This winter has been a busy one for Loyola’s Immediate Care Centers. In one month our Burr Ridge and River Forest offices saw over 1,500 patients and our Homer Glen office saw nearly 1,000 patients.
One common complaint we’ve seen in the clinics is chest pain. There are many causes of chest pain, but the heart is most often the first concern. In fact, if you enter “chest pain” on Google’s search engine, the top results will include heart attack, heart disease and angina which are all heart-related conditions.
Statistics show that there is an increased incidence of heart disease complications over the winter months. So, with February being National Heart Disease Awareness Month, it’s a great time to review signs and symptoms of heart disease and how to keep our hearts healthy.
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When do you know your chest pain could be related to your heart and not just a “pulled muscle” or heartburn/indigestion? The first helpful hint is to know your risks of heart disease. These risks include:
- Prior history of heart disease such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Tobacco use
- Older age
- Family history of early heart disease
The nature of chest pain also is important in differentiating between heart-related chest pain and non-heart related chest pain. Some more serious symptoms include:
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- Chest pain that is severe and/or lasts more than a few minutes
- Chest pain that is described as a pressure, squeezing, tightness or heaviness
- Pain that radiates to the shoulders/neck/jaw/arm
- Pain worse with exertion
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion
- Sweating
- Palpitations
- Nausea/vomiting
If you suspect you might be having heart-related chest pain, it is important to be evaluated in an emergency department immediately. Medical evaluation of chest pain typically includes an electrocardiogram, x-rays and labs to better evaluate your complaint. By calling 911, you ensure quick hospital transport and prompt emergency medical care should you develop complications of your chest pain. Not seeking timely care can result in permanent damage to the heart in some cases.
While heart disease complications can be very scary, it’s great to know that they are also preventable. A few tips to keep your heart healthy and lower your risks of heart disease include:
- Following a heart healthy diet: high fiber, omega-3 rich fats, low salt, low trans fats and low cholesterol foods
- Regular aerobic exercise: have a goal of 30-60min/day for 5-7 days/week
- Avoid tobacco and heavy alcohol use
- Schedule a routine physical exam and labs with your doctor
- If you already have heart disease, maintain control of your condition with the tips above and adhere to your medication regimen
