Pink Prescriptions - February 2025

Matters of the Heart: Facts You Need to Know About Heart Health

PinkRx1122February 2025 Issue — Pink Prescriptions

Matters of the Heart
Facts You Need to Know About Heart Health

Matters of the heart are serious. More than any other female medical condition, heart disease is No. 1, and in this case, it is not a good thing. It is the No. 1 cause of stroke, disability, and death in women…and men. Once thought to be only a concern for men, women need to take heart when it comes to their heart health.
Is your body communicating signs or symptoms? Are you paying attention? These Pink Prescriptions’ heart-healthy answers to our questions, provided by local cardiology experts, are the facts. Educate yourself! Do not ignore the signs! Talk to your care provider and ask questions. It’s your health, and when it comes to matters of the heart, it can be as serious as a heart attack. Read on to learn more.

 


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By Erin Sullivan, ANP-BC | Hilton Head Heart, now part of Novant Health


Heart disease runs in my family, and I’ve heard a coronary calcium scan can show problems before any symptoms occur. Should I have one done?
A coronary calcium scan is a painless, noninvasive CT scan that measures calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of the heart. The scan results in a coronary calcium score, which is a good tool to assess for development of coronary atherosclerosis or plaque. It may help your health care team determine if you should be on more aggressive secondary prevention with medications such as a statin or statin alternative, or if you can maintain primary prevention in order to prevent heart attack. Calcium scores may also identify high-risk patients in order to get them set up for further diagnostic testing.

45.7 percent of women have high blood pressure in America.
How can high blood pressure increase my risk of heart attack
or stroke? What can I do to lower my blood pressure, and
should I monitor it at home, as well?
High blood pressure is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it is extremely important to be aware and monitor it at home, especially if you have a family history of hypertension and/or heart disease. Approximately 45 percent of all adults in the US have or are at an increased risk of developing elevated blood pressure according to the American College of Cardiology. High blood pressure can not only increase your risk for heart attack, but also increases risk of developing other cardiovascular issues such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke. Adults should aim at reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) to <130 mmHg. Non-pharmacological interventions that you can take to lower blood pressure include regular low impact physical exercise, such as walking, biking, swimming, etc. for at least 30 minutes three to four times per week. Incorporating a heart healthy diet, sodium restriction, and limiting alcohol can also assist with lowering blood pressure. Men should limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day and women to no more than one drink per day.

Erin Sullivan is a Nurse Practitioner with more than nine years of experience, specializing in cardiology. She practices at Hilton Head location os Hilton Head Heart’s. Call (843) 682-2800 to schedule an appointment.


PinkRx1124 Calvert
By Dr. Elliot Calvert | Knobel, MD Direct Primary Care

What can women do to reduce their risk of heart disease?
Women can decrease their risk for heart disease in a variety of ways, the foundation of which is a healthy lifestyle. Consistent exercise, eating whole, unprocessed foods, and maintaining a healthy weight are the most important first steps to a healthy heart. The importance of sleep, stress management, and maintaining healthy relationships also cannot be overstated. Try to keep alcohol consumption down to one drink per day, and not drink every day. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit. After you’ve improved your lifestyle, the second step is to work with your primary care provider to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Once these are under control, managing chronic conditions is most important. Diabetes, in particular, accelerates heart disease, so make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your blood sugars consistently at healthy levels.

Does heart disease increase your risk for stroke?
Unfortunately, some of the most common causes of heart disease also increase your risk for stroke. Atherosclerosis, or cholesterol plaque buildup in arteries, causes both heart attacks and strokes. When plaque builds up in arteries, it can eventually block blood flow. In the heart, this causes a heart attack, in the brain, this causes a stroke. High blood pressure, which puts strain on the heart and blood vessels, also increases the risk of stroke by putting strain on the arteries in the brain. Other conditions such as atrial fibrillation or heart valve problems can cause blood clots to form. If not managed appropriately, these blood clots can go to the brain and cause a stroke. To minimize your risk of stroke, work with your primary care provider to manage blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels through healthy eating, exercise and appropriate medications.

Board Certified Family Physician Elliot Calvert, MD graduated from MUSC and completed his residency at AnMed in Anderson, SC. He is excited to practice medicine in a Direct Primary Care fashion alongside Dr. Laura Knobel. Call today for more information: 843-836-2200; 29 Plantation Drive, Suite 202, Bluffton, www.knobelmd.com.




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By Dr. Francis O’Neill | Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists


If I have heart attack or stroke symptoms at home, should I call an ambulance or have a loved one drive me to the hospital?

When in doubt, call 911. It may be tempting to drive, but serious changes can occur in moments, affecting your health’s stability. Heart attack symptoms can vary between men and women, but warning signs can include:
• Chest pain or discomfort (fullness, pressure or squeezing)
• Discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting

If you’re experiencing heart attack or stroke symptoms, the sooner you get to the emergency room, the better.

