Capital Health Plan

Ask Dr. Nancy

Nancy Van Vessem, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Capital Health Plan

Q: A guy I golf with (not old) had a heart attack out of the blue. Could it happen to me?

A: It could- or could not. I can't predict, but I know for certain that you should learn about heart disease risks and take proven preventive steps. Very little happens "out of the blue."

Asking your question is a first smart move. Coronary heart disease is America's number one killer. (Coronary heart disease refers to diseases of the arteries as well as their complications, such as heart attacks.) Heart attacks hit men at an earlier age, on average, than women. If you smoke, have excess body fat, or are inactive, you are more likely at risk.

Men often put off going to doctors, but to know your heart disease risks, you need simple tests. Make an appointment with your primary care physician. You may have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol levels without knowing it, and these can damage the cardiovascular system over time. People with a family history of heart attack are possibly more at risk for attacks. All the more reason to choose to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are steps everyone should take to prevent heart disease:

1. Don't smoke or use other tobacco.
Chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the heart and narrow blood vessels. Nicotine also makes the heart work harder. As soon as you quit, your health will benefit.

2. Exercise regularly. Keep up that golfing.
Exercise can reduce risk of fatal disease by nearly 25%. Moderate exercise (walking and gardening) is fine. Aim for 30-60 minutes most days. Even less is beneficial. Exercise helps your heart pump efficiently and controls weight and stress.

3. Eat a heart-healthy diet.
These foods are specific to heart health: more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains; limited fat (especially saturated fat and transfat); omega-3 fatty acids (present in fatty fish); and none or only moderate alcohol (two drinks/day for men, one for women).

4. Maintain a healthy weight.
Weight gained as adults is mostly fatty tissue. Excess weight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Not sure if your weight is healthy? Find out! Learn about BMI (body mass index) and waist-circumference guidelines at www.nhlbi.nih.gov. In the search box, enter "aim for a healthy weight."

5. Make lifestyle choices to modify your risk factors.
If you have high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, or high cholesterol levels, excellent therapies are available. Healthier lifestyle choices alone can significantly improve these problems.

Make the decision today to take a few simple steps to reduce your risk of ending up in an ambulance on the way to the emergency room with chest pain, or worse. I urge all members to review the Screening Charts on page 2 and schedule needed exams. Live well.

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