Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Did you know that women are more prone to heart attacks than men?

According to a recent survey, heart attacks are the number one death-causing medical condition in America. According to the AHA (American Heart Association), chances of heart attack are higher in women than in men. Furthermore, the symptoms of heart attack that women tend to experience vary significantly from the ones usually experienced by men.

Knowing how to recognize signs of a heart attack is especially important for women. Here are some symptoms of heart attack experienced by women:

Discomfort in upper body:


A typical sign of this disease is chest pain. Usually women experience mild pain and not excruciating pain experienced by men. The pain feels like a pressure on the chest. Pain between the shoulder blades can also be a sign of a heart attack. Other types of discomfort in the upper body that are signs of heart attack include pressure in the jaw, shoulders, abdominal area, and neck.

Prodromal symptoms

Prodromal, signs of heart attack in women can sometimes persist for weeks and even months at a time. Before a heart attack, the majority of women report chest discomfort, anxiety, indigestion, difficulty in sleeping, shortness of breath, and fatigue. While any of these signs may be caused by other factors, these combined symptoms mean that she is at a risk of a heart attack and needs quick medical attention.

Special factors

Early signs of heart attack in women need to be given due consideration especially if a woman is above the age of 40 and/or has a family history of heart disease. Obese women that live a sedentary lifestyle and those who take contraceptive pills fall should also seek medical consultation.

Other common heart attack symptoms


These symptoms are common both in men as well as women. However, women are more likely to experience vomiting, nausea, heartburn and gas-like pain. Women may also feel weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and light-headedness just before a heart attack.

All women, especially those who are at a higher risk of this life-threatening situation, should be well-educated about recognizing these signs. Upon experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, a specialist should be consulted immediately. In the case of a heart attack, emergency medical services should be called and proper medical attention should be given to the patient.

Chances of survival are higher if proper medical attention is given within first hour of a heart attack. It can also minimize the damage caused to the muscles of heart.

By being aware of heart attack symptoms and have a proper knowledge of how to deal with them, you can save a life.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Information on role and importance of cardiology doctors

A cardiologist can be a life saver, especially for those suffering from heart disease. These medical professionals are actually a blessing in disguise for many. Because of widespread sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, heart disease is increasing at a rate never seen before. A consultation with a cardiologist can be very helpful.

Cardiologists study human heart structure, cardiac disease, the reason behind those problems, and required medications for that particular medical issue. These doctors are medical professionals, who help cure cardiac diseases by understanding your medical condition. A cardiologist is primarily responsible for diagnosing your heart-related problems by studying the symptoms, taking the necessary tests, and studying your family history and lifestyle habits.

Upon recognizing that a person may have a heart related issue, the first step is to visit the best possible cardiology doctor in your locality. These doctors will guide you through the entire treatment procedure and assess your medical condition by conducting the necessary medical examinations, diagnosing the issues to find the root cause of any cardiac problem, so that the necessary remedial actions can be taken.    

An expert doctor would recommend both medications and changes in your lifestyle. He or she would teach you certain cardiac exercises to be performed regularly and would make you aware of the ideal food habits to ensure a healthy heart. If the person has had a stroke, the doctor would examine the symptoms and effects of stroke, and prescribe medications accordingly. Some of the common medications that these doctors would prescribe will be aimed at thinning the blood to reduce the chances of blood clot formation which may result in stroke. Other medication can be focused on reducing the blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels.

The major responsibility of a cardiac specialist is to diagnose the heart problem. They are not the ones that perform heart surgeries. If a surgery is required, then these professionals usually refer the patients to an expert surgeon. However, the cardiologist’s main motive is to first diagnose the problem.

If all the medications and lifestyle changes fail to treat the problem, then the situation may require surgery. It is the responsibility of the cardiologist to supply the necessary diagnostic information and medical details to the surgeon, so that the surgeon can study all the important aspects and  the most effective surgery can be conducted.

Inability to treat a heart-related problem correctly can be life threatening. That is why the choice of a cardiologist is an important decision. Only the most knowledgeable and experienced cardiologist should be selected after due considerations. The experience of the doctor is a crucial factor to be considered.