General Health Topic - Heart Attack Signs

Hello Everyone,

I know we are in the middle of a series on How Antibiotics Work but I read something online and I thought I needed to let you know.

The article, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that only 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs of a HEART ATTACK and what to do first. I do not want my readers to be in the group that doesn't know about the warning signs of heart attack.

Here are the signs and symptoms and can include one or more of the following 6:

1. Chest pain (most common symptom)
2. Shortness of breath
3. Pain or discomfort in the chest
4. Discomfort in the arms or shoulder
5. A feeling of weakness or lightheadedness
6. Discomfort in the jaw, neck or back

According to the American Heart Association, women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath and back or jaw pain.

If you, a family member or co-worker experience these symptoms...CALL 911.

Sometimes patients are rushed to the hospital for heart attack symptoms and it turns out to be something entirely different. Don't worry about that. Consider that the symptoms are heart attack symptoms until proven otherwise!!!!

For more information, check out the following links:

The CDC publication: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
The American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org

Hopefully, this information is helpful. Please pass it on to all your friends, family and co-workers.

Thanks,

Dr. Paul

General Health Topic - Large Waist = Increased Heart Attack Risk

Hello Everyone,

Need more motivation to lose that spare tire around the mid-section?

Did you know that increased waist size is an indicator that you may be at increased risk for a heart attack? True story! Why you ask?

Here's why.

There are two main areas where fat stores in the body. One is the fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat) and the other is deep in the abdomen, around organs like the liver and stomach. that deep stored fat (visceral fat) is the one that causes the problems.

The visceral fat near the liver provides a steady supply of fat that is converted into cholesterol. That cholesterol then circulates throughout the body which can be deposited in the blood vessels and clog them. Clogging of the blood vessels and arteries can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Visceral fat also acts like a body organ and can secrete chemicals (Interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-Reactive Protein (CRP)) that can cause inflammation in the body. That includes inflammation of the arteries. Those inflamed arteries can also become obstructed causing heart attacks and stroke. Studies also indicate that increased levels of IL-6 and CRP can predict the development of Type 2 Diabetes. There are other studies that support the hypothesis that body fat is the main determining factor of metabolic abnormalities and chronic low inflammation (Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2004 Apr;14(2):66-72)

According to Dr. Paul Donohue, a man's waist should measure 40 inches or less and a woman's should be 35 inches or less.

Here is the good news. Walking, jogging, biking and swimming and other forms of exercise can reduce visceral fat.

I'm going to be on the treadmill soon. Right after lunch!

Until later,


Dr. Paul