10 Questions To Ask Your Doctor

To Help Prevent A Heart Attack

DANBURY — Heart disease is public enemy No. 1, according to Ronald Raymond, a cardiologist at Danbury Hospital. More people – both men and women – will die of heart disease than of cancer or other deadly diseases.

“Half of all people will die of heart attack,” said Dr Raymond at a recent Medical Town Meeting, “Heart Attack & Gender Difference: A Striking Reality,” sponsored by Danbury Hospital. Dr Raymond talked about risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and how to survive a heart attack.

“How do you survive a heart attack?” Get to the hospital early. Heart muscle is best preserved when treated within an hour with clot-busting drugs. “Recognize symptoms, have a plan of who to call in an emergency and call 911 immediately,” said Dr Raymond.

While people commonly think that men are more at risk for heart attack, an equal number of women will be affected, too. Women, however, are usually diagnosed 10 years after men, and present with different symptoms.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

 Pressure on the chest, a feeling of fullness on the chest, like an elephant sitting one’s chest

 Trouble breathing

 Sweating

 Feeling sick to the stomach

 Pain in arms or shoulders

In women, symptoms are atypical and can include:

 Atypical chest pain

 Dizziness

 Feeling sick to stomach

 Heart racing

 Overall not feeling well

 Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness

 Upper back pain

 Unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue

Dr Raymond also offered 10 questions that people should ask their doctor concerning heart disease:

 What are my risk factors?

 Am I at risk for stroke?

 What are the warning signs or symptoms?

 What should I know about menopause? Women’s risk of heart attack increases after menopause.

 Do I need to lose or gain weight?

 What’s a healthful eating plan for me?

 What kind of physical activity is good for me?

 What is my blood pressure?

 Is it healthy for my weight?

 What is my cholesterol?

 Based on my risk factors, what can I do to lower my risk of disease?