American Heart Month (February 2014)

American Heart Month Make a difference ... one heart at a time!

Convenient cardiac monitoring service, Zio Patch, now available at Olympic Medical Center

What you need to know about heart disease

Red, Set, Go! Luncheon

When stress takes a toll on your heart

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AMERICAN HEART MONTH

Red, Set, Go! The Olympic Medical Center Foundation will once again bring awareness to the North Olympic Peninsula for American Heart Month with its seventh annual Red, Set, Go! heart luncheon presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe.

The luncheon will be held Friday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. at Vern Burton Community Center, located at 308 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles.

The cost for individual tickets to the educational luncheon is $50. Tickets can be purchased directly from the OMC Foundation, located at 928 Caroline St. in Port Angeles by calling 360417-7144.

The luncheon originated in 2008 when the OMC Foundation began a three-year-campaign to raise awareness of the critical issue of women’s heart health on the North Olympic Peninsula. The campaign was so successful that the foundation has now committed to staging an annual event.

The fundraising luncheon is focused on education as the key to eradicating this disease.

According to the OMC Foundation, the purpose of the event is to inspire women to become more educated with the tools to improve their heart health.

Many women are surprised to hear that heart disease is the number one killer of women.

All proceeds raised at the luncheon will benefit local patients with heart disease issues.

According to the OMC Foundation, in the first five years, it has raised money that has benefited patients in the Olympic Medical Center’s cardiac services department and “saved lives.” The proceeds raised from the event have also allowed the foundation to partner with local law enforcement agencies to launch a community-wide Automated External Defribrillator program.

Continuing its focus on education, the keynote speaker for this year’s luncheon event is Dr. Sammuel Youssef, a Swedish Medical Center physician who specializes in cardiac and robotic surgery.

He has a passion for surgical education, has authored numerous books, book chapters and scientific articles, and is an accomplished public speaker.

For more information on the Red, Set, Go! heart luncheon, call the OMC Foundation at 360-417-7144 or visit omhf.org.

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FEBRUARY 2014

Speaker’s corner

Keynote Speaker: Samuel Youssef, MD Swedish Medical Center

Dr. Samuel Youssef is a thoracic surgeon specializing in cardiac and robotic surgery. He completed his residency in general surgery at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, followed by fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Conn.

He has studied with experts in the fields of robotic surgery in Belgium and cardiac transplantation in England. Youssef is board-certified in surgery and has authored several books and scientific articles.

Dr. Youssef is married with two children. He is an accomplished speaker whose hobbies include choral music, painting, coaching junior league basketball, ethnic cooking and home improvements.

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Be good to your heart

Story by Jennifer Veneklasen, Olympic Peninsula YMCA director of healthy lifestyles and member engagement February is American Heart Month, and a great time to pause and take stock of what you’re doing to maintain a healthy heart.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, contributing to about 600,000 deaths each year.

The root causes of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, are unhealthy behaviors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and tobacco use. Luckily, these are risk factors that we can all do something about.

In Port Angeles, the Olympic Peninsula YMCA is celebrating American Heart Month through a special membership promotion that strives to increase opportunities for people to be more physically active.

During February, the community is invited to try out the Y facility for free.

“The YMCA has more than 30 group fitness classes each week, offering everything from yoga to Zumba, and cycling to power hour,” said Kyle Cronk, Olympic

Peninsula YMCA chief executive officer.

“We have a fully equipped wellness center with dozens of cardio machines, free weights and staff to help you on your road to healthier living. Ask to schedule a free wellness orientation when you come into the Y. One of our wellness coaches will give you a tour and orient you to the Y’s equipment and class offerings.”

People who sign up for membership before the end of February will have their join fee waived — up to $75 in savings. Current members who refer a friend who joins will also receive a free month’s membership.

“Everyone is welcome,” Cronk said. “The YMCA is a nonprofit organization — thanks to the generosity of the local community and our annual Power of Community Campaign, the Y offers financial assistance to any individual or family who needs a little extra help.”

Learn more about the Y by visiting olympicpeninsulaymca.org, phoning 360-452-9244 or stopping by the facility at 302 S. Francis St. in Port Angeles.

