By Katrina Ostwald, RN, Abrazo Health
Your heart may belong to your Valentine, but it’s truly yours to keep healthy.
Valentine’s Day is a good time to remind the public that heart disease is still a leading killer of men and women in the U.S., yet it can be managed, and in some cases, prevented altogether.
The heart is a muscular organ that is vital in pumping oxygen-rich blood and nutrients throughout the body. When the heart cannot perform this function properly, people may begin experiencing a variety of symptoms.
What does the term heart disease really mean, are you at risk, and how can you help prevent it?
The most common forms of heart disease are: heart failure, heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias.
Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. People may experience shortness of breath with activity, swelling in the legs, rapid weight gain, and increased fatigue, these are often dismissed as being age related or out of shape.
Heart valve disease is when one of the valves in the heart is not working correctly. The symptoms are similar to heart failure and can include, shortness of breath with activity, fatigue, swelling in the legs/feet, dizziness, or chest pain. There have been many advancements in treatment options for valvular disease, including the transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
Coronary artery disease is a build-up of plaque in the arteries that can decrease the blood supply to the heart and may lead to a heart attack.
The most common symptoms of a heart attack are chest pain/pressure, or pain that occur in the shoulders, arms, back, jaw, or it may also present like indigestion. The pain may get worse with activity and decrease at rest.
Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms occur when the electrical impulses in the heart are not working correctly. Common symptoms may include fluttering in the chest, sweating, fatigue and dizziness.
The traditional risk factors for heart disease — such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity — affect women and men equally. It’s an equal opportunity condition. Women may not experience the classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack, which is why annual health screenings are so important.
Making healthy lifestyle choices can make a world of difference. Stay active and keep your body moving, try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days per week.
Follow a healthy diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid fast or processed food, maintain a healthy weight, try to manage your stress, quit smoking, and get your regular health screening and physicals.
Having even one of the risk factors for heart disease can be dangerous. But having multiple risks is even more serious because risk factors tend to intensify the effects of others and increase your chances of developing a heart condition.
The good news is that there are many treatment options for heart disease that not only allow patients to live longer, but also improve their quality of life.
Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you’re experiencing symptoms that seem to be life-threatening. Regular check-ups with your doctor can help identify risks and treatment for heart disease.
Being proactive about your health can help you enjoy time with your Valentine year after year.
Editor’s note: Katrina Ostwald, RN, is structural heart nurse navigator at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale.
