Heal Your Heart One Beat at a Time

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year — that’s one in every four deaths. Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free lecture on heart disease that will educate area residents on what makes them at risk and what new treatments are available if they find themselves with the illness.

[ A Sponsored Feature by Silver Cross Hospital ]

Dr. Joseph Stella, cardiologist, will present a free program on heart disease on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. He will discuss current and future new treatment options for heart disease. Register to attend the ABCs of Preventing Heart Disease at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

What is Heart Disease?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack. Other kinds of heart disease may involve the valves in the heart, or the heart may not pump well and cause heart failure. Heart disease occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries. When this happens, your arteries can narrow over time, reducing blood flow to the heart. Although, some people are born with heart disease.

Smoking, not getting enough exercise and eating an unhealthy diet, all increase your risk for having heart disease. In addition, having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes can increase your risk for heart disease.

Symptoms to Remember

The symptoms vary depending on the type of heart disease. For many people, chest discomfort or a heart attack is the first sign of the disease. Someone having a heart attack may experience many symptoms, including: chest pain that doesn’t go away after a few minutes; pain in the jaw, neck, arm, shoulder or back; weakness; light-headedness; nausea; a cold sweat, or shortness of breath.

If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately.

About Joseph Stella

Joseph Stella, D.O., board certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, attended medical school at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, a cardiovascular disease fellowship at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, and an interventional cardiology fellowship at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. His office is located with Heart Care Centers of Illinois at 10260 W. 191st Street, Suite 102, Mokena. To schedule an appointment, call 708-478-4224.