Preventing Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Each year, more than one million people lose their lives from some form of heart disease, some of which may be genetic, and some are the result of lifestyle choices.
UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital is a leader in heart care and known as the Cedar Rapids Heart Hospital. People choose St. Luke's when they want the best possible heart care team helping them prevent, manage — and overcome — heart or vascular disease. Since 1978, St. Luke's Heart Care team has performed more than 60,000 open heart surgeries and procedures. Experience results in better outcomes.
Tools You Can Use to Prevent Heart Disease
St. Luke's can assess your risk for heart problems and give you the tools you need to improve your heart health with these resources:
PODCAST EPISODE: Know Your Number to Prevent Heart Disease
Dr. Richard Kettelkamp, St. Luke's Heart Care Clinic, returns to the podcast to discuss knowing your numbers to prevent heart disease. He and Dr. Arnold discuss blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and much more.
Women and Heart Disease
Women are unique and so are their hearts. Many are unaware that heart attacks are the leading cause of death for women as well as men. Although heart attack risk is the same for both genders, women's bodies often respond differently than men's. Women don't always have pain in their arm or chest when having a heart attack.
Symptoms women may experience during a heart attack include:
- Feeling out of breath
- Pain that runs along the neck, jaw or upper back
- Nausea, vomiting or indigestion
- Unexplained sweating or dizziness
- Sudden, overwhelming fatigue
Women are also less likely than men to believe they're having a heart attack and more likely to delay seeking emergency treatment.
The most important thing you can do? Trust your body. If you think something is wrong, call 911 immediately.
PODCAST EPISODE: Women's Heart Health
Dr. Laila Payvandi, St. Luke's Heart Care Clinic, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss women's heart health, how women's symptoms differ from men's, possible disparities in heart healthcare for men and women, and more.
Five Lifestyle Changes to Lower Blood Pressure
- Increase exercise. Aerobic exercise, such
as walking, biking or swimming, for just 30 minutes a day, four to
five days a week significantly improves your heart health.
- Eat a healthier diet. Avoid foods high in
saturated fat, trans fat, salt and cholesterol. Eat more fruits,
vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
- Cut down on alcohol. Drink no more than two drinks a day for men, one for women.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Stay cool - relax! Stress is hard on your heart, so take a deep breath and avoid stressors when possible.
PODCAST EPISODE: Preventive Cardiology
Dr. Fahed Al Darazi, cardiologist at St. Luke's Heart Care Clinic, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss what listeners can do to prevent heart disease. They discuss screening, symptoms, how the pandemic impacted preventive heart care and much more.
Additional Heart Care Resources
Cholesterol
Exercise
Prevention & General Information
Heart Failure
New Procedures
Patient Stories
Food & Recipes