According to the American Heart Association, someone in the United States has a heart attack about every 40 seconds. Heart disease also encompasses high blood pressure and more. It’s a big problem that does not always exhibit obvious symptoms, so awareness and prevention are important factors. Natural Awakenings asked three Dallas-area heart authorities about their views in the month of Valentine’s Day, when hearts are always in vogue.

Jeffrey M. Schussler, M.D., at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital, says, “We’ve continued to see the incidence of heart disease increase over the last few years. We were hopeful, with the reduction overall in tobacco use, that this would not be the trend, but we’ve seen an increase in heart disease nationwide, due largely to the epidemic of obesity, diabetes and hypertension."

He advises, "In patients with risk factors for heart disease, symptoms of chest pain (often described as 'burning' or 'aching' in their chest) should be concerning. Symptoms which seem to come on with exercise should be brought to the attention of a physician."

He suggests three lifestyle changes to prevent or mitigate heart disease: tobacco cessation, regular exercise and weight loss. "There is very good data to show that neither vitamins nor supplements afford any type of cardiovascular benefit," notes Schussler. Given how much time, effort and funds patients spend on these, it would be best if these were steered clear of. My general recommendation is that if your healthcare provider didn’t suggest you take it, don’t."

He describes how placing stents in severely narrowed arteries continues to advance. "For patients with heart attacks or chest pain due to blockages, we can safely and quickly improve symptoms, and in some cases, save lives. We’re exploring new ways to open arteries without stents, and have started utilizing robotic technology to help more precisely place stents. Additionally, in the very sickest of patients, ECMO [extracorporeal membrane oxygenation] has shown to be life-saving, keeping people alive who would otherwise perish from severely damaged hearts, heart attacks or sudden cardiac death.

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Owais Idris, M. D., an interventional cardiologist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano and Texas Health Hospital Frisco, observes, "The incidence of heart disease has increased significantly as Americans have become more sedentary, while stress levels have gone up. To make things worse, COVID-19 has become a significant strain on the healthcare system, and we are seeing many younger patients without any medical conditions have COVID-19-related issues such as post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome."

He cautions, "Just like in many other diseases such as cancer, early diagnosis is key. If you feel that something is wrong or that you should be seen by a physician, then listen to your inner self. Heart disease has many risk factors, but the biggest preventable one continues to be smoking.

His lifestyle strategies are simple. "I know it’s cliché, but physical activity, diet and addressing your risk factors are the main ways to prevent heart disease. If you are living with diabetes, then controlling it should be your number one priority. If you’re a smoker, quitting smoking should be your most urgent lifestyle change. Increasing your activity level will not only prevent heart disease, but if heart disease is present, it will help to unmask it."

As for medical advances, he states, "We are delivering world-class cardiac care right here in North Texas by dealing with heart disease in new and innovative ways. We are replacing and repairing heart valves without cutting people’s chests open, repairing blockages in patients who are not good candidates for open-heart surgery by using mechanical circulatory support pumps and removing or dissolving blood clots in lungs and other vessels using minimally invasive devices and techniques."

For more information visit TexasHealth.org.

Medical City Heart Hospital, in Dallas, notes that more research and education is being done around heart disease and heart failure, which means that patients are able to get treated earlier when they’re not as sick. This allows for a greater chance of prevention

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the number one risk factor for several heart disease-related disorders. It’s often called the “silent killer”. Many people do not know they have high blood pressure. The added strain on the heart can lead to heart failure or other problems. The second biggest risk factor is high cholesterol, which can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems. Nearly one in three American adults has higher than the recommended cholesterol levels. Other risk factors include diabetes and obesity.

Recommendations include scheduling regular wellness exams and sharing family heart health history with a doctor, as well as focusing on risk factors we can control, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating right, exercising regularly and quitting smoking. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, secondhand smoke can increase the risk for heart disease and stroke by up to 30 percent.

Harvard researchers found five key lifestyle areas that can have a positive impact on health and longevity. Study subjects that practiced these habits at age 50 enjoyed significantly longer lives than those who practiced none of them: 14 additional years for women and 12 for men. They were also far less likely to die prematurely from cancer or cardiovascular disease. They are: maintain a healthy weight; get moving; eat a healthy diet; quit smoking and drink in moderation.