HEALTHY HEART NEWS Volume 25 | September 2022
Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services /Neel Khanna, Medical Director of MSLC Cardiovascular Institute
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall’s Cardiovascular Institute is committed to you and our community. We pride ourselves on being an engaged partner with the many constituencies that we serve. As part of our commitment to meeting your heart health needs, we have developed this quarterly newsletter filled with information that can improve the quality of, and in some cases, help save your life. If there are topics that you would like to see covered in future editions, please e-mail Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services, Cardiac Cath and Interventional Radiology at bkeefer@montefioreslc.org.
4 CRUCIAL FACTS ABOUT HEART DISEASE 1.
Heart Disease costs all of us – Each year, the United States spends approximately $200 billion dollars in health care services, medications, and lost productivity to heart disease.
2.
There are 3 common risk factors – Smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are the key risk factors for heart disease. Half of all Americans suffer from at least one of these.
3.
Sodium intake is putting children at risk – Approximately 10 percent of children in the USA have high blood pressure due to the consumption of too much sodium.
4.
Early Warning signs are crucial – Approximately 47 percent of cardiac related deaths take place outside of a hospital – meaning that people do not take early warning signs seriously.
KNOW THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK AND STROKE SEPTEMBER 29 - WORLD HEART DAY Every September 29th we celebrate World Heart Day. This day is an opportunity for all to consider how best to care for our hearts. Cardiovascular disease affects over 17 million people each year. World Heart Day is part of a campaign to spread awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention. This day would be a perfect time to review the risk factors of heart disease and to think about how you can improve the health and well being of your heart. It would be a great day to quit smoking, start exercising and begin eating healthy, along with scheduling an appointment with your doctor. The World Heart Federation along with the American Heart Association has found that heart disease and strokes are the world’s leading causes of death. Overeating, lack of exercise, unhealthy diets, and high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels are all factors which can lead to heart disease and threaten lives. World Heart Day is designated to deliver the message that heart disease can be prevented.
HISTORY OF WORLD HEART DAY World Heart Day is celebrated every year. It was created by the World Heart Federation. The first World Heart Day took place back in 2000. The aim of the day was made to improve health globally by encouraging people to make lifestyle changes and promoting education internationally about ways to be good to your heart. This lesson is becoming increasingly relevant as reports of obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity in children and young people become more and more common. Events take place on this day to promote healthy hearts. Organizations coordinate walks and runs, health checks and public talks, which are a few of the interesting and informative events which mark the day. So, on World Heart Day, get involved, eat your fruit and vegetables and exercise. Both you and your heart will feel the benefits!
Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms – Feelings of chest pressure, tightness, or pain, which is often accompanied by a squeezing or aching sensation in the chest or arms that may spread to the neck, jaw or back, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain and sweating. Stroke Signs and Symptoms – Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking, slurring of words or difficulty understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination. CALL 911 and get help immediately if you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms. Getting help quickly is the most important thing you can do! Quick time to care can save the heart muscle and brain! One out of every four patients have a high risk of having another attack, making heart attacks and strokes common problems. However, up to 80% of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with medications and healthy lifestyle changes. Therefore, it is vital to consult your doctor and build a hearth healthy plan that involves a balanced diet, physical exercise, weight maintenance, and the use of medication. Do this during the month of September to take care of your heart and to celebrate World Heart Day!
WANT TO HEAR MORE?
Listen to MSLC’s Doc Talk podcast at bit.ly/mslcdoctalk
montefiore St. st. Lukes luke’s Cornwall cornwall Cardiovascular 561-4400 | www.montefioreslc.org www.montefioreslc.org Montefiore Cardiovascular Institute Institute | (845) 561-4400