Roughly a million Americans have a heart attack each year, including about 150,000 people who actually have a silent attack and never knew they had it. Dr. Deon Vigilance, a cardiovascular surgeon with Indiana University Health, says heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. Dr. Vigilance offers some helpful tips for this edition of “Ask the IU Health Expert”:
What top tips would you suggest to prevent a sudden heart attack?
Five suggestions come to mind. First, I would recommend that individuals stop smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. Secondly, maintain a healthy weight. Third, keep your blood pressure and blood sugar under control. Fourth, maintain a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. And lastly, try to get 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
What kinds of medical problems do you typically see in your medical practice?
I often see patients who are dealing with medical problems such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and lung disease due to smoking. Many of these problems are caused by tobacco abuse, an inactive lifestyle, stress and unhealthy eating habits.
What role does food play in heart attack risk? What role does obesity play?
An unhealthy diet can lead to high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension and obesity – all of which play a role in a person experiencing a heart attack. Obesity may lead to inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle, which again increase one’s risk of having a heart attack.
What are some facts that your patients tend to find the most surprising when it comes to heart health?
Many of my patients are surprised to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, responsible for 1 of every 3 deaths. They are also surprised to learn that 80 percent of heart disease cases can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes.
What are some effective ways to catch a heart attack before it happens?
One effective way is to get a heart scan. A heart scan is a CT scan of the chest that is used to detect coronary artery disease in patients who do not have symptoms, but who do have risk factors for coronary artery disease. A key benefit of a heart scan is that is can detect signs of coronary artery disease before the occurrence of a fatal heart attack. A heart scan can also identify other heart or lung abnormalities like cancer.
Listen to your heart
Sign up for a $49 heart scan with IU Health and have your results read by a board-certified radiologist. Learn more at IUhealth.org/heart-scan.
Visit IU Health at the Black Expo Health Fair
IU Health will be present at the Black and Minority Health Fair at the Indiana Convention Center from July 18 until July 21. Visit the IU Health booth to learn more about IU Health cardiovascular and neuroscience services, its community outreach efforts and other health services it provides to the community.
