Dr. Noel Peterson, MD FACC | Eastern Cardiology PA
Know the warning signs of heart attack
Noel Peterson, MD, FACC, FASE
Eastern Cardiology, Greenville, NC
Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Disease
and Preventative Cardiology for the East Carolina Heart Institute
February is Go Red month, dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease in women. Traditionally heart disease has always been thought of as a man’s problem. However, the incidence of cardiovascular disease is similar in both sexes. Please take a few minutes to educate yourself regarding the signs and symptoms of heart disease in women. It may save your live or the live of someone you love.
One in four women die from heart disease, making it the #1 killer of women, regardless of race or ethnicity. It kills more women than breast, lung and colon cancer combined – yet we often fail to recognize that we are at risk for developing heart disease. In addition, our symptoms of heart disease are much more subtle – sometimes we do not even experience chest pain! Women often chalk up symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu, or normal aging.
Heart attack warning signs
- Chest fullness, tightness, squeezing, discomfort, pressure or pain. Usually located in center of chest, lasts a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back.
- Shortness of breath. This may occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Discomfort in the neck, the jaw, the chest, shoulders, upper back and both arms
- Indigestion or belching.
- Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
If you think that you are having a heart attack – please do not go and lie down to see if you will feel better!!! Call 911 – you will be seen immediately upon arrival to the emergency room (versus arriving in a personal vehicle) and life-saving treatments can be started while in-route to the hospital. Chew (don’t swallow) 325 mg of aspirin (4 baby aspirin) – this can help restore some blood flow during the time period that it takes you to get to the hospital.
