5c10fa73baf5d4d2488837717e9e0af0.jpg

HEALTH MATTERS: Questions about heart health?

By John D. Passalaris, M.D. Princeton HealthCare System
    Heart disease: It’s the leading cause of death among Americans and one of the most common medical problems in the United States.
    It is also one of the most preventable — but first you have to know the facts.
    What is heart disease? There are many types of diseases that can affect the heart, but the most common type is called cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease refers to a number of different conditions marked by the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels within the heart that can lead to angina or a heart attack. The terms cardiovascular disease and heart disease are often used interchangeably.
    What causes heart disease? The most common cause of cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease as a result of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden, which ultimately restricts blood flow to your heart.
    Who is at risk? The five biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease are
    • Age.
    • High blood pressure.
    • High cholesterol.
    • Smoking.
    • Diabetes.
    Other risk factors include being overweight, lack of exercise, stress and family history. Additionally, it is important to note that women are just as likely to develop cardiovascular disease as men. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer among women, and more women than men die from cardiovascular disease each year, according to the American Heart Association.
    What are the complications of heart disease? Heart disease can lead to heart failure, the inability of your heart to pump enough blood to support your body.
    Other complications include:
    • Angina or chest pain, which occurs when an artery is partially blocked and forces the heart to work harder because it is not getting enough blood.
    • Heart attack, which occurs when the blood flow to heart is completely cut off and the heart muscle begins to die.
    • Stroke, which is caused by a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to your brain.
    • Peripheral artery disease, which develops when the arteries that supply blood to your legs become blocked, causing leg pain.
    What are the symptoms of heart disease? Common symptoms of heart disease include:
    • Chest pain.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Fatigue.
    • Pain or numbness radiating down the left arm.
    If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor, or call 9-1-1 if you think you may be having a heart attack.
    Warning signs of a heart attack include:
    • Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, tightening or squeezing of the chest.
    • Pain in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, jaw, shoulder or neck.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Nausea, vomiting, indigestion.
    • Sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness.
    Time is of the essence when treating heart attacks. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 and get to the nearest emergency department immediately.
    At University Medical Center at Princeton, doctors will likely perform emergency angioplasty, a life-saving procedure that uses state-of- the-art technology to locate and open blocked vessels and restore blood flow to the heart without the need for invasive heart surgery.
    By quickly locating and treating the site of the blockage, emergency angioplasty reduces the damage to heart muscle and helps the heart function better in the future.
    How is heart disease diagnosed and treated? In diagnosing heart disease, doctors will take a full medical history, perform a complete physical and examine your risk factors. Doctors may also order an electrocardiogram (EKG), which can help determine how much blood is getting to the heart.
    If heart disease is suspected, doctors may order additional tests such as a stress test, an ultrasound of the heart, an angiogram or a CT scan.
    Treatment depends on the type and the severity of heart disease. Doctors will likely recommend lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet. They also may prescribe medications or recommend elective angioplasty to open up the blocked arteries. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
    How can I prevent heart disease? When it comes to heart disease, prevention really is the best medicine. By lowering your risk factors, you can lower your chance for developing the disease by up to 50 percent in some cases. Here’s how:
    • Eat a healthy diet, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and low in sodium.
    • Get 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each day to keep your heart healthy.
    • Maintain a healthy weight.
    • Don’t smoke.
    • Get your cholesterol checked regularly.
    • Monitor your blood pressure.
    • Manage your diabetes.
    Do you have more questions about cardiovascular disease? Get answers during my live Web-chat hosted by Princeton HealthCare System on Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. I will take your questions and discuss heart and vascular health. To participate, simply go to the UStream Channel at www.ustream.tv/channel/ princetonhealth. To pre-register visit www.princetonhcs.org or call (888) 897-8979.
    All participants who register to attend this free event will be entered in a drawing for one of several $25 gift cards. We’ll hold the gift card drawing right after the web chat. You must be present to win.
    Basic computer requirements for the chat are a PC or Mac with Adobe Flash Player installed and a broadband Internet connection.
John D. Passalaris, M.D., F.A.C.C., is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and member of the medical staff at University Medical Center at Princeton. 