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Preventing Heart Attacks by Understanding Cardiovascular Risks

Do you know that heart attacks have "beginnings" that can occur days or weeks before an actual attack? It is important to recognize these beginnings, with the help of an EHAC doctor, to help prevent the actual attack and its potential health consequences. People often mistake the early warning signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, for heartburn or pulled a muscle. The unfortunate outcome is that many people wait too long before getting help.

At The Hospitals of Providence, we have an EHAC program delivered by a team of cardiologists, nurses and staff who are dedicated to helping men and women recognize the early warning signs of a heart attack. We provide care and treatment options for these signs and help prevent the emergency from happening.

What Is a Heart Attack?

Each year, approximately 1.2 million Americans suffer a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. It is a medical emergency that occurs when a part of the heart muscle does not get enough blood. This usually happens when fatty deposits build up over time and form plaque in the heart's arteries, blocking the blood flow. The blockage also limits the oxygen and nutrients that go to your heart.

Heart attacks are sometimes thought to be a man’s problem. But the truth is, more women in the United States die of heart disease each year than men. In general, over 80,000 people die every year from a heart attack and on average, 50% of these patients displayed, but ignored, the warning signs.

What Are the Early Signs of a Heart Attack?

There are heart attack symptoms in women that are different from heart attack symptoms in men. But the common signs and symptoms they usually share are as follows:

  • Chest pain or discomfort: The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or it may go away and come back. The discomfort may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain at the center of the chest.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: This may include pain or discomfort in the back, jaw, stomach or in one or both arms.
  • Shortness of breath: This may occur with, before or without chest pain or discomfort.
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Nausea or light-headedness

Meanwhile, heart attack symptoms in women sometimes go unnoticed. These include the following:

  • Back pain
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in the center of the chest, spreading to the neck, shoulder or jaw
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Unusual shortness of breath
  • Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort
  • Vomiting

If you experience these early warning signs of a heart attack, please do not delay care. Schedule an appointment with your cardiologist at The Hospitals of Providence as soon as possible. Treatments are usually most effective when they occur in the early stages of chest pain, so early treatment is key. In case of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 and seek medical care immediately.

What Are the Risk Factors of a Heart Attack?

Some of the things or conditions that may increase your risk for myocardial infarction may include the following:

  • Diabetes
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Family history of heart disease
  • High blood cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity and being overweight
  • Old age
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Too much stress
  • Unhealthy diet

How to Prevent a Heart Attack

Aside from working closely with your EHAC doctor and watching out for early warning signs of a heart attack, making some lifestyle changes can also help prevent a heart attack from happening. These lifestyle changes may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Being physically active
  • Eating and drinking healthy
  • Limiting alcohol intake or not drinking at all
  • Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
  • Lowering high blood pressure (if necessary)
  • Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing and managing stress
  • Treating or managing conditions that can be a risk factors of heart attack such as diabetes

Why Choose The Hospitals of Providence for Your Early Heart Attack Care?

The Hospitals of Providence has EHAC teams who genuinely care about you and your loved ones. Our hospitals are located across El Paso to provide accessible care to the communities in this city and nearby areas. At the same time, we have received multiple recognitions for the compassionate care and patient-centered cardiovascular services we offer.

Some of the accreditations and recognitions we received in recent years are as follows:

For Sierra Campus

  • Chest Pain Reaccreditation by the Society of Cardiovascular Care
  • ACC HeartCARE Center Designation by the American College of Cardiology
  • Grade A rating for patient safety in the Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2019 Safety Score

Take the EHAC Oath with us.

We encourage you to start taking care of your heart health today. We can kick this commitment off by taking the EHAC oath together.

“I understand that heart attacks have beginnings and on occasion, signs of an impending heart attack may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, shoulder and/or arm pain and weakness. These may occur hours or weeks before the actual heart attack. I solemnly swear that if happens to me or anyone I know I will call 9-1-1 or activate Emergency Medical Services.”

Visit Deputy Heart Attack website for more information about heart disease and prevention or click here to download an educational brochure.

Find a Cardiologist

Recognize early warning signs of a heart attack and get the care you need as early as possible with the help of a cardiologist in El Paso. Call 866-934-3627 to schedule an appointment or to request an EHAC doctor referral.

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More Information

Protecting Families from Heart Disease - What Causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for one in every three deaths. Understanding how we can prevent cardiovascular diseases is essential, especially for our families and loved ones.

Heart disease refers to various conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart failure and arrhythmias. The two most common forms are coronary artery disease and stroke, which are responsible for most of the heart disease-related deaths.

Several risk factors contribute to the development of heart disease, including genetic factors and lifestyle choices. Some of the primary factors that increase the risk of heart disease are:

  • Age – As people age, their risk of developing heart disease increases, particularly for men over 45 and women over 55.
  • High blood pressure – Untreated or poorly managed high blood pressure can damage the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • High cholesterol – Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, can lead to the formation of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
  • Smoking – Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease, as it damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure and reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart.
  • Obesity – Excess weight puts added stress on the heart, raises blood pressure and increases the risk of developing diabetes, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.
  • Diabetes – People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, as high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.
  • Physical inactivity – A sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.
  • Unhealthy diet – Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium can contribute to the development of heart problems.

In order to minimize the risk of cardiovascular complications, it is recommended to actively follow several lifestyle changes:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for good heart health. Aim to consume a well-balanced diet that's low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and salt. Make sure to eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
  • Regular exercise is also crucial. Try to get some aerobic exercise each week and include strength-training exercises on a couple of days.
  • Smoking is a big no-no for heart health. If you're a smoker, it's time to quit, and if you haven't started, don't. Also, try to stay away from secondhand smoke as much as possible.
  • Keep your alcohol consumption in check. While moderate alcohol intake has been linked to lower heart disease risk, drinking too much can cause other health issues. Stick to one drink a day for women and two for men.
  • It's vital to manage stress effectively, as ongoing stress can lead to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Find healthy ways to cope, such as working out, meditating or talking to a mental health professional.
  • Make sure to schedule regular checkups with your doctor to keep tabs on your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Catching and managing these risk factors early can greatly reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
  • If you have chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, collaborate with your healthcare provider to manage them properly.
  • Lastly, knowing your family's heart disease history can help you and your doctor identify potential risk factors and take the necessary steps to prevent heart issues.

It is never too late to make positive lifestyle changes to improve your heart health. By understanding the causes of heart disease and taking proactive steps to minimize risk factors, we can protect our families and ourselves from cardiovascular complications. A heart-healthy lifestyle and proper management of chronic conditions are crucial components of prevention. With knowledge and support from healthcare providers, we can significantly reduce the prevalence of heart disease and help ensure the well-being of our families.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control
Medline Plus
American Heart Association

Cardiovascular Services