Family Health Surviving Your Heart Attack SouthCrest Cardiologist Encourages Patients to Know Their Symptoms

There’s a good reason heart disease is known as the “silent killer” and that’s because far too many of us simply don’t know the symptoms. As America’s No. 1 killer, cardiovascular disease affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. “It’s true there’s no magic bullet to avoid becoming a heart attack victim,” says John G. Ivanoff, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of the SouthCrest Cath Lab.  “But, learning the warning signs of a heart attack is an excellent place to start.” Join Dr. Ivanoff as he discusses “Surviving Your Heart Attack” on Tuesday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the SouthCrest Medical Plaza, 91st and Hwy. 169, Education Center, Suite 145. In addition, Dr. Ivanoff will discuss heart disease prevention and the various treatments for coronary artery disease. Anyone interested in receiving a full gamut of practical information on this important topic - particularly individuals with a family history of heart disease - is encouraged to attend.  Dr. Ivanoff specializes in interventional cardiology, which includes cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty and related interventional procedures such as stents, atherectomy and direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction. The Basics Warning Signs Typical symptoms of a heart attack include: • Chest tightness, burning or pressure (often this discomfort is also felt in the left shoulder, left arm and hand, or the neck and/or jaw) • Nausea and vomiting • Sweating • Dizziness Sometimes symptoms are not typical, and include shortness of breath and fatigue Risk Factors • High cholesterol levels • Diabetes • Being a smoker • High blood pressure • Genetically predisposed “The good news is, however, that many people survive heart attacks and go on to live full and active lives,” Dr. Ivanoff says. “In fact, many of my patients completely turn their lives around and feel better than they ever have following a heart attack due to proper treatment and lifestyle changes.” Suggested lifestyle changes include: • Exercise –Strengthens the heart muscle –Increases energy levels –Improves circulation –Reduces stress • Quit smoking or chewing tobacco Food choices • Moderate-sized portions • Less fat in cooking and in foods • Limited salt and sodium if you have high blood pressure A Word About Women and Heart Disease Time and time again, when asked what they consider to be the most serious threat to their health, women cite breast cancer. Yet, the cold, hard facts are that as the No. 1 killer of women, heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. What’s more, many women consider heart disease to be something that can happen later in life. Again, not so! It is imperative that all women age 20 and older have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every five years. In addition, when a woman is young, she should incorporate exercise into her life to help prevent heart disease. For more information regarding SouthCrest Hospital and its full menu of services, please visit www.southcresthospital.com. Dr. Ivanoff’s practice is located on the SouthCrest Hospital campus at 9001 S. 101st E. Avenue, Suite 350, (918) 392-5644. Sidebar: SouthCrest Healthy Living Class “Surviving Your Heart Attack” John Ivanoff, M.D. Tuesday, February 5 6:30 p.m. SouthCrest Medical Plaza, 91st and Hwy. 169 Education Center, Suite 145 Call 294-DOCS to register.