Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Summer 2020

Summer 2020 7 CHECK IN COMPLETE CARDIAC REHAB 3 Learn heart attack warning signs—again You may not have the same symptoms with a repeat heart attack. That’s why it’s so important to review all the possible symptoms again—getting help quickly could save your life. Call 911 if you have: Chest pain or discomfort. This may last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back. It’s the most com- mon symptom in both men and women. Upper body discomfort. You may feel it in one or both arms or your back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath—with or without chest discomfort. You may also break out into a cold sweat, vomit, feel unusually tired (some- times for days ahead of time), or be nauseated or light-headed. If you’re a woman, you are somewhat more likely than a man to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute See your doctor for all recommended follow-up appointments to be sure your recovery is progressing well and your heart is healing as it should. Heart attack How to avoid a repeat event You’ve survived a heart attack. So what’s your next step toward making a full recovery? • Doing all that you can to prevent a second attack. • While most people live full, active lives after a heart attack, once you’ve had one, your chances of having another one go up. In fact, about 20% of people 45 and older have a repeat heart attack within five years after their first. • But these five steps can help you beat those odds and pro- tect your heart. This medically supervised program includes exer- cise training to strengthen your heart, plus coun- seling to help you adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle and to ease the stress of living with heart disease. If your doctor hasn’t already recommended rehab to you, ask to be referred to a program. THINK BIG PICTURE 2 MIND YOUR HEART MEDICINE Take it precisely as prescribed. Otherwise, it may not work. If you take several drugs, it can be easy to forget a dose—and every one counts. Try a pill organizer, or create a medicine calendar and note every time you take a dose. See your doctor for all recommended follow- up appointments to be sure your recovery is progressing well and your heart is healing as it should. Survivors who skip follow-up visits face a high risk of a hospital readmission. 5 Work with your doctor to control other condi- tions that make a heart attack more likely, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabe- tes. Your heart will thank you. Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute MAKE HEART-HEALTHY CHANGES 4 Even when you take heart medicine as directed, healthy habits are still a must. Stick to a heart- smart diet, be physically active on a regular basis and do your best to get to—or stay at—a healthy weight. If you’re a smoker, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking hurts your heart as well as your lungs. 1 Heart health