Vascular Medicine

Vascular medicine specializes in the care of your circulatory system outside of your heart. This includes your arteries, veins and lymphatic system: Arteries: Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body. Vascular medicine specializes in the care of your circulatory system outside of your heart. This includes your arteries, veins and lymphaticsystem:
Arteries: Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.
Veins: Blood vessels that carry blood from the body back into the heart.
Lymphatic system: A network of vessels throughout the body that drains lymph fluid from tissues to maintain fluid balance and to clear byproducts of inflammation.

Think of a heart attack as a plumbing problem. When your arteries are clear, blood flows easily through your body. However, when something interrupts the flow of blood to your heart, it causes heart tissue to die (a heart attack). It can also affect how well your heart pumps in the future. The most common cause of heart attack is coronary artery disease (CAD). With this condition, fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. If plaque restricts your blood flow, or part of it breaks off and forms a clot that blocks blood flow, your heart won’t get the oxygen it needs. This can result in chest pain called angina or in a heart attack. Identifying heart attack symptoms can be tricky. The sudden, overwhelming symptoms portrayed in movies don’t always happen: They vary from person to person, and between men and women. Being aware of these signs can mean getting help for you or your loved one when every second counts, and can be life-saving. Chest discomfort can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. This can last for several minutes, or go away and come back.

Cold sweat, nausea, vomiting or lightheadedness.

Shortness of breath, which can happen before or during your chest discomfort.

Upper body discomfort in one or both arms or in your back, neck, jaw or stomach.

For women, heart attack symptoms often don’t include crushing chest pain or discomfort. Rather, women tend to have discomfort in one or both arms, their back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Take these healthy steps to strengthen your heart and lower your heart attack risk:

Be active: Any physical activity will benefit your heart. Exercise increases blood circulation, improves your energy and helps you manage stress. It also helps control your weight.
Eat healthy foods: Load up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean meats, fish and healthy oils and bake, broil, poach or grill your foods. Limit red meat, salt, and packaged foods.
Know your family history: If you have a family history of CAD or heart attack, you may be at increased risk yourself. Discuss any family history of these conditions with your doctor.
Limit your alcohol intake: Consuming alcohol can raise your blood pressure, increase your weight and sometimes cause heart conditions such as irregular heart beat, cardiomyopathy.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight is linked to the hardening of your arteries, which increases your risk for heart attack. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight can decrease your risk.
Reduce stress: Ongoing or severe bouts of stress can increase your heart rate, blood pressure and your body’s demand for oxygen all of which can affect your heart.
Stop smoking: You’ll breathe easier. Your food will taste better. You’ll feel better mentally and physically and you’ll reduce your heart attack risk significantly. Learn more about ProMedica’ Stop Smoking Programs. Take your heart medication: Staying on schedule with any prescribed heart medications is important. Make sure you’re taking the right dose, at the right times. It’s also a good idea to carry an up-to-date list of all your medications with you, including your prescribed medicines as well as over-the-counter ones you take often. Schedule routine check-ups: Seeing your primary care provider at least once a year will help you maintain an overall healthy lifestyle and will help identify any potential heart issues.

Media Contact:

John Mathews

Journal Manager

Current Trends in Cardiology

Email: cardiologyres@eclinicalsci.com