Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, killing about 600,000 Americans each year according to the Center for Disease Control.
In order to promote lifestyle choices that help to prevent and control the incidence of heart disease in our country, the CDC recognizes this month–February–as American Heart Month.
Guthrie County Hospital Cardiac Rehab Manager Christine Drake deals with patients who have heart troubles on a daily basis, and she feels this month is particularly important, as it gives her the forum to help local residents live heart healthier lives.
“Exercising, watching cholesterol intake, saturated fat intake and sodium intake–things like that are all preventative things that we can do to make sure that we either prevent or postpone the development of cardiovascular disease.”
With it being American Heart Month, Drake says residents should be aware of the fact heart disease is not selective. As part of her cardiac rehab plan, Drake says she’s had a patient as young as 17 and patients in their 90s.
There are many signs and symptoms of heart disease or of a heart attack that Drake feels people should be conscious of, especially because those signs can often be subtle.
“People can start experience fatigue that might be new and they may just attribute that to getting older. Also, shortness of breath or what we call activity intolerance–maybe six months ago you could climb a flight of stairs but now when you do that you’re extremely fatigued. Of course there are the classic symptoms like chest pressure or chest discomfort, a burning sensation in the chest and up into the throat, jaw pain, some people even suffer headaches, sweating, nausea or vomiting–(those) can all be signs of a heart attack.”
To promote American Heart Month, Drake says GCH is advising that local residents come in for a lipid panel screening this month to have their cholesterol checked. Screenings cost $20 but most insurance plans will cover that cost by deeming it a wellness exam.