Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Nearly 2,400 Americans die of heart disease each day.

What can you do to minimize your risk? Cardiologist Devang Patel, M.D., who practices in the Stone Oak area, recommends the following:

• Smoking - if you are a smoker, stop smoking.

• Diabetics - if you are a diabetic, control your diabetes.

• Cholesterol - know and control your cholesterol levels and talk to your doctor about whether you are at your goal, because target levels vary according to patient risk.

• Blood Pressure - have your blood pressure checked regularly, and get it treated if high.

• Weight - reduce your weight by combination of diet and exercise.

• BMI - maintain an ideal body mass index, and if you don’t know what that is, ask your doctor. Healthy waist circumference should be less than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.

• Diet - maintain a healthy diet. Reduce your total caloric intake to meet energy requirements – sedentary individuals need less than those with an active lifestyle. Foods that are low in saturated fat, low in processed sugars and low in sodium content are recommended.

• Exercise - exercise regularly between 30 and 60 minutes of moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) 3 to 7 days a week, in combination with resistance exercise (such as light weights) 2 days a week. Those that are actively trying to loose weight will need to do more than those trying to maintain their weight.

• Screenings - screenings for heart disease is important as well. All adults more than 20 years of age should have their cholesterol levels measured every 5 years. There is no screening age for high blood pressure, but at every medical contact (including visit for routine dental cleaning) blood pressure should be routinely checked. Screening is recommended for those considered at high risk because they have a combination of risk factors for heart disease or those in high risk occupations such as airline pilots.

Dr. Patel believes prevention is key, but knowing the symptoms of heart disease or heart attack and when to call a doctor or 911 can save your life.

Look for the following symptoms. They could be a sign a heart attack and should be evaluated in the emergency room immediately.

• Chest pain, discomfort - tightness or heaviness
• Shortness of breath with effort that is relieved by rest
• Similar pain at rest
• Other symptoms may include leg swelling, dizziness or palpitations

The bottom line: Take your heart health into your own hands. Make the lifestyle changes that can keep your heart healthy, and know the signs and symptoms of heart disease so that you can get help fast.

Baptist Health System was the first system in San Antonio to implement “Heart Alert,” a program that in most cases gets heart attack patients into the cath lab for life-saving treatment in under an hour… well under the national standard of 90-minutes. Each of the five Baptist Health System hospitals have received renewed Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers.








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