Rhea Medical Center

Let's Have a Heart-to-Heart A Conversation With Samantha Bryant Though mostly preventable, heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Poor lifestyle choices have left many Americans with heart disease, but education about preventive health measures can aid in the fight against our country's most common killer. IN SEEKING TO PROMOTE heart health awareness, Samantha Bryant, RN, BSN, Director of the Emergency Department at Rhea Medical Center, answers some important questions about heart disease and how to prevent it. Q: WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF HEART DISEASE? A: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, smoking, drug abuse, obesity, and family history of the disease all increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Q: WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK? A: The most common indicator of a heart attack is chest pain, but a person may also experience shortness of breath, fatigue, left arm pain, and possibly even jaw pain. Women may also have unique symptoms such as nausea or vomiting if they begin to experience a heart attack. Q: WHAT IS STRESS TESTING AND WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS TEST? A: Stress testing monitors the heart as it exerts energy, allowing a physician to detect any changes that might indicate heart disease. RMC physicians offer this test to patients who have risk factors for or symptoms of heart disease to determine if they might be developing the condition. Q: WHAT PREVENTIVE MEASURES DO YOU RECOMMEND TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE? A: Making healthy lifestyle choices is the key to preventing heart disease. Those who smoke need to quit as soon as possible. A healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy should be adopted to decrease cholesterol and increase weight loss. A regular exercise routine is also essential, and incorporating just 30 minutes of physical activity into your schedule each day can help lower your risk of heart disease. Dayton and Spring City both have walking tracks that make perfect places to start integrating exercise into your daily routine. RMC offers heart health classes and Lyndsey Perrin, RN, and Samantha Bryant, RN, BSN nutritional services to the public. The hospital can also monitor cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Monitoring is encouraged for those in their late 30s and early 40s. TO LEARN ABOUT CARDIAC REHABILITATION SERVICES AT RMC, VISIT RHEAMEDICAL.ORG AND SELECT "CARDIAC REHABILITATION" UNDER "SERVICES." 6 RHEA MEDICAL CENTER | SPRING 12 HEART-HEALTHY POWER FOODS If you're looking to start a heart-healthy diet, try incorporating some of the following "superfoods" into your meals: Blueberries—This fruit is packed with anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that help fight heart disease. Oatmeal—Enjoy this whole grain that contains numerous vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. Salmon—As a protein source loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can help prevent blood clots and reduce blood pressure. Spinach—The dark green color of this vegetable is produced by phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals— such as iron and folate— which work together to fight off heart disease. **************** ***************** *****************

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