By Caroline K. Stratz, M.D
Q:It seems as if heart disease has been in the media a lot
recently. What should I know?
A: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States.
Each year about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. Fortunately, in many instances, it is preventable. Here’s what you should know:
Heart disease can take many forms but the most concerning is coronary artery disease. In this case, the vessels supplying the heart with blood are narrowed or clogged, usually due to atherosclerosis. This is caused by a gradual buildup of cholesterol or other substances inside the artery. If an artery becomes so clogged that blood cannot flow through it, it may lead to a heart attack. A heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction) is where part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies due to lack of oxygen. If blood can’t get there, neither can the oxygen! Heart attacks can also be caused by a blood clot obstructing blood flow, but again these tend to occur where atherosclerosis has narrowed the artery.
Symptoms of a heart attack may feel like a pressure or crushing pain in your chest, sometimes with sweating, nausea or vomiting. Some people, especially diabetics, may have mild or burning pain resembling heartburn. You may also feel pain that extends from your chest into the jaw, left arm, or left shoulder. Shortness of breath may also accompany the chest pain. Don’t ignore this type of pain! If you think you may be having a heart attack, get help immediately. The sooner you get treatment, the greater chance that doctors can save the muscle and prevent further damage.
There are many procedures that can help diagnose heart disease. They include electrocardiography (ECG), stress testing, cardiac catherizations and angiography. Blood tests to measure sugar levels (to test for diabetes), cholesterol and heart muscle enzymes (which can increase with damage to heart muscle) tests are often performed. There are also newer blood tests such as the C-reactive protein which may be an indicator of inflammation in the arteries and a sign of future problems.
The main risk factors for coronary disease and possible heart attacks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, diabetes, smoking and a family history of heart disease. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk factors and the steps you can take to minimize them. As always, you should be encouraged to ask you doctor questions about your health and lifestyle with the goal of preventing health problems before they occur.
., is an internist in private practice near El Camino Hospital. Her practice focuses on “personalized” health care that emphasizes comprehensive medical histories and examinations, health risk and lifestyle appraisals and making herself accessible to her patients. For more information, contact Dr. Stratz, 988-9975.
