Potomac Community Village Members and Friends Learned About Heart Health at Recent Meeting

What should we watch out for to prevent heart disease?

Said cardiologist Allen Nimetz to those gathered at the Feb. 15 Potomac Community Village (PCV) meeting: family history, diabetes, obesity, inactivity, diet, and gender, with men more likely to have heart attacks until women catch up once they reach age 55.

His advice:

• Anyone who smokes should stop.
• Anyone who is not exercising for 30 minutes a day, or at least three times a week, should start.
• And anyone who is not eating a healthy diet, such the Mediterranean diet, should change their current diet.

If you think you might be having a heart attack – symptoms include pressure, tightness, discomfort, sweating, pain in jaw – call 911 and don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away. Take an aspirin while you wait for the ambulance to arrive, and NEVER try to drive yourself.

If it is a heart attack, the first 90 minutes are golden. Once you’re at the hospital the physicians there will evaluate you using an angiogram to see if there’s a blood clot that needs immediate treatment. If so, a balloon will be used to open the blood vessel and a stent will be inserted.

Only 48 people came to Suburban Hospital last year with a heart attack, said Dr. Nimetz, noting that people in this area tend to take care of themselves.

In answer to the question “how do you choose a cardiologist,” Dr. Nimetz replied, “Doctors have different personalities. What are you buying? Where was the training? As for a “Meet & Greet,” if you have to wait three months for an appointment, you don’t need a cardiologist.”

Regarding taking baby aspirin regularly, even for those who have not had a heart attack, Dr. Nimetz noted that there is current data suggesting that it’s not needed, but he said, “I take it.” Aspirin should certainly be taken daily to try to avoid a second heart attack.

What about eating eggs? The risk factor is fats, not eggs, he said.

PCV’s next events, to which everyone is invited are:

• Coffee Klatch on Thursday, March 12, 10 - 11:30 a.m. at Tally Ho, 9923 Falls Road, in Potomac Village, near the Potomac Library. Come on in, and look for the Potomac Community Village sign and a lot of friendly faces. All are welcome to come and to bring a friend or two. Reservations not needed. Free coffee courtesy of PCV.
• Monthly meeting, on Thursday, March 19, 7:15 p.m. The topic is “Are You Prepared? Tips on what to do in case of fire or medical emergency,” with Jim Resnick, Program Manager, Senior Outreach and Education, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service. The meeting is at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1513 Dunster Road, just off Falls Road, Potomac. All are welcome and admission is free.

Potomac Community Village is a nonprofit volunteer group that enables people who live in the 20854 zip code to stay in their own homes as they age and to remain vibrant members of our community. Our Village, PCV, is part of a nationwide movement of more than 400 Villages with this mission. We provide social, educational, and wellness programs, as well as a variety of services to our members enabling them to be safe, to live independently in their homes, and to be connected to their community. To learn more, lease see PotomacCommunityVillage.org, and our Facebook page, or contact us at 240-221-1370 or info@PotomacCommuniytVillage.org.