Feature
July
28
Keeping Rhythm
by Terry Trahan, Jr.
The human heart beats continuously, never stopping to rest and catch its breath. It is one of the body’s essential organs that requires regular attention, but tends to get neglected.
One in 4 people, or approximately 71 million, in the U.S. is affected by some form of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease has consistently been cited as the leading cause of death in the country, with 1 out of every 2.7 deaths resulting from some form of the condition.
And the Southern lifestyle doesn’t help. Louisiana is among the top states that claim heart disease as the No. 1 health concern for its residents.
“The first symptom they have is when they die,” says Dr. Jody Stagg, a cardiologist at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, about heart patients who never receive that crucial warning sign. “They’re doing fine one day, and the next they’re in the funeral home. That’s why cardiac screenings are so important, especially in south Louisiana.”
Typically, doctors suggest that men in their mid-40s and women in their mid-50s begin scheduling annual cardiovascular checkups to monitor any trace of heart disease in their cardiovascular systems.
Early detection continues to be a patient’s strongest ally in the fight against heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions, but statistics show much of the population is oblivious to what’s going on around their hearts.
In a 2010 report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, researchers learned that only 12 percent of adults age 18 and over had ever been told by a doctor they had heart disease. This means if 1 in 4 people is affected by heart disease in the U.S., then 13 percent of the population may be ticking time bombs, capable of being triggered by a blood clot or severely restricted circulation.
While medical emergencies like heart attacks and strokes once proved difficult to treat, research and advancements in cardiovascular medicine have increased the patients’ chances of survival if the disease is detected early.
“We didn’t have a good treatment for those with heart attacks,” Dr. Stagg says about the cardiovascular field in the late 1970s. “Now, in the cath lab, we can put three stents in; before, we’d have to open the chest for bypass.”
But even with the advancements, heart disease remains a silent killer.
“Just because you feel good, it doesn’t mean you’re always OK,” Dr. Stagg says.
While a person can’t control genetics, which do play a significant role in a person’s risk of developing heart disease, lifestyle choices can influence the severity and type of disease as well.
At the top of Dr. Stagg’s list are moderation in diet, quitting smoking and exercise and weight control.
South Louisiana has a reputation for food, and it’s a pretty good one—so does maintaining a healthy heart always mean choosing the grilled chicken breast over the fried shrimp po’boy and onion rings?
Not necessarily.
“Seafood is not bad for you,” Dr. Stagg says. “Like most animals, it has cholesterol. If prepared correctly, then it can be very good for you. The message is moderation. The problem is we don’t moderate. You can’t do it every single day.”
And then there’s the No. 1 nemesis that just won’t back down—nicotine.
“It’s the single worst habit you can have,” Dr. Stagg says about smoking. “I spend every day talking to people about the risks associated with smoking.”
When it comes to exercise, Dr. Stagg suggests a brisk walk for 20-30 minutes at least five days per week. Other popular cardiovascular activities, like bicycling and swimming, give the heart a proper workout as well.
Building endurance, Dr. Stagg says, leads to a long-term, successful exercise plan. Whether walking or swimming, start at a comfortable pace and work toward incorporating more strenuous exercises over time.
Even with a proper diet, a lifestyle free of smoking and an exercise plan, Dr. Stagg stresses the need to be educated on the numbers that point toward heart health. After age 18, everyone should begin to monitor personal vitals like blood pressure and cholesterol to ensure that every beat is a strong one.
So what should the numbers look like?
0 Tobacco products used
5 Servings of fruit and vegetables each day
25 Less than 25 kg/m2 body mass index
30 Minutes of exercise 5 days per week
36 Less than 36 inches waist circumference for men (less than 32 for women)
50 mg/dL or higher HDL (good) cholesterol for women
Less than 100 mg/dL fasting glucose
Less than 120/80 mm Hg blood pressure
Less than 130 mg/dL LDL (bad) cholesterol for people with intermediate risk of heart disease
Less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day
Cardiologists share their message about the significance of heart health daily. If each person follows their prescription for a healthier heart, the doctors may be able to spend less time in the operating room and more time educating the public on these numbers that could save their lives.
