Colusa Regional Medical Center, Caring for Our Community

Love Your Heart This Valentines Day!

With Valentines Day approaching we have thoughts of romance, love, chocolate and sweethearts.  February isn’t just for Valentines Day, but it is also American Heart Health Month.  This month, we celebrate Heart Month to raise awareness of the symptoms and prevention of heart disease. 

Heart disease is known as the silent killer because people can go many years thinking they are fine, and then WHAM, they have a heart attack and it is too late.  Heart disease is caused when plaque (fatty material) builds up on the walls of your heart’s blood vessels.  Over time, calcium in your body causes the plaque to harden.   This is a gradual process that takes time for it to accumulate to a dangerous level.  However, a heart attack occurs when the heart muscle fails due to a blockage of a coronary artery. Because the heart muscle is unable to receive blood and oxygen it produces chest pains.  If within a few minutes blood flow does not begin irreversible damage will occur to the heart muscle.  Several tests can be ordered by your doctor to help better evaluate the health of your heart.  Check with your physician to determine what is best for you.

Today, both men and women are at risk for heart disease.  Men tend to develop heart disease earlier than women.  After menopause, women begin to develop and die of heart disease at a rate equal to that of men.  Women may now be at a higher risk than men because they do not recognize the early signs of heart attack and women are more likely to die within a year after their first heart attack. Cardiovascular disease is the single largest killer of women in the United States, accounting for almost 500,000 deaths every year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Know the warning signs of a heart attack

• Unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath , sudden numbness, weakness or dizziness  
• Shortness of breath, often without chest pain of any kind
• Flu-like symptoms – specifically nausea, clamminess or cold sweats
• Pain in the chest, upper back, shoulders, neck, jaw, arm or below the breastbone  
• Feelings of anxiety, loss of appetite, discomfort
• Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats

Listen to your body. Don't ignore your symptoms. Get help fast.  CALL 911.

Whether or not you are at risk for heart disease depends on a variety of factors. Some, like your age, gender, and family history, are beyond your control.  Others, like whether or not you smoke, are completely within your power to change.  Heart disease is often caused by the accumulation of unhealthy habits over time.  Fortunately, most heart disease is preventable and many effects of bad habits can be reversed through lifestyle changes.  Here are some tips to take chare of your heart health:

Eat heart healthy foods

Your diet plays a significant role in your risk of heart disease.  Lowering your intake of saturated fat, and cholesterol (LDL cholesterol is known as the "bad" cholesterol, because high levels are linked to heart disease), and limiting salt can help reduce blood pressure.  The American Heart Association, www.Americanheart.org recommends that a healthy diet mixed with fruit, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, nuts, legumes, nuts, poultry, fish and lean meats helps promote good heart health.

Exercise everyday

Exercise improves heart function, lowers blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol.  It can also help control diabetes and obesity.  Whether you’re routine includes a structured aerobics program or exercise is just a part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart.  Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a vigorous exercise program, especially if you are middle-aged or older, have health problems or have been inactive for a long time.

Have an annual check-up

Schedule an appointment with your physician to assess your risk.  Ask for tests that measure your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and body mass index.  Remember to share information about your family health history with your physician.  Based on your individual risk, your doctor may recommend appropriate therapies to reduce high blood cholesterol, manage diabetes, lower high blood pressure and treat other medical conditions.

Stop smoking

If you smoke, QUIT!  A smokers’ risk of heart attack is more than twice than that of nonsmokers.  It is never too late to stop smoking.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight forces your heart to work harder.  People who have excess body fat, especially around the waist, are at higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Try to avoid stress

Everyone experiences stress, but responds to it differently.  Too much stress over a long time may create health problems in some people. 

Call 911 if you think you or your loved one is having a heart attack, even though his/her symptoms do not follow textbook symptoms.  Not everyone gets all of the warning signs. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary. Every minute counts, even if the symptoms seem to disappear, sometimes these signs can go away and return.  Call 911 right away!   Treatments are most effective if given within one hour of when the attack begins. The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for professional medical advice.

This Valentines day, “Love Your Heart” and help yourself to stay committed to a heart-healthily lifestyle.  Don’t expect change to happen overnight. Start by working on one unhealthy habit at a time, and soon you'll be on your way to a heart-healthier way of life.   For more information about heart disease or CT technology contact Colusa Regional Medical Center’s Specialty Clinic at (530) 458-3243.