JotCast | Lexington Medical Center - Heart Health Questions

Lexington Medical Center - Heart Health Questions

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Sally

4:59

Hi! Are there particular supplements that I can take to help reduce the risk of heart disease?

Christina

5:02

Do you need a referral to see a cardiologist?

Brandon Drafts, MD, cardiologist

5:03

Not specifically. Fish oil can help with cholesterol. Otherwise, we do not have much research to support other supplements.

amanda

5:03

I am in my 30s and sometimes I get a sharp pain in my chest, near my heart. It doesn't last long and then goes away. Is that normal?

Megan

5:04

My uncle just passed away of a heart attack so my family is now concerned we are all more at risk. Do you have recommendations for us in terms of things to look for or preventative things we can do?

Guest

5:04

Amanda: that can be normal. common causes of chest pain in young individuals include muscle pains and heart burn. It would always be best to discuss chest pains with your doctor

Cydney

5:06

I'm in my 30's and was adopted, so I don't know my family history. Are there any tests or precautions I should take regarding heart disease?

Brandon Drafts, MD, cardiologist

5:06

Christina, you do not. You can call our office and arrange a new appointment.

Becky

5:07

I"m 48 and workout. I feel fine during exercise but only when i'm extremely tired, usually at night, I seem to get pains in my left side of chest. If i rest a couple of days it goes away. Does this sound like a heart issue or a symptom of something else?

Jean G., Pharmacist

5:07

Megan, that's a great question. Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiac events like heart attack and stroke, and family history is one of those risk factors. Prevention can be key to lowering your risk - quitting smoking, diet changes like reducing salt intake and bad fats, increasing activity levels, and limiting alcohol consumption, can all help lower blood pressure and reduce risk of heart attack.

Walter

5:07

Good evening. I'm 45 and have had a few weird pains in my chest recently then a rash showed up on my rib cage yesterday. I believe it may be shingles but could the chest pain have anything to do with the rash?

Harris

5:07

I've heard about new blood pressure guidelines and am always confused and overwhelmed by the numbers and what they mean. What is considered high blood pressure?

David Strickland, Fam Med

5:07

Cydney: in general, to your reduce your risk of heart disease, exercise 150 minutes per week , eat less than 2 grams of salt daily and avoid smoking and alcohol.

Kate

5:09

Are blood pressure and heart disease guidelines different for women?

Johnathan

5:10

I lost a parent to a heart attack and they were in their 60's. Is heart disease hereditary? Am I at a higher risk of heart disease with this being the case? If so, what can I do now to take care of myself? Thanks!

Dr. Kenya Cooper, Family Medicin

5:11

Walter: That does sound like shingles. Shingles does attack nerves along a specific pattern so the pain you are experiencing could be caused by shingles. You may want to see your primary care provider to help alleviate some of your symptoms.

Sommer

5:11

I have random sharp pains in my chest on my right side above my breast area - not common at all just sporadic like maybe once a month. Any suggestions

Brandon Drafts, MD, cardiologist

5:11

Becky, chest pain can come from many different things, but typically chest pain from the heart is associated with exertion. If you have concerns, I would discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

Martin

5:12

There is heart disease on my maternal and paternal sides of my family and I at a greater risk for heart disease?

Jean G., Pharmacist

5:12

Harris, great question - the latest blood pressure guidelines have changed things up a good quit. The ACC/AHA now have a goal of less than 120/80 to be considered normal blood pressure. There are three categories : elevated blood pressure: if your systolic (top number) is 120-129, Stage 1: >130 systolic or >80 diastolic (bottom number), and Stage 2: >140 systolic or >90 diastolic

Walter

5:13

Thank you Dr. Drafts

Dr. Dedmond, Orthopaedic Trauma

5:14

Jonathon: There are some family risks associated with heart disease, but more significant would be related to your own blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and alcohol use status, stress management and whether or not you have diabetes. It is best to focus on a low salt diet, 3 times weekly exercise and avoiding smoking to lower your own risks

Dr. Kenya Cooper, Family Medicin

5:14

Kate: There is no difference for blood pressure guidelines or heart disease guidelines for women.

Dr. David Strickland, Fam Med

5:15

Jonathon: apologies, there was a computer glitch. The above response was my own, not Dr. Dedmond's

5:18

Martin: There is a family component to heart disease but it is more important to focus on your own risk factors as mentioned earlier. This means regular exercise, low salt diet and avoiding smoking

Christina

5:18

Thank you Dr. Drafts.

Dr. Brandon Drafts, cardiologist

5:19

Sommer, its always a good idea to discuss concerning symptoms with your doctor. Pain coming from the heart is typically exertional in nature, but not always.

Martin

5:19

Thanks Dr. Strickland

sommer

5:20

Dr Drafts I will make sure to mention to my family doctor. Thank you

Jean G., Pharmacist

5:22

Harris, to expand on your question, a general rule of thumb is that the goal is less than 120/80 mmHg for preventing cardiac events, such as heart attack or stroke. A recent large trial was ended early because the data was clearly positive for intense or aggressive blood pressure lowering - participants had fewer major cardiac events in the intensive lowering blood pressure group.

Crystal

5:22

How can you tell the difference or is there a key indicator between severe gas and a heart attack?

Sarah

5:24

How can I tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack?

Jane

5:24

I take high blood pressure medicine - Lisinopril. Exactly how does that drug work to lower my blood pressure?

Dr. David Strickland, Fam Med

5:28

Crystal, Sarah: there is no single indicator if chest pain is gas pain or heart pain. Sometimes, heart pain can be worse with exertion but this is not always the case. You should discuss any chest pain with your docotr

Jean G., Pharmacist

5:30

Hi Jane, great question. Lisinopril is a medication that works on a chemical in our bodies called angiotensin and prevents it being converted into another chemical (angiontensin II) that can work on multiple organ systems to increase blood pressure. Lisinopril essentially gets in the way of this process and helps lower blood pressure.

Crystal

5:31

Thank you Dr Strickland

Angela

5:37

My son plays baseball and gets headaches when it gets really hot. I noticed this was a question on his team questionnaire. Is this symptom a predictor to something more serious?

Dr. David Strickland, Fam Med

5:45

Angela: that is difficult to say without being to examine your son. If your son gets headaches frequently, it would be worth while to discuss with your pediatrician

Jean G., Pharmacist

5:45

Jane, it is possible that your provider may have chosen lisinopril over other blood pressure medications because it can also help in protecting your kidneys. It is certainly a first line agent for blood pressure, with generally few side effects.

Jonathan

5:45

Is there a test to identify if arteries are blocked or damaged and can it be requested during an annual physical?

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