February is American Heart Month. This month is designed to spread awareness about heart disease and encourage people to live heart-healthy lives.
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women?
According to the CDC, approximately 659,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, which accounts for one in every four deaths.
Heart Failure Awareness Week also falls in February. It’s important to learn exactly what heart failure is and what symptoms are for heart failure.
Heart failure is a cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the ventricles to fill or eject blood which means the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The most common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath and fatigue. Other signs are persistent coughing, difficulty breathing especially while lying down, swelling in the ankles and feet, lack of appetite/nausea, fast heart rate and sudden weight gain.
Standard tests used to aid in diagnosing heart failure include laboratory studies, an electrocardiogram (EKG), an echocardiogram, a chest x-ray, stress testing, cardiac MRI, or cardiac catheterization.
If you have a family history of heart disease or have symptoms of heart disease as described, please schedule an appointment with a cardiologist today.
North Suffolk Cardiology has 15 dedicated physicians specializing in heart failure throughout Suffolk county. We see patients in East Setauket, Medford, Rocky Point and Commack. To schedule your appointment, please call us at (631) 941-2000.
To read more about heart failure, please visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/northsuffolkcardiology/congestive-heart-failure-program.