Show your heart some love Consider these tips to help you maintain a healthy heart: • Decrease the amount of salt in your diet. Eat fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and read nutrition labels. American dietary guidelines recommend Americans limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligram per day.

• Be physically active for at least 150 minutes a week to help maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

• Don’t smoke. Using tobacco greatly increases the risk for heart disease. Find helpful information about tobacco use and quitting at smokefree.gov.

• Monitor your blood pressure and take medications prescribed by your doctor to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.

Never leave home unprepared again

Supporting Heart Health Awareness In Our Community.

Red, Set, Go heart luncheon attendees will receive a free Asprinpod — a small yet sturdy heart-shaped container that holds a potentially lifesaving aspirin.

The pod is designed to attach to keychains, purses, golf bags, briefcases, backpacks, coat zipper pulls and more. The concept of Asprinpod is to encourage people to be prepared by keeping an aspirin within reach at all times.

Some studies have shown that chewing one non-coated 325-milligram aspirin or four non-coated 81-milligram aspirins immediately when heart attack symptoms first occur can increase your chances of survival and decrease heart damage.

For more information about Aspirinpod, visit aspirinpod.com.

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When stress takes a toll on your heart

Story by Swedish Medical Center When you face danger, your body’s built-in alarm system triggers the production of adrenalin and cortisol.

Adrenalin makes your heart beat faster and cortisol produces sugar to help you physically and mentally react.

Your body returns to normal when the danger is over.

Unlike cavemen, barbarians and knights, we don’t face extreme danger very often. Unfortunately, every day stress also triggers your alarm system.

Work. Commute. Kids. Relatives.

Friends. Death of a loved one. Money.

Everything in life can cause stress.

Stress takes a toll on your body — including your heart. Because stress can linger, your body continues to produce extra adrenalin and cortisol.

“When your body’s alarm system doesn’t turn off, you may eat more, exercise less, lose sleep, argue more, forget things, get depressed, or smoke or drink more than usual,” said Dr. Paul Huang, an interventional cardiologist at the Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute.

“These things put an added burden on your heart and increase your risk

of heart disease. Recent studies have shown that laughter and positive thinking promote heart health, while anger and job stress can increase the risk of heart attacks.”

Here are some tips to protect your heart from stress: n Eat a healthy diet n Exercise regularly n Don’t smoke n Learn to say “no” n Relax n Laugh n Be realistic n Get enough sleep n Make friends For more tips, visit swedish.org/heart.

For more information about cardiac care in your community, visit Swedish Medical Center’s affiliate health partner Olympic Medical Center, at olympicmedical.org.

Swedish is an affiliate health partner of Olympic Medical Center, Forks Community Hospital and Jefferson Healthcare. Through this partnership, local physicians are able to have a more streamlined access to specialty services at Swedish, such as cardiac surgery.

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Heart Attack Signs

Men

n Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve

discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. n Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.

Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. n Shortness of breath. With or without chest discomfort. n Other signs. Signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Women

n Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or

pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back of the neck, jaw or stomach. n Shortness of breath. With or without chest discomfort. n Other signs. Such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. n Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms.

These include shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help.

Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

HeartAware risk test could save lives A free and confidential risk assesment tool provided by the Olympic Medical Center can help you assess your current cardiovascular health status and help to identify lifestyle or medical conditions that may lead to the development of heart disease.

The assessment takes approximately 7 minutes to complete. At the end of the test you will receive a comprehensive personal healthy report.

HeartAware will also help you take action to reduce your level of risk for heart disease as well as inform you of the cardiac services available through Olympic Medical Center.

For more information or to take the free risk assessment visit olympicmedical.org.

Six facts about the human heart Story by Metro Creative Graphics The heart is one of the essential components of human life. It was once also believed to be the center from where love and other emotions emanated.

Many feel a heart can break and that it can know no bounds of love. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch was said to be nasty because his heart was “two sizes too small.”

Although there is mystery surrounding matters of the heart, there is much known about the physical makeup of the human heart.