An ambulance’s arrival allows emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to begin medical treatment immediately, and time is of the essence if you think you’re having a heart attack or stroke. Paramedics can assess your condition, monitor your vitals, and administer some immediate treatments while actively communicating with the hospital to expedite necessary tests and even mobilize the on-call team, all in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

I’ve heard some horror stories about people getting sent home after experiencing heart attack-like symptoms. How should I advocate for myself if I go to the emergency room or doctor thinking I’m having a heart attack? What tests should I ask for when advocating for my care?
Emergency departments generally follow a certain protocol when it is suspected that a patient is having a heart attack. Patients will undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG), and oftentimes an ECG is even performed in an ambulance en route to the hospital. This test measures your heart’s electrical activity and helps look for both arrhythmias and signs of heart attack. If no immediate heart attack is initially shown by the ECG, a physician will follow up afterward to gather information about a patient’s medical history and more details about the symptoms to assess what test or exam to perform. Patients can expect blood tests, chest x-rays and/or an exercise stress test, which can allow doctors to check your risk of future heart attacks.
To best advocate for yourself, it’s important to be aware of any heart conditions or risk factors you may have, including family history, that could increase your risk of a heart attack. Talk to your primary care doctor to find out what lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk.

Francis “Frank” O’Neill, M.D., is an interventional cardiologist with Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists in Beaufort and Okatie and is board-certified in internal medicine and fellowship-trained in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology. Call (843) 770-4550 to schedule an appointment.


The following information is provided by:
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) vs Heart Attack
A sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack are both emergency situation. Dial 911 immediately!

What is the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack?

Simply, a sudden cardiac arrest is an ‘electrical’ malfunction in the heart that causes it to stop beating, depriving the brain, lungs, and other organs of vital oxygen.

A heart attack is a ‘plumbing’ problem when one of the coronary arteries become blocked, preventing oxygen-rich blood reaching the heart.


Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

How do I know if I am witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
Initial signs that an individual is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest are:
• Sudden collapse
• No pulse
• Loss of consciousness
• No breathing
Prior to going into cardiac arrest, an individual may complain they are experiencing:
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in chest
• Pounding heart or strange flutterings

What do I do when an individual collapses?
• If you think someone has gone into cardiac arrest, first call 911 immediately.
They will be unconscious.
• Perform CPR to the beat of ‘Stayin’ Alive’ to maintain blood flow to the brain and heart until the arrival of a defibrillator (AED) and paramedics. CPR is vitally important,
as it buys time before the heart can be re-started with a defibrillator.
• Defibrillation: An AED sends an electric shock to the heart in an attempt to restore its normal rhythm. If it is a community AED, follow the instructions until emergency services arrive. You cannot harm the patient.


Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

How do I recognize the signs that someone
is having a heart attack?
• Heart attack symptoms can vary in discomfort from mild to severe.
They can be sudden or experienced over days.
• Chest pain, including pressure, tightness or mistaken indigestion
that does not go away.
• Pain in either arm, spreading up to the neck and back.
• Nausea, sweating, dizziness , abdominal pain, fatigue, anxiety

What do I do if an individual is having a heart attack?
• It is essential to dial 911 immediately, as a heart attack
is a medical emergency.
• A patient is likely to be aware, but will be struggling with chest pains
and discomfort, as well as being frightened.
• Reassure that medical help is coming. Make the individual comfortable.


— Fast Action Can Save Lives —
Acting quickly could be the difference between life and death and can greatly improve survival rates and limit damage.

How can CPR and an AED make a difference?
Early defibrillation using an AED is the only way to re-establish the heart’s natural rhythm following sudden cardiac arrest. CPR is necessary to keep the patient alive until the heart rhythm is restored. It is essential AEDs are publicly accessible, so lifesaving equipment is available to anyone, whatever time of day.

Who can use an AED?
Anyone! Using an AED is easy and can cause no harm when instructions are followed. The Resuscitation Council AED Guidelines advise that an AED can be used safely and effectively without previous training and therefore should not be restricted to trained rescuers. AEDs analyze the heart’s rhythm and will only deliver a shock if needed, and if no one is in danger. Everyone should familiarize themselves with AEDs.

Pacemakers and Internal Cardioverter Defibrillators:
It is safe to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on someone who has a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). It is important not to place the pads in contact with or directly over the device. The pads are usually placed on the upper right of the chest and on the left side of the rib cage, so a device should not get in the way. If someone has an implanted device, you will notice a scar and a bump. Place the pad to the side of the device (about 3cm). The shock produced could affect the functioning of the pacemaker or device, however the benefits of using the AED to save someone’s life outweigh this potential risk. If you receive CPR or defibrillation, you should have your device checked afterwards to ensure the settings are still accurate. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your cardiologist.

For more information, visit www.heartrhythmalliance.org

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