doesn’t have 911 service, call an ambulance or dial 0 for the operator. Every minute counts, so get help as quickly as you can.

After you’ve had a heart attack, your doctor should ask you to take an aspirin daily or prescription medicines called beta-blockers. It’s important to take beta-blockers exactly as the prescription says and to keep taking them. You’ll also need to watch your cholesterol, or lipid, level. Your LDL (sometimes called “bad” cholesterol) should be lower than 100.

“Heart failure,” also called congestive heart failure, does not mean that your heart has stopped working. It just means that your heart can’t keep up with its workload. Heart failure cannot be cured, but it can be treated with medicines like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. If you have heart failure, limit the amount of salt you eat. Read labels to see how much salt (also called sodium) is hidden in packaged foods.
Signs of heart failure include:

• Becoming 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.

Am I at risk for heart problems?
Some risk factors can’t be helped — for example, getting older, being male, or having family members with heart problems.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to control your risk. If you smoke, stop! Keep your weight down and eat healthy, low-fat foods. Get plenty of exercise, and keep your blood pressure under control. (For most people, that means below 135/85.) Too much alcohol and stress can hurt your heart, so learn healthy ways to relax and enjoy life.

Even if you’re healthy, visit your doctor regularly. Your doctor can carefully monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol and help you learn how to eat right and stay in shape. Your heart and the people you love will thank you.

For more information:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Healthfinder
www.healthfinder.gov

American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org