By Dr. Mindy Gentry
MCGHealth Cardiovascular Center 

For year’s heart disease was considered a man’s problem, and unfortunately as Mary Jo Luta discovered, that belief still lingers among some physicians.

When Luta began having chest pain, the Martinez resident and painter visited three physicians, but none suspected heart trouble. The first, her family physician, prescribed antibiotics; the second prescribed an antidepressant; and the third suggested her symptoms were not real. By then the pain had spread from her chest to her shoulder and lower jaw - real danger signs for women.

After being misdiagnosed by three doctors and suffering from pain for 10 months, Luta came to the MCGHealth Cardiovascular Center, the only heart program in the area designed specifically for women. The center provides comprehensive patient care, screening for coronary artery disease and consultations to help women identify and manage risk factors.

At the center, Luta had a stress test, and to her surprise, was admitted for emergency triple bypass surgery. Fortunately, she has been well since.

Heart attacks may occur suddenly, but they are generally the result of years of unhealthy living that eventually stops the flow of blood to the heart. Of course there are some risk factors that cannot be controlled, including family history, age and gender. But for the ones that can be controlled, listen to your heart, and take these steps to keep it healthy.

1. Stop smoking. Avoid secondhand smoke, which is harmful.

2. Have a lipid profile at age 20 and at least every five years thereafter. A fasting lipoprotein (lipid) profile is used to determine your total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglyceride numbers.  High cholesterol is a major risk for heart disease. Knowing your numbers will tell you where you stand and what actions you should take.

3. Know and control your blood pressure. Have it checked at least every two years.

4. Exercise regularly. The American Heart Association recommends adults ages 18 to 65 get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week.

5. Maintain a healthy weight and watch your waistline. Waist measurements of more than 40 inches in women can be early indicators of diabetes or heart disease.

6. Eat a healthy diet. Limit saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day and two or more servings of baked or broiled fish a week. (Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the heart.)

7. Limit alcohol intake. Women should have no more than one alcoholic beverage a day.

8. Re-think your workaholic habits and minimize stress.
 
If your physician prescribes medication to control your blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides or blood sugar levels, do not stop taking it without his or her permission. This is a common and serious mistake.

Most of these strategies for preventing a heart attack will reduce more than one risk factor. For example, if you eat a nutritious diet, you will reduce your risks for obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Don’t wait for motivation to strike. Start listening to your heart and make lifestyle changes now for a healthy tomorrow.

MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilities and services throughout the state.  For more information, please visit mcghealth.org.