Pink Prescriptions - February 2026
Heart Health 101: Signs, Symptoms, & Smart Choices
February 2026 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Heart Health 101: Signs, Symptoms, & Smart Choices
Heart health deserves our attention. While heart disease remains the leading health threat for women and men—and the No. 1 cause of stroke, disability, and death—awareness gives us power. These facts remind us how meaningful it is to care for ourselves and the lives we love.
For many years, heart disease was thought of as a men’s issue. Today, we know better. Women’s heart health matters deeply and understanding the risks is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself.
Your body is wise and often gives gentle signals when something isn’t quite right. Are you noticing what it may be telling you?
We asked trusted, local cardiology experts to answer common questions and share heart-healthy insights designed to inform and empower.
Don’t brush off concerns or quiet signals—talk with your healthcare provider, ask questions, and be an active partner in your care. This is your health, your heart, your life. With awareness, conversation, and small, thoughtful choices, you can maximize your heart health—today and for years to come. Read on to learn more.
Terry Grainger, M.D., FACC
Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists
How do I know if I’m having a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when oxygen-rich blood can’t get to the heart, either because a blood clot or one (or more) narrowed coronary arteries has blocked or limited blood flow.
Common heart attack warning signs in both men and women include:
• Chest pain, discomfort, pressure, squeezing, burning, aching or tightness
• Feeling of fullness in the chest
• Pain that travels down your arms
• Shortness of breath
• Jaw pain
Are symptoms different for women?
Women have several additional symptoms that may indicate they are experiencing a heart attack. These symptoms are:
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting or indigestion
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Heartburn
Whether you’re a man or a woman, reducing your risk of heart disease looks the same: eat a heart-healthy diet (like the Mediterranean diet, prioritizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, plant-based fats and limit the consumption of red meat), exercise regularly, reduce your everyday stress levels and work with your healthcare provider to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Is my chest pain serious, or just indigestion?
It may be hard to determine if your chest pain is simply indigestion or an indication of a larger issue. The bottom line: the higher your risk for heart disease, the more serious you should take your chest pain. Risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking.
It’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to chest pain. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above heart attack symptoms, call 911 for an ambulance. You may be tempted to drive yourself or have a family member, spouse or friend drive you, but the trained paramedics and EMTs on an ambulance will begin your assessment on the way to the hospital, ensuring that ER staff are prepared for your arrival.
Terry Grainger, M.D., FACC is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiologist who sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists, specializing in preventive care and cardiovascular disease. call (843) 770-4550 to schedule an appointment.
Timothy Alikakos, MD
Novant Health Heart & Vascular
What is the best exercise for my heart?
The best exercise for you is one that gets your heart rate going a bit that you will do consistently. While high intensity is important, frequency and consistency are key. You do not need to run marathons. From a cardiologist’s perspective, brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging are excellent because they raise your heart rate safely and relatively consistently. Aim for 2-3 hours spread out per week of moderate aerobic activity (like brisk walking on a level surface). You can also add some strength training, if desired, as this also promotes heart health. Just get moving and make it consistent.
How does my family history affect me?
A family history of heart disease increases your risk of heart disease, especially if close relatives were affected at a young age. It does not mean that heart disease is inevitable, and you will not necessarily get the same set of genes. It does mean that your own current lifestyle choices matter even more. Knowing your numbers and maintaining healthy levels of measures such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol is very important.
Can heart disease be reversed?
In a matter of speaking and in many cases, yes. While existing damage or injury, such as a heart attack, can’t always be undone, aggressive lifestyle changes, weight control, and sometimes medications can halt or at least slow down progression of disease, and sometimes this can improve heart function. Prevention and early action are always the best route for a healthy heart, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is always the best first line of defense against heart disease or any chronic illness.
Dr. Timothy Alikakos is a board-certified interventional cardiologist with Novant Health Heart & Vascular. Dr. Alikakos treats each patient as if they were family and remains upfront and direct with patient care leaving no question unanswered. Dr. Alikakos is accepting new patients—call
(843) 682-2800 to schedule an appointment.
Please join us at our Heart Health Awareness
Pink Heartini Partini on February 11.
See page 4 or click here for details!