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Month: February 2022

February is American Heart Month, a time to bring awareness to heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Sometimes heart disease can be silent and undiagnosed, and many people are either unaware they have suffered a heart attack or just ignore the signs and symptoms as they’re experiencing one. Some of the most common types of heart disease are:

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease in the U.S., and is sometimes referred to as coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease. CAD develops when the major blood vessels that supply your heart are damaged or diseased. Typically, cholesterol-containing deposits, or plaques, in your arteries are responsible for CAD. It often goes undetected until it produces a heart attack.

Symptoms:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness, light-headedness, nausea, cold sweat
  • Heart attack

Arrhythmia

Simply put, arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. It can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or in an irregular pattern. It may feel like your heart has skipped a beat, has too many beats, or gives a fluttering sensation in your chest. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms:

  • Heart palpitations
  • Pounding in your chest
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Anxiety
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Fainting

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. It gets stretched, thick or stiff, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of your body and often causing its rhythm to become disturbed. As cardiomyopathy gets worse, the heart becomes weaker which makes it harder to maintain a normal electrical rhythm.

Symptoms:

  • Breathlessness with activity or at rest
  • Ankle, leg and feet swelling
  • Bloating of the abdomen
  • A cough while lying down
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty lying flat to sleep
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Chest pressure or discomfort
  • Dizziness or fainting

Heart Failure

Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart has weakened and is not pumping as well as it should. About 5.7 million Americans suffer from heart failure and it is the leading cause of hospitalization among people over the age of 65. Heart failure is typically a chronic or long-term condition that gets worse over time.

Symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Chronic coughing
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Lack of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Mental confusion
  • Swelling
  • Rapid weight gain

This February, and all year round, it is important to pay attention to any symptoms that may be a sign of heart disease. If these symptoms sound familiar, make an appointment to see your doctor. Southwoods Cardiology is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive care and works with your primary care physician to ensure that care is coordinated. If you are in need of cardiovascular care and are interested in an evaluation, ask your doctor for a referral.

Since 1964, the United States has recognized American Heart Month in February as a time to bring awareness to heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.

Many people are either unaware they have suffered a heart attack or just ignore the signs as they’re experiencing one. So how do you know if what you’re experiencing is a heart attack and when should you reach out for help?

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience any of the following warning signs:

  • Chest discomfort. One of the most obvious symptoms is discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts a few minutes – or goes away and returns. It’s usually described as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. In addition to your chest, discomfort in other areas of the upper body including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach are common.
  • Shortness of breath. This can happen with or without chest pain.
  • Other signs. Other possible signs include lightheadedness, nausea, or breaking out in a cold sweat for no apparent reason.

Health conditions, your lifestyle, and your age and family history can increase your risk for heart disease. While some of these cannot be controlled, such as age or family history, you can take steps to lower your risk by changing the factors you can control. Ways to reduce your risk and help improve your heart health include:

  • Annual visits to your Primary Care Physician
  • Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes a week)
  • Control your blood pressure
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Keep your cholesterol in check
  • Limit alcohol
  • Sleep 7 hours or more every night
  • Quit smoking and avoid being around second-hand smoke
  • Manage stress

It’s also recommended you maintain a healthy weight and eat foods low in saturated and trans fats while avoiding foods high in sodium and added sugars. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s very important to take your prescribed medication while monitoring your blood sugar levels.

February is a great reminder of the importance of heart health, ways to prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects. Southwoods Cardiology is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive care. Southwoods’ cardiologists work with your primary care physician to ensure that care is coordinated. If you are in need of cardiovascular care and are interested in an evaluation, contact your primary care physician for a referral.

If you don’t have a Primary Care Physician or it’s been a while since your last regular check-up, Southwoods Health has a network of Primary Care Physicians with offices conveniently located around the Mahoning Valley. Visit Southwoods Primary Care to schedule an appointment today.

Heart Disease Stats & Facts

Infographic (source: American Heart Association)

During Heart Month and all year long, Southwoods Cardiologists are spreading awareness about the role your lifestyle plays in ensuring your heart is healthy. Exercise is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially when it comes to heart health. Your heart is a muscle, so strengthening it is one of the best things you can do. Whether it is getting in the gym or taking a daily walk, any type of movement is important to heart health. Keep reading to learn the best exercises for a healthy heart.

Walking

While it may seem simple, walking is one of the best exercises you can do for your heart and it fits into any lifestyle. You can walk 30 minutes at lunch around your parking lot, stroll through your neighborhood after dinner or speed walk through the park. Just grab a pair of good tennis shoes, a friend or your favorite music, and hit the road!

Interval Training

Interval training, sometimes called HIIT, is exercise that alternates between short bursts of high-intensity exercise with active recovery in between. This type of exercise is great for people who only have a short amount of time to work out and want to make the most of it. Interval training will raise and lower your heart rate, which helps burn more calories and improve function of your blood vessels. If you’re looking for an intense workout and are short on time, interval training may be perfect for you.

Swimming

While swimming is a great leisure activity on a hot sunny day, it can also be a great form of exercise. Swimming laps or taking a water aerobics class can help strengthen the whole body, including your heart. While it is a great aerobic activity, it also offers low impact on your joints making it a great exercise for people that suffer from joint pain.

Yoga

Yoga is a type of exercise that is fantastic for the mind, body and soul. A gentle flow can help you stretch while toning and strengthening your muscles. Some types of yoga, like hot yoga or power yoga can get your heart rate up to get your blood pumping while calming your mind and lowering your blood pressure.

Strength Training

Strength exercises involve weights, resistance bands or body weight exercises that help build muscle mass and burn fat. While most people think they have to go to the gym to do strength training, there are many exercises that can help you build muscle in the comfort of your own home. Push ups, squats and resistance band exercises are just a few. Paired with light cardio, strength exercises can be a low impact way to gain muscle and stay fit.

Cycling

Another low impact exercise that is great for your cardiovascular health is cycling. If you live in a town where it is possible, swapping a quick car ride for a bike ride can have huge health benefits. If you can’t, there are plenty of bike trails or parks perfect for a bike ride. When the weather isn’t suitable, there are affordable options for at-home cycling bikes or spinning classes at local gyms.

These are just a few of the countless types of exercise that can benefit your heart health. Doctors recommend getting at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, and with so many options to choose from, you can stay active without getting bored.

Southwoods Cardiology is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive care and works with your primary care physician to ensure that care is coordinated. If you are in need of cardiovascular care and are interested in an evaluation, contact your primary care physician for a referral.

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