As Temperatures Rise, Keep Your Heart in Check

It sure doesn’t feel like April with Decatur temperatures in the mid 80’s. The heat may not stop you from getting out to run, bike or work in the yard. However, it is important to keep in mind, hot and humid conditions can be hard on your heart.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about every 25 seconds, someone in the U.S. will have a coronary event, and one person will die from one each minute. That’s scary. And it’s not something that you can say, “It won’t happen to me.”

“Heart disease has become so prevalent that everyone may know someone in the family who has been affected by it in some way,” says Dr. Mirza W. Ahmed, a DeKalb Medical cardiologist. “As a nation we are seeing obesity numbers rise each year, and with it diabetes and high blood pressure.”

If you haven’t had a physical exam in a while, it’s a good idea to get a checkup before heading into the hot summer months.

Dr. Ahmed says people should get a screening at their primary care doctor’s office for risk factors such as hypertension, cholesterol levels, and inflammatory markers. “Most people are not aware that simple tests such as an ultrasound of the neck can identify blockages in carotid artery (circulation to brain), which in turn can be treated easily,” he says.

DeKalb Medical has community outreach programs as well as screening programs, which aim at early detection and treatment of heart disease. The hospital has recently committed to launch the Heart and Vascular center which is aiming to serve the community better by combining screening and treatment.

It has been given approval by the state to proceed with its angioplasty program to treat blockages, which offers advanced heart care, right here in our community.

“Taking advantage of the screening programs and identifying problems early is the best approach,” says Dr. Ahmed.  

You can learn more about vascular disease prevention on April 27, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the DeKalb Medical Theatre North Decatur Campus.

Dr. Ahmed will discuss the latest medical advances and each person who attends will be eligible for a free vascular screening that is valued at $129.

For more information go to www.dekalbmedical.org or call 404-501-1000