Here are six facts about the human heart: 1. Heart attacks and heart disease may be viewed as an illness that primarly affects men. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, women have more cases of heart-related illnesses than men, and heart disease kills 500,000 American women a year, which is 50,000 more women than men.

2. A bigger heart isn’t necessarily a sign that a person is more inclined toward love.

An enlarged heart is actually a medical condition, which can lead to heart failure.

3. A hearty laugh is good for the heart. This laugh attack can actually cause the lining of blood vessels to relax, enabling more blood to flow through for at least 45 minutes afterward.

4. A glass of wine can be good for the heart because of the antioxidant properties contained in grapes.

Alcohol can also thin the blood, enabling better flow.

Just be sure to stick to one or two drinks per day.

Overindulgence won’t make the heart healthier.

5. The heart is a fist-sized muscle that can beat an average of 100,000 times every day. In less than a minute, the heart can deliver oxygen-rich blood to every cell in the body.

6. A woman’s heart beats faster than a man’s heart. In some cases doctors are able to predict the gender of a fetus by the baby’s heart rate.

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Amy Ahlin, cardiac echosonographer displays a Zio Patch cardiac monitor, a breakthrough technology used to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias.

New and convenient cardiac monitoring service available at Olympic Medical Center

“

Submitted by Olympic Medical Center Zio Patch is a breakthrough technology designed to improve diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias.

Olympic Medical Center is now offering a heart monitor that is inconspicuous, easy to wear and designed to maximize diagnostic results with the Zio Patch.

The development of the Zio platform is based on enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved in the monitoring process from start to finish. For physicians, the Zio aids in patient diagnosis by combining a simple, sophisticated device with a clear report format.

For clinical staff, it offers a hygienic, new device for each patient, and a knowledgeable, responsive service team providing 24-hour, seven-daysa-week support to help clinical staff members care for patients.

“For patients who need to be monitored for potential arrhythmias, they will find this patient-centric device remarkable,” said Dr. Robert Gipe, rhythm management, Olympic Medical Center.

“It is easy to wear, designed for comfort and produces outstanding results for the patient’s care team to review.”

The Zio Patch is a long-term cardiac

The OMC Foundation played a critical role in bringing the Zio Patch to Olympic Medical Center.

“Through its annual Red, Set, Go! fundraiser in February 2013, the foundation raised funds to start up this new service,” said Dr. Gipe.

“We want to recognize the foundation and the community members who specifically donated to this project for their support of our heart program.”

Olympic Medical Center (Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 2) is a comprehensive, award-winning health care provider for more than rhythm monitor that provides continu70,000 residents of Clallam County. ous monitoring for up to 14 days — OMC provides inpatient services at significantly longer than the time its 80-bed acute-care facility in Port period of a typical Holter monitor.

Angeles, including a level-three trauma By providing a longer time period of designated emergency department, surcontinuous recording, the Zio Patch gical services and labor and delivery. allows for better analysis and improves OMC’s outpatient services include the likelihood of capturing arrhythmias. cardiac, imaging, physical therapy and The Zio Patch is for use on patients rehabilitation, laboratory, sleep mediwho may be asymptomatic or who may cine, surgical services, home health, suffer from symptoms such as palpiphysician clinics and comprehensive tations, dizziness, light-headedness, regional cancer care at locations in Port pre-syncope and syncope, shortness of Angeles and Sequim. breath, anxiety and fatigue.

For more information about cardiolAnother non-clinical benefit of the ogy services at Olympic Medical Center, Zio Patch is that it is 100 percent visit olympicmedical.org or call 360recyclable.

417-7486.

The OMC Foundation played a critical role in bringing the Zio Patch to Olympic Medical Center.

“Through its annual Red, Set, Go! fundraiser in February 2013, the foundation raised funds to start up this new service,” said Dr. Gipe.

“We want to recognize the foundation and the community members who specifically donated to this project for their support of our heart program.”

Dressed in red?

Olympic Medical Center is collecting photos for the dress in red photo book to be posted on its website.

