We celebrate romantic love in February because of Valentine’s Day, but it’s also American Heart Month — the perfect time to think about heart health and what you can do to support yours.
Unfortunately, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, responsible for one in three deaths annually.
Dr. Migliarti Tjahjana and our caring team at One Health Medical in Reston, Virginia, are committed to helping you take the best possible care of your heart. It’s important to know the signs of trouble too, and we educate you about which symptoms should motivate you to seek care.
Because Dr. Tjahjana provides complete care during your yearly physical exam, heart health is an important component and a topic she’ll definitely cover during your visit. If you need a referral to a specialist, we can help with that too.
Your heart performs amazing work, each and every moment. It literally sustains life by pumping blood filled with nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, and helping it get rid of waste.
There are fixed risk factors, like family history, that you can’t change, but there are many powerful steps you can take to lower your risk for heart disease:
While it’s essential to take care of your heart, you should also learn the warning signs that might indicate there’s heart trouble brewing.
Getting familiar with potential indicators of a heart problem is critical. Knowing what signs to be on the lookout for can help you can get care as soon as possible — and enjoy a better outcome if you’re dealing with a heart condition of some sort.
If you experience pain or discomfort in your chest, don’t ignore it!
This may indicate that you have a condition called angina, where the blood flow to your heart is reduced. This is caused when the waxy, fatty substance called plaque accumulates in your arteries and slows your blood’s circulation.
Chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack, and may be accompanied by arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back pain. A heart attack is a medical emergency — call 911 or ask someone else to do so if you suspect you may be having one. Never drive yourself to the local ER.
If you get winded easily — especially when you’re exerting yourself — this might point to a more serious chronic heart issue, including:
Shortness of breath is another symptom that should prompt you to see a medical professional right away, as it can signal a much higher likelihood of an eventual (and possibly imminent) cardiac event.
If you feel pressure in your chest, seek emergency care without delay. You might experience it as a squeezing sensation, or like something very heavy is on your chest. However you describe it, this can be a major heart attack symptom, and it can also indicate a condition where fluid around your heart compresses it, called cardiac tamponade.
Aside from these symptoms, you should also trust your gut if you feel something simply isn’t right, whether you notice heart rhythm changes, sudden intense fatigue, or anything out of the ordinary.
Failing to get care for a heart attack, for example, can mean serious, irreversible heart damage. This is why we tell patients never to feel self-conscious about seeking emergency care if they think they might be having a heart attack. It’s always better to be safe than sorry — especially when your life is on the line.
We can help you take great care of your heart. During your annual wellness exam, Dr. Tjahjana will discuss your family history, individual risk factors, any symptoms you may be experiencing, and answer your questions and concerns.
Call 571-572-9198 to reach One Health Medical Care in Reston, Virginia, today, or use our online booking feature to schedule a visit at your convenience.
