Dr. Sushan Yang | Special to The Register-Guard
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Many patients who have experienced a cardiac event wonder how it will affect their future.
“Will this shave years off my life?”
“Will I ever be able to return to the activities I used to enjoy?”
Patients are often surprised to discover that with medication and other changes, they really can return to a satisfying lifestyle.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death of men and women in the United States, accounting for more than 869,000 deaths a year. But it’s reassuring and hopeful to know that 80% of heart attacks or other cardiovascular events are preventable through lifestyle changes.
Keep on moving
As a cardiologist, I always advise my patients to stay active in any capacity they can.
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. But even small daily changes — frequently getting up and walking across the room instead of being sedentary, or standing instead of sitting — can make a difference.
Try a Mediterranean diet
With so many popular diets at our disposal, it can be confusing to choose the “best” regimen. I always recommend the Mediterranean diet, which has been scientifically shown to improve cardiovascular health.
Fill most of your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, and add whole grains and legumes. Use olive oil and limit dairy and fat. Choose lean cuts of meat. Recipes and other resources for a heart-healthy diet are available from the American Heart Association at heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating and PeaceHealth’s Healthy You blog at peacehealth.org/healthy-you.
I also advise patients to limit sodium intake. Sodium contributes to high blood pressure and fluid retention. When reducing sodium, look beyond your salt shaker. Prepared meals, processed foods, frozen meals, canned foods and snacks contain large amounts of hidden sodium. Cheese and deli meats are also big sodium offenders. You’d be surprised by how much salt is in a simple sandwich!
Stock up on fresh produce
It can be challenging for some patients to access affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.
To help improve access, PeaceHealth collaborates with numerous community organizations. PeaceHealth partners with FOOD for Lane County on the Produce Plus program, which provides free fresh produce and grain products for patients at select PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics in Eugene. PeaceHealth also provides financial support to FOOD for Lane County to transport food from its Eugene warehouse to more than 30 local food banks throughout Lane County, enabling rural and remote food banks to stock more fresh produce. Partnerships with Centro Latino Americano, Huerto de la Familia, South Lane School District and the La Plaza program provide support for community vegetable gardens. Florence Farmers Market and the PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Group operate the Veggie Rx Program, allowing participating health care providers to prescribe produce and supply vouchers redeemable at the Florence Farmers Market.
Differences among men and women
Cardiovascular disease may present differently in men and women, and it’s important to be aware of these differences.
Men typically have “classic” symptoms when they develop a heart attack: crushing chest pain radiating to their jaw or arm, shortness of breath, heavy sweating, nausea and vomiting.
Women’s symptoms may be more subtle. The chest pain may not be very prominent, and it’s not always accompanied by shortness of breath or heavy sweating. It may feel like indigestion or anxiety. As a result, women are frequently misdiagnosed, which can delay life-saving treatment.
It is also important to keep track of your symptoms and pay close attention to any changes. For example, if you notice your chest pain has become more frequent, more severe or is brought on by less activity, it is important to notify your doctor.
I’d like to add a final reminder not to delay care. Yes, health care systems have been challenged caring for the surge of patients with COVID-19, but our cardiac teams at PeaceHealth and in our community are taking proper precautions and have continued to see and treat patients throughout this pandemic. Prevention is as important as ever in maintaining a healthy heart.
Dr. Sushan Yang is a cardiologist with the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. For more ways to stay your healthiest: peacehealth.org/healthy-you.