If you would like to have your photo featured, electronic submissions can be emailed to: bbeeman@ olympicmedical.org

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Understanding angina could be the first step to a healthier heart Submitted by Tracy Zaher-Lee, advanced registered nurse practitioner at Olympic Medical Center Physicians Cardiology Clinic Your heart is a muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your body.

Like all muscles, your heart needs its own blood supply to fuel its work.

When your heart works harder, it needs more blood.

Your coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with blood. When your heart works harder, the coronary arteries dilate or open up more to supply more blood.

Angina (an-JIE-nuh or AN-jih-nuh) occurs when the supply of blood flowing through the coronary arteries is not enough to meet the demand of the heart muscle.

Angina is not the problem itself but rather a symptom of the problem. It is discomfort that comes from the heart when it does not get enough blood. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in the chest. It can also occur in the back, shoulders, arm or neck. It may feel like indigestion or unusual shortness of breath.

Angina usually occurs because one or more of the coronary arteries is narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits called atherosclerotic plaque. The plaque deposits are hard on the outside and mushy on the inside.

Plaque makes it difficult for coronary arteries to supply more blood flow in response to increased demand.

This condition is called coronary artery disease and is the most common cause of angina.

There are two types of angina: stable and unstable.

Stable angina is predictable. People with stable angina

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do not typically have chest discomfort at rest.

But when their heart has to work harder, its demand for oxygen goes up.

Exercise, anxiety or arguing over the bills are examples of things that increase the demand of the heart.

In coronary artery disease, the narrowed artery cannot increase supply to meet increased demand and discomfort occurs. At rest, when the demand goes down, the angina goes away.

With stable angina, the discomfort comes and goes in a predictable pattern in association with rest and activity.

Unstable angina is unpredictable and may even occur at rest. It occurs when the hard outside of the atherosclerotic plague ruptures and the soft inside is exposed to elements of the blood.

When this occurs, a clot or blockage can form at the site of the plague rupture. This clot can completely cut off blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack.

Unstable angina is an emergency and requires immediate attention. If the blockage is not removed quickly, the part of the heart that is deprived of blood can die and form a scar.

Scarred muscle does not work well and can weaken the heart’s ability to pump blood.

While not all chest pain is angina, all chest pain should be checked out by a health care professional.

There are effective treatments for coronary artery disease and both stable and unstable angina.

Lifestyle changes, medications, medical procedures and surgery can help reduce and even eliminate angina.

Of course, the best option is to prevent coronary artery disease from developing in the first place by not smoking, eating meals low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and salt, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and exercising on a regular basis.

www.facebook.com/NecessitiesAndTemptations email: nectemp@olypen.com

For tickets to the Red, Set, Go! heart luncheon call 360-417-7144

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What women should know about heart disease

Story by Metro Creative Graphics

Waist circumference is also a tool used to measure how much abdominal fat a person has. n Go to the doctor regularly. A doctor can run certain tests to discover any red flags for potential heart problems. He or she will check blood pressure, cholesterol levels, conduct screenings for diabetes, and discuss family history.

With all of this information, the doctor will be able to make certain

assumptions about heart disease risk and guide you on the path to finding a program that will be effective for you.

Although heart disease is the foremost killer of women in North America, it can largely be prevented and risk factors managed with adequate health care.

Women living with any of the aforementioned risk factors should make an appointment with their doctor to determine the appropriate course of action.

BE GOOD TO YOUR HEART at the Olympic Peninsula YMCA

To celebrate Healthy Heart Month, we invite you to try the Y for free during the month of February. Join by the end of the month, and we’ll waive your join fee, too.

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Once those risk factors are known, it’s up to women to take steps to live a more healthy lifestyle.

Fortunately, there are many ways women can do just that: n Exercise daily. Thirty minutes of exercise per day is recommended. This can improve cardiovascular health by getting the blood moving through the What puts women at risk? body.

