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heart attack risk factors

This Thanksgiving, Talk About Family Health History

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Family history is a key factor in determining whether an individual is at high risk of developing heart disease. However, talking to your family members about their health history can be tough. That’s why, in 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General launched a campaign encouraging Americans to talk about their family health histories on Thanksgiving.

Despite this officially-sanctioned campaign, many people find it difficult to discuss health history with parents and other relatives. This is sensitive, personal information, after all, and it doesn’t always make for the most pleasant dinner conversation. But the benefits can be significant. So we’re offering a few tips on how to make these tough talks a little easier.

photo credit: @cottonbro accessed 11/20/19 via CC0

Don’t Spring It

Let family members know that you’d like to discuss health history at least a few days before the holiday. That will prevent people from feeling caught off guard.

Break the Ice

You may have to be the first to share in order to make others feel comfortable. Or begin by asking specific questions, not just about certain diseases, but also about timelines, complications and side effects.

Ask Everyone

Don’t just question older family members or those in poorer health. Ask all relatives to share as they feel comfortable. Also, try to gather information about deceased relatives, if it is available.

Take and Share Notes

Record any relevant information, then share with other family members, including those who are not present. You could copy and mail hard copies, or share securely online. These documents will be helpful as family members visit the doctor throughout their lives.

However you choose to discuss family health history, the most important thing is that you start the conversation. If everyone remains open and willing, it could be a positive discussion that ultimately brings your family closer together – and helps keep you all healthy for many Thanksgivings to come.

Register For a CPR Class Today

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PAL, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

HeartCert offers a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Emergency Medical Responder – First Responder (EMR). Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Study Links Dental Hygiene to Heart Health

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Although heart disease is often a product of genetics, there are many easy lifestyle changes that we should all make to improve our heart health. A new study has uncovered a largely unknown tactic to lower your heart disease risk: improve your dental hygiene.

dental

In the study, researchers analyzed the health data of nearly 250,000 healthy Korean adults, using information from a national health registry. At the start of the data collection, all participants underwent a screening of their oral health. None had any known heart disease.

Researchers looked at how many times per day the participants brushed their teeth, and how often they visited the dentist. Then, those findings were compared against the reported incidents of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death by heart-related causes.

The study found that brushing teeth one extra time each day lowered the risk of heart disease by 9 percent. In addition, going to the dentist at least once per year lowered the risk by 14 percent, compared to participants who never went to the dentist.

How Does Dental Health Affect the Heart?

It’s clear that there is a link between good dental care and heart health. However, researchers aren’t exactly sure why that link exists. One common theory is that poor oral health causes inflammation in the mouth. This could, in turn, lead to inflammation in the arteries. It may also be reversed – that inflammation caused by heart disease could contribute to oral health issues.

Whatever the reason for the connection between oral hygiene and heart health, it’s clear that brushing teeth every day and seeing the dentist regularly is an important step in caring for your heart.

Register For a CPR Class Today

 

Help protect the hearts of your loved ones by making dental hygiene a priority in your home – and by becoming certified in CPR. Register for a course at one of HeartCert CPR’s convenient locations in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule! We offer a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Emergency Medical Responder – First Responder (EMR).

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Heart Attack Symptoms Differ in Women and Men

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When heart attacks are portrayed on TV or in movies, they almost always happen the same way. Someone (usually a man) stops moving and talking, and his eyes go wide. He clutches his chest, gasps that his left arm is numb, then falls to the ground. It’s a dramatic scene, but it’s not really how heart attacks happen in the real world. In fact, heart attack symptoms can be much more varied. Moreover, men and women often experience significantly different symptoms.

women

In order to be aware and understand whether you may be having a heart attack, it’s first important to know the possible symptoms. We’ll go over how those symptoms differ in men and women, as detailed by WomenHeart.

What is a Heart Attack?

Heart attacks occur when a main artery becomes either partially or completely blocked, cutting off blood flow to the heart. This can happen for a variety of reasons.

What are the Symptoms in Women?

For women, heart attacks are more commonly caused by plague erosion. This occurs when smaller pieces of plaque break off and partially block arteries. Because this is a more subtle stop of blood flow, symptoms aren’t always completely indicative of a heart attack. This is why it’s even more important for women to know the potential symptoms and advocate for themselves. Half of women who have heart attacks don’t experience any form of chest pain!

