by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., affecting more than 800,000 Americans every year. But despite this, they’re often a “silent killer,” and by the time you feel symptoms, it may already be too late. But what exactly is a heart attack, and how can you reduce your risk of one?
“A heart attack is when your heart doesn’t receive enough blood leading to pain and other symptoms, as well as tissue death,” explains Dr. Vladimir Senatorov, a primary care physician with Central Florida Health Care. “When tissue death occurs, this is known as myocardial infarction.”
While there’s no single group that is at highest risk for heart attacks, there are a variety of factors that can put you at increased risk.
“Outside of situations where it’s a genetic, familial condition, it’s usually lifestyle that contributes to heart attack risk,” says Dr. Senatorov. “Not having enough movement is a big one. If you drive, watch TV, and don’t move around much and just sit on the couch, this is not good. We need to move to use glucose, and if you don’t, it accumulates in your body.”
This excess sugar can build up in the liver or lead to fat accumulating in the body. This fat gets stuck to the walls of your blood vessels, a condition called atherosclerosis, and can increase your risk of heart attack. But in many cases, patients aren’t even aware of these issues occurring within their bodies, and they experience little to no symptoms.
“When you have symptoms it’s often a little bit too late,” says Dr. Senatorov. “It doesn’t all happen in one day. It’s a cumulation.”
The good news is that with the help of a medical professional, you can predict and avoid heart attacks.
“It takes many years before you have a heart attack, but a good physician or nurse practitioner can predict it,” explains Dr. Senatorov. “We can calculate your risk based on things like age and gender, and there are lots of tests that can be done. Even a very simple physical examination, where we check your pulse and listen to your heart can help us identify issues.”
Your doctor will also take into account factors like lifestyle, family history, diet, and your BMI to evaluate your heart attack risk and then help you reduce that risk.
”The first recommendation is, of course, that you need to watch how much extra weight you have. Watch what you eat, eat a good variety, and avoid overeating and sugar. But more important than your weight is how active you are. The recommendation is generally to try to walk or do some physical activity for 30 minutes to an hour every day.”
Dr. Senatorov also emphasizes the importance of regular doctor’s visits.
“A smart patient goes and sees the doctor before they have any symptoms,” says Dr. Senatorov. “I suggest making regular appointments, instead of waiting until you have symptoms. Make a schedule to see your physician every three to 12 months, depending on your age and your risk. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
Dr. Senatorov’s overriding message is that neither your doctor nor your heart can do it alone.
“This is a very important point: Your doctor cannot do much by himself. It’s a team effort. Patients need to work together with their doctor to improve their health and reduce heart attack risk,” says Dr. Senatorov. “Second, the heart does not work on its own either. It works in cooperation with other body parts. Make sure you are in the best possible condition for everything, not just your heart but your liver, your kidneys, even your teeth.”