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Women, men show different signs of heart attack
February is American Heart Month. But as the number of people in America with heart disease continues to increase rapidly, maybe every month should be designated as American Heart Month.
Dr. Guillermo Nava, cardiologist with Tennova Medical Group Cardiology, paints a grim picture of the status of heart health in Tennessee. The situation is not an epidemic, but the facts show Tennessee is one of highest ranked states in obesity and diabetes, both major factors that contribute to heart attacks.
Symptoms of heart attacks differ between men and women. With men, the typical symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pressure with pain in the left arm.
- Shortness of breath associated with chest pain.
“There can be other symptoms when men have heart attacks, but these are the typical ones we see,” said Nava. “With women, some of these symptoms may be present, but there are some atypical symptoms they will present."
- Profound weakness, especially with diabetics.
- Cold sweats.
“What is critically important is that someone experiencing these symptoms needs to get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Thinking the symptoms will just go away is not good.”
Presently in the US more than 785,000 people per year will suffer their first heart attack. For many, it can be their first and their last. They didn’t know the symptoms.
Heart attack treatment
When it comes to treatment, there are no differences between how men and women are treated. After a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan specific to the patient is developed and instituted. The plan can include medications, blood thinners, blood pressure controls, the addition of lipid-lowering agents, and at some point exercise will be added.
“Heart attacks are life-changing events. A patient learns that drastic changes in lifestyle must be made. Obesity is a major problem in this country and it’s only getting worse,” Nava said. “Our society is so technology oriented that people want to push buttons on a computer device to obtain answers to their health problems.
“That’s fine, but the real answer is making changes in your lifestyle. You can learn about changes on Smartphones, but the individual has to do the work," he said.
“Unfortunately, there are those who do not want to take responsibility for their own health. If you abuse your body and don’t take care of your health, your life will be shortened. That’s reality.”
Heart attack prevention
So, what is the answer to our country’s heart attack problem? How do we reduce the number of heart attacks occurring each year?
According to Nava, the answers are right in front of us, whether you are young or old, male or female.
“Education and practicing prevention are the answers," Nava said. "It isn’t hard to figure this out. Implementing the answers – lifestyle changes – is what is hard.”
Lowering the risks of cardiovascular disease involves being committed to:
- Awareness of the risk factors.
- Maintaining the proper weight.
- Implementing healthy eating. This means fruits and vegetables.
- Monitoring your cholesterol.
- No smoking.
- Walking 30 minutes every day.
- Visiting your doctor on a regular basis.
One of the biggest challenges for people dealing with cardiovascular disease is staying motivated as they achieve a healthy lifestyle. The payoff is a longer life
Dr. Guillermo Nava, Cardiologist, Tennova Medical Group Cardiology, 651 Dunlop Lane, Suite 101, 502-1000