Here are a number of factors that can It can also help women lose weight, put a woman at risk for heart disease: decreasing risk for other ailments as a n Hypertension: High blood result. pressure can exert extra stress on blood n Quit smoking. Do not use tobacco vessel walls and make them more likely products. Smoking is one of the biggest to get clogged. risk factors for developing heart n Cholesterol levels: Cholesterol disease. in the blood can build up on the inside Smoking narrows the arteries in of blood vessels and lead to blockages your heart and can also contribute that can cause a number of different to the hardening of arteries, called problems. atherosclerosis. n Smoking: Women who smoke This condition can ultimately lead to have a higher risk of heart attacks than a heart attack. nonsmoking women. Those who smoke Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke and take birth control pills are at an replaces some of the oxygen in the even higher risk. blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. n Obesity: The chance for heart This can raise blood pressure and force disease increases with a woman’s your heart to work harder. weight. Even losing a little weight can n Eat healthy: Eating foods that help diminish the chance. are low in cholesterol and sodium can n Diabetes: High blood sugar can help with heart disease risk. damage the arteries that supply blood to A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, the heart. whole grains, low-fat dairy products, n Family history: A woman with and other sources of whole fiber can blood relatives diagnosed with heart help. disease is at a heightened risk of Consumption of fish, which is high in developing heart disease. omega-3 fatty acids, is also beneficial. n Lack of physical exercise: Daily n Maintain a healthy weight: physical activity can go a long way A doctor or dietitian can help you to help the heart and prevent heart determine a healthy weight for your disease. body type and height.

Most use calculations to determine Preventing heart disease a body mass index, or BMI, which Recognizing the risk factors for heart considers certain factors, including disease is just the beginning when it height and weight, to determine if comes to prevention. you have a proper amount of body fat.

Millions of women throughout the nation live with cardiovascular disease and may not know it. The consequences of being uninformed can be fatal.

According to the National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease, heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women.

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A guide to understanding heart disease Story by Metro Creative Graphics “Heart disease” is a broad term used to describe a number of ailments affecting the heart.

When most people think of heart disease, they typically call to mind heart attacks. However, there are a number of conditions that can affect the heart.

Understanding them is key to preventing further complications down the line.

Here is a listing of common heart conditions, symptoms and treatment: Angina: Chest pain or discomfort that occurs in and around the heart when the muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood.

It can be brought on by stress, exertion, emotion or extreme cold, or be a symptom of a deeper problem

such as clogged arteries.

Stable angina follows a pattern and is generally the most common.

Unstable angina doesn’t follow a pattern.

Variant angina occurs while you’re at rest and is rare.

Angina may be treated with rest and medicine. All heart pain should be checked by a doctor to see if it’s a sign of something deeper.

Aneurysm: An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

Depending on where the aneurysm occurs (brain, aorta or abdomen, for example) there may be no pain or bulging.

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Aneurysms are serious, and if not caught early and treated, can lead to death.

Arteriosclerosis: This is any hardening or loss of elasticity of medium and large arteries, generally as a result of hypertension.

The most common sites for arteriosclerosis are arteries in the brain, kidneys, heart, abdominal aorta or legs.

Symptoms of arteriosclerosis vary according to which arteries are affected.

Risk factors for arteriosclerosis include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, stress and diabetes.

Atherosclerosis: This is a condition when fatty material collects in the arterial walls. It can harden over time, causing calcium deposits and restriction of blood flow.

Avoiding fatty, high cholesterol foods, exercising regularly and getting routine checkups at the doctor’s are all ways to head off atherosclerosis at the pass.

Heart attack: Also known as cardiac arrest, this is the culmination of many heart conditions such as angina, arteriosclerosis, and atherosclerosis.

It occurs when blood and oxygen are unable to reach the heart.

According to the American Heart Association, signs of cardiac arrest can include: 1. Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

2. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

4. Other signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

High cholesterol: High cholesterol can be a factor in a number of heart conditions. Therefore it is desirable to keep cholesterol levels low. Cholesterol is measured as total cholesterol, HDL

(the good cholesterol) and LDL (the bad cholesterol). Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/DL is optimal. Less than 100 mg/DL of LDL and HDL levels of 60 mg/DL or more are desirable.

Hypertension: This is a term used to describe high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is measured in two readings, the systolic pressure, or the pressure created when the heart beats, and the diastolic pressure, or the pressure in the heart when it is at rest.

