Love Your Heart

A Message from Dr. Stephen Kindred – Assistant Vice President, Corporate Medical

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 695,000 people die of heart disease each year in the United States. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American Indians, Alaska Natives, African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Although heart disease is often considered a man’s disease, it is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), often believed to be a single condition, is actually a group of conditions. You can be born with some forms of CVD, while others may develop over time. Angina, arthrosclerosis, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and heart attacks all fall into the category of CVD.

About two and a half years ago, Joe, an Underwriter in Fire Operations at the Columbia Operations Center, began to notice some discomfort. At first, Joe experienced some increased pressure in his head when he bent over. He also began gaining weight. Joe’s family encouraged him to seek medical treatment, as they feared he might be showing early symptoms of hypertension.

What’s Your Risk?

  • Men. Men are at a greater risk for heart attack than women. In 2005, 322,841 men died from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for men in the U.S. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the average age of men at the time of their first heart attack is 66.
  • Women. Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and pain in the back or jaw. The death rate associated with heart disease rises for women after menopause.
  • Advance Age. 82 percent of individuals who die from coronary heart disease are 65 years of age or older.
  • Heredity. Individuals with parents who have heart disease are at higher risk. African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans are also at an increased risk for heart disease.

Joe’s symptoms, along with his family history, forced him to take a serious look at his health. He visited his doctor for some tests and discovered he had hypertension, or elevated blood pressure. Joe began doing research on his condition. “I realized it wasn’t the end of the world,” Joe said after learning that many individuals live with hypertension. “But I also knew I needed to make a change.”

Joe’s action steps started with a focus on weight control. He increased his exercise and decreased his sodium intake. Although he was able to reduce his blood pressure, it was not quite enough to put Joe within his optimal range, so he went to his primary care physician. Joe’s doctor prescribed a medication to help lower his blood pressure.

Like Joe, you do not have the ability to change your gender, your age, or your family, but there are risk factors that you can modify to decrease your risk for heart disease. For example, FDA studies show that a 10% decrease in total cholesterol may decrease the risk of developing coronary heart disease by 30%. Other things you can do include:

  • Quit smoking
  • Lower your blood pressure
  • Increase daily activity
  • Control or reduce your risk of Diabetes Mellitus
  • Look for ways to reduce stress
  • Maintain a healthy weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)

Approximately 47% of cardiac deaths occur before emergency services arrive or before transport to a hospital. While treatment is important after a heart attack, it is even more important to prevent heart disease!

Thanks to his continued efforts to eat heart healthy and exercise, Joe lowered his blood pressure and hopes to discontinue his blood pressure medication in the near future. Joe’s family exercises and eats healthy with him. “It was a personal choice for me to make these lifestyle changes, and it’s made a big difference in how I feel” Joe said.

Altering your risk factors is a simple way to decrease your likelihood of heart disease. Once you’ve improved upon one factor, you may feel empowered to continue to lower other risks! Start exercising, eat better, quit smoking and monitor your health!

Warning signs of a Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest
The American Heart Association (AHA) lists the following as signs and symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes. Chest discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas possibly including one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Additional signs include: cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

If you’re uncertain if you are having a heart attack, it’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

The American Heart Association lists sudden loss of responsiveness and abnormal breathing as signs of cardiac arrest. In the presence of these symptoms, call 911 immediately, get an AED and begin CPR if you are trained. The health of your heart is a vital part of empowering you to Live Well, Be Well.

Resources:
 
 

Home > About > Retirees