InTouch with Southern Kentucky February 2020 | Page 29

“On average, we have two to three
heart attack victims each day that
come to the hospital,” Hayes says.
“That includes those having both
(minor) or (critical) heart attacks.”
With heart disease so prevalent
in Lake Cumberland, she relates it
is important to recognize typical
symptoms of a heart attack. It could
save your life or someone else.
Identifiable signs include chest
pressure, pain traveling down one
or both arms, back and jaw pain,
shortness of breath, anxiety, nau-
sea, and severe fatigue. If you expe-
rience these conditions (or witness
someone who is), call 911.
“Once EMS gets to you, they can
start life-saving treatment and initi-
ating care.,” Hayes says. “They will
also inform us you are coming.”
“If you are driving someone you
think is having a heart attack to the
ER, you should call ahead and alert
them,” she continues. “We will acti-
vate our cardiac and Cath lab team,
and we will be waiting for you.”
Hayes explains further there are
F ebruary 2020
certain risk factors for heart disease
we cannot change like increasing
age and family medical history.
However, there are threats leading
to heart disease we can control.
Having diabetes, high cholesterol,
a lack of physical activity, or being
overweight, does put you at risk
for heart disease. That is why it is
important to monitor and manage
any of these conditions if you have
them.
“Get an annual exam and cardiac
screening with your physician,”
Hayes says. “This is one of the most
important preventive steps to see
where you are at with your heart.”
She also expresses there are pre-
ventive measures we can take in our
daily habits and lives. These may
include stop smoking, drinking alco-
hol in moderation, eating healthier,
and exercising more.
“We advise patients to begin mak-
ing changes in their diet,” she says.
“You can start by decreasing salt,
eating more fruits and vegetables,
and decreasing your fried foods and
starch intake.”
Additionally, we can include more
physical activity in our daily rou-
tines. Hayes relates a sedentary life-
style increases your risk of earlier
death from heart disease.
The American Heart Association
recommends you walk at least 30
minutes per day for five days during
the week. They also suggest walking
at least 10,000 steps each day for a
healthy heart.
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