February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on how to improve your cardiovascular health. LSU Health New Orleans Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart said the idea that chest and heart pain have to be on your left side and left arm to be considered an attack is not always true.
“It’s that way most of the time, but we see a lot of people who think they have indigestion that are actually having a heart attack,” said Smart.
Smart said to be mindful of recurring symptoms as an indicator of heart disease, especially when it happens with exercise or exertion. If so, talk to your physician, and if you have a family member who had a heart attack or stroke before the age of 60 for men and 65 for women you should also speak to a physician.
“If you have significant high blood pressure, you have diabetes those are particularly high-risk factors. So all of those things play into the decision of when to do something,” said Smart.
Smart said for example a 20-something female runner who has chest pain on their left side should mention it to her physician, whereas someone in their 60s who’s overweight with high blood pressure should act immediately.
But for women, Smart said they are more likely to exhibit atypical heart disease symptoms. Instead of complaining about chest pain, he said women are more likely to notice they are fatigued or complain they can’t do what they used to do a few months ago.
Smart said to know the risk factors, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and family history. There are treatments for blood pressure, and cholesterol, and to stop smoking.
“Do what you can fix and then the rest of it discuss with your doctor,” said Smart.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana and the United States.
Comments