Heart Disease and What You Need to Know

Approximately 1.5 million people experience a heart attack in this country each year and 500,000 of them die from it.  Nearly half of these deaths occur before the person receives emergency medical care or while in the hospital.  The more family members of a loved one with heart disease know cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the greater the chance the person will survive a heart attack.

The major risk factors for heart disease include; high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, family history of a parent with heart disease before age 65 and an anxious personality.  Most patients will describe a squeezing tightness in their chest when they are experiencing a heart attack, known as anginal symptoms.  It is important to remember that patient’s with diabetes often will not have typical chest pain symptoms as their diabetes may cause damage to their nerves which are involved in creating the chest pain.  They may present with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or vague weakness. This is why it is so important for a person to get to an emergency room as soon as possible if they are experiencing extensive chest pain, heartburn, shortness of breath, dizziness or palpitations.

Prevention is the key to heart disease.  A low-fat diet, regular aerobic exercise, quitting smoking and relaxation are your greatest defenses against our nation’s number killer.

Dr. Ballard is a Board Certified Internist and Geriatrician with a Special Interest in Women’s Health.  She practices in Enumclaw, 360-825-1389.  Dr. Ballard’s comments are informational only and not to be construed as medical advice.  Consult your personal physician for any medical issues.