 | Heather Baima is the Nurse Practitioner for Dr. Ali Hammad, MD. She has been with Dr. Hammad since 2010. She received a Master of Science in Nursing from Pittsburg State University.
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Health & Medicine
2013-03-25 16:11:16
Things you may not know about Coronary heart disease. Part 2
A-In the February edition, we discussed a few known risk factors that you can and cannot control as it relates to heart disease. We continue the discussion here.
Aspirin, to take or not to take? That is a very good question. If you have had a heart attack or stroke, aspirin can help lower the risk of a second one. Aspirin also does help to keep arteries open in people who have had a heart bypass surgery or angioplasty. Studies do show that for a healthy woman over the age of 65, taking a low dose aspirin every other day may help to prevent a first attack. The key word here is may help.
But, should you take aspirin as treatment to prevent a heart attack if you have never had a heart attack? Well, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration do not approve aspirin for the prevention heart attacks and strokes for people who have never had a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin can cause serious side effects and may not mix with other medications. So, it is always in your best interest to discuss with your care provider if daily aspirin is right for you.
So, you have done all the right things, but you think you are having a heart attack. What do you do? Know the warning signs. The main warning signs for women and men are chest discomfort, which may feel like a pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. The discomfort may be mild or severe and it may come and go. Some people also experience discomfort in other areas of the body including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or possibly the stomach. You may have shortness of breath that may or may not occur with chest discomfort. Other possible signs may include nausea, light-headedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat. If you have any of the symptoms the most important thing is get help quickly. Time is of the essence if you believe you may be having a heart attack. Call emergency medical services; do not drive yourself to the nearest emergency department. Emergency medical staff can begin treatment even before you get to the hospital. They have special training and equipment to take of you.
Many women delay getting medical help for a heart attack because they do not want to be a bother or they fear it may be a false alarm. Many women just feel they are too busy and something like a heart attack would not happen to them. When in doubt get it checked out.
If you do have heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol and your care provider has prescribed medication for you then be compliant. If you have any questions regarding your medications please be sure to discuss this with your care provider they will be happy to answer your questions. This helps you to stay informed and take an active part in your treatment.
Becoming heart healthy may seem like a large undertaking. It does mean changing your normal daily routine. However, it does not have to be overwhelming. For most people it is easier to tackle one change at a time. Remember nobody is perfect. We all have days when we may not exercise as much as we wanted to or we splurged on our diet. Do not get discouraged. Just get back on track. Be sure you are following a realistic plan for you that will help you be successful. Everyone is different. Taking steps to a healthier lifestyle will help reward you with a healthier heart. So, get started today.
Resource: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association.