Blood pressure higher than 120/80 is considered high and should be monitored.

How much water and salt you have in your body; the condition of your kidneys, nervous system or blood vessels; and the levels of different body hormones can all cause hypertension.

A change in diet or medication may be needed to control blood pressure.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): PAD is when insufficient blood flow reaches the arteries that supply the limbs. Pain or immobility may occur due to lack of blood to meet demand.

Generally PAD is a sign that atherosclerosis is taking place and medical intervention should be taken.

Stroke: This is an interruption of blood supply to any part of the brain.

It can come on suddenly or display symptoms over time.

Changes in alertness, sleepiness, trouble speaking, loss of coordination, trouble moving limbs and many other symptoms can be indicative of stroke.

A stroke may be mild and cause temporary conditions. A massive stroke may lead to paralysis, brain damage or even coma.

A stroke is a medical emergency.

It is important to get the person to the emergency room immediately to determine if the stroke is due to bleeding or a blood clot so appropriate treatment can be started within 3 hours of when the stroke began.

Clot busters may be given if it is a clotting condition.

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Heart conditions can be ‘silent’

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Story by Metro Creative Graphics

The image many people get when they think of heart conditions is a grown man clutching his chest. But not all heart conditions are as obvious or pronounced as a heart attack.

Ischemia is a term used to describe the restriction of oxygen-rich blood to an area of the body.

Cardiac ischemia occurs when the blood cannot reach the heart.

Generally cardiac ischemia causes pain in the chest, this is known as angina. However, in some cases there is no warning chest pain and the condition is called silent ischemia.

What is silent ischemia?

attack are at higher risk for silent ischemia than others. But there are many other risk factors including: diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, smoking, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse.

If ischemia lasts too long or is especially severe, it may cause a heart attack. It can also affect the natural rhythm of the heart and its pumping ability, which can cause fainting, and even sudden cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of silent ischemia

Silent ischemia has no symptoms.

Silent ischemia affects roughly 3 to 4 million However, if a person has had previous episodes of chest pain, there’s a Americans every year. likelihood that he or she could also be Individuals who have had a previous heart experiencing silent ischemia and not know it.

Doctors may use a stress test to determine silent ischemia.

A special monitor called a Holter monitor will record the heart rate and rhythm over the course of a day and determine if ischemia occurred. In addition to the Holter monitor, the Zio

Patch is a breakthrough technology designed to improve diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias. Unlike the Holter monitor, the Zio Patch provides continuous monitoring for up to 14 days.

Treatment options The main ways to treat silent ischemia is to reduce certain behaviors that increase risk.

For those diagnosed with silent ischemia, there are some treatment options available. Most involve improving blood flow to the heart, which often requires prescription medications.

Oxygen may be given to increase the oxygen content of the blood that is reaching the heart.

Other people may take medicines that relax blood vessels, enabling more blood to flow.

In most cases this is all that is needed to fix the situation. For those not responding to treatment, they may need a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), such as balloon angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery or a

FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC Pictured from left: Dr. Kara Urnes, Tatiana Slatin, M.A., Dawn Pendergast, R.N., Tracy ZaherLee, A.R.N.P., Marci Ensor, M.O.A.

Quick tips from the Olympic Medical Physicians cardiology clinic team Make a date with your heart! February is American Heart Month, and Valentine’s Day is a great time to start taking steps to be heart-healthy.

Same Day Appointments Available Monday-Saturday

Call and schedule a preventative visit today

808 N. 5th Avenue, Sequim • Olympic Medical Center Campus Phone: 360-683-5900 • Hours: 8-5 Mon. - Sat.

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Here are some quick steps to get you started on the right path:  Prevent and control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.  Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.  Limit alcohol use.  Maintain a healthy weight.  Be active.  Eat healthy!

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FEBRUARY 2014

AMERICAN HEART MONTH

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS AND SEQUIM GAZETTE

We take your health to heart.

For a free online test to determine your risk of heart disease, visit OlympicMedical.org/HeartAware.

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