Heart Matters

What’s Going Around – Matters of the Heart

Tomorrow you show your loved one you care. But a happy heart is not always a healthy one.  With roughly three hundred thousand deaths annually, it is still the number one killer of American women - more than the next ten causes combined! Diabetes, alcohol and smoking are major risk factors.

Signs and symptoms: Warning signs are often more subtle (and often ignored) in women. Not so much crushing chest pain as tightness or pressure. Sudden onset of lightheadedness or fatigue are common.

What to do: Don’t ignore it chest pain! Women tend to experience dangerous delays in treatment, partly because they downplay their symptoms. Learn the primary signs and act on them when suspected. Regular check-ups should include an EKG and cholesterol levels, and measuring blood pressure. See if daily aspirin is appropriate for you. The best preventative measures you can take are weight control and regular exercise. Smoking cessation is a great Valentine’s gift.

Thought for the day: Know the symptoms and cardiac signs, so you can take care of your Valentine.

What’s Going Around is contributed by family practice doctor Kyle Scarborough, M.D. You can reach him at drscarborough@familylifemedical.com.

Author

Dr. Kyle Scarborough Dr. Kyle Scarborough is a family medicine physician at Family Life Medical in Conroe, Texas. Dr. Scarborough offers care for the entire family, including wellness exams, diabetes care, hypertension treatment, geriatric care, well woman exam, school physicals, and pre-ops and hospital follow ups.