Symptoms include:

  • Chest pain, discomfort and pressure
  • Back and neck pain
  • Arm and jaw pain
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Sudden, extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath

What are the Symptoms in Men?

In comparison, men are more likely to experience a complete stoppage of blood flow to the heart. This is because plaque usually ruptures off the artery wall, creating a large blood clot. The symptoms may be more sudden and severe.

Symptoms include:

  • Sudden chest pain, discomfort and pressure
  • Left arm pain
  • Cold sweats

Just like it’s important to know your heart attack risk, it’s essential to know what to do if someone near you begins to show symptoms. HeartCert CPR offers FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Sign up today!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Sports Fans Should Be Aware of Heart Attack Risks

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Sports fans are well-accustomed to weathering the highs and lows of a suspenseful game. If your team is performing well, it can be an exciting time. If the other team is winning, it’s a less enjoyable experience. Whatever the situation, it’s important to be aware of the potential heart risks for sports fans.

heart risks for sports fans
photo c/o si.com

According to the American Heart Association, studies have shown an increase in arrhythmias and heart attacks during major sporting events like the World Cup. With football season underway, fans here in Minnesota should be aware of their heart health and heart attack risks before sitting down to watch the game.

Increased Stress Can Raise Heart Risks

The reason for the increased heart risks for sports fans? Experts say it’s all about emotion. An attachment to a team leads to emotional stress. When a game gets suspenseful or disappointing, that stress grows in intensity. This essentially triggers a fight-or-flight response, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. All of these factors can trigger a cardiovascular event.

Be Aware of Heart Disease Risks

Of course, not every sports fan is at risk of a heart attack during every game. Other heart disease risk factors – including weight, activity level, and the incidence of high blood pressure – can contribute. Talk to your doctor about your risk, and take steps to improve your heart health. Quit smoking, watch your cholesterol, eat a heart-healthy diet and get moving!

Continue to Enjoy Your Favorite Sports

Overall, these heart risks for sports fans don’t mean that you shouldn’t watch and enjoy football games. It’s just important to be aware of those risks and take steps to improve heart health and minimize excitement and stress. 

Protect Your Health with Hands-Only CPR

Whether you’re a football fan or not, hands-only CPR is a good skill to have. We offer FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota – sign up today!

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Holiday Heart Attacks and How to Avoid Them

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christmas tree

The holidays are full of sugary-treats and last-minute stress, so it’s no wonder that December and January are the most dangerous times of the year for heart attacks.

The American Heart Association reports that deaths from heart attacks peak during December and January, possibly due to changes in diet and alcohol consumption, stress from family interactions, strained finances, travel and entertaining, and respiratory problems from burning wood.

As the AHA reports:

“We tend to exercise less and eat more during the holidays,” said John Osborne, M.D., Ph.D., a Dallas-area preventive cardiologist. “It’s a very stressful time. There’s a lot of emotion attached to the holidays and that can be another factor to why we have more cardiovascular events.”

As the holidays upend routines, taking medications as prescribed can also get lost in the shuffle, Osborne said.

“I can’t tell you how often I get calls from patients who have traveled somewhere and forgot their medications,” he said, adding that he worries more about the patients who don’t contact him. “Some people figure they’ll be fine to be off them for a week or so, but if you start missing medications, that can have a big impact on causing your blood pressure to be out of control.”

For those who have already had a heart attack, the heightened risk during the holidays is particularly dangerous. That’s because about one in five heart attack survivors age 45 and older will have another heart attack within five years.

Being with family during the holidays is a good time for patients to talk about their health history — not just heart attacks, but also high blood pressure and high cholesterol, experts say.

“We can dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular events with lifestyle changes, but don’t ignore your family history,” Osborne said. “Genetics can catch up to you, even if you’re doing all the right stuff.”

Heart disease can be prevented in many cases through lifestyle factors, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure and not smoking, but “making lifestyle changes can be difficult,” Osborne said.

“I admit to my patients that I don’t love to exercise, but I really feel great having exercised,” he said. “Getting that motivation can be painful, but it’s fantastic when you get to the other side.”

Osborne said tools such as mobile apps can provide education and electronic reminders to help people stay focused on heart health.

“I have a very brief period with patients,” he said. “Tools like apps can encourage good health behaviors, being that gentle in-your-face technology.”

Now’s the time to schedule your CPR training for 2018. Remember to stay safe through the holidays.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Duluth, Mankato, Rochester, Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.