St. Luke’s to offer “Updates in Cardiac Care” today at 4 p.m.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute. But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for men and women aren’t the same.

What are the warning signs? Heart attack symptoms can include chest pain and radiating discomfort in one or both arms, the back and may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, jaw pain, nausea, irregular pain in the lower or upper back can indicate stress to the heart muscle and even flu-like symptoms are often reported weeks and days before a heart attack.

How can you help control the risk of heart disease? St. Luke’s Hospital is offering a free education program on “Updates in Cardiac Care.” Presented by Cardiologist Robert Macdonald, MD, FRCP, FACC, FSCAI, the free program will be offered at the hospital Thursday, Feb. 2, at 4 p.m. in the library/boardroom at St. Luke’s Hospital. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited. Call 828-894-0972 to reserve a seat or for more information.

Dr. Macdonald is Board certified in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology. While his main office is located Spartanburg, S.C., Dr. Macdonald sees patients in Columbus each month in St. Luke’s Medical office building three on the St. Luke’s Hospital campus.

The American Heart Association shares seven easy ways to help control one’s risk for heart disease:

1. Get active

Daily physical activity increases length and quality of life. If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day (like brisk walking), five times per week, you can almost guarantee yourself a healthier and more satisfying life while lowering your risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

2. Control cholesterol

When you control your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries their best chance to remain clear of blockages. Cholesterol is a waxy substance and our bodies use it to make cell membranes and some hormones, but when you have too much bad cholesterol (LDL), it combines with white blood cells and forms plaque in your veins and arteries. These blockages lead to heart disease and stroke.

3. Eat better

Healthy foods are the fuel our bodies use to make new cells and create the energy we need to thrive and fight diseases. If you are frequently skipping out on veggies, fruit, low-fat dairy, fiber-rich whole grains, and lean meats including fish, your body is missing the basic building blocks for a healthy life.

4. Manage blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. When your blood pressure stays within healthy ranges, you reduce the strain on your heart, arteries, and kidneys which keeps you healthier longer.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, means the blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts pressure on your arteries, stretching them past their healthy limit and causing microscopic tears. Our body then kicks into injury-healing mode to repair these tears with scar tissue. But unfortunately, the scar tissue traps plaque and white blood cells which can form into blockages, blood clots, and hardened, weakened arteries.

5. Lose weight

If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist — you’re at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. If you’re overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. Even losing as few as five or ten pounds can produce a dramatic blood pressure reduction.

6. Reduce blood sugar

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (or blood sugar) that our bodies use for energy. Your body makes a hormone called insulin that acts like a carrier to take your food energy into your cells. If your fasting blood sugar level is below 100, you are in the healthy range. If not, your results could indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Although diabetes is treatable and you can live a healthy life with this condition, even when glucose levels are under control it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, most people with diabetes die from some form of heart or blood vessel disease.

7. Stop smoking

Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. Smoking damages your entire circulatory system, and increases your risk for coronary heart disease, hardened arteries, aneurysm and blood clots. Like a line of tumbling dominoes, one risk creates another. Blood clots and hardened arteries increase your risks for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease. Smoking can also reduce your good cholesterol (HDL) and your lung capacity, making it harder to get the physical activity you need for better health.

To further bring attention to Heart Awareness Month, St. Luke’s Hospital is also supporting “Wear Red Day,” Friday, Feb. 3.

– article submitted by Kathy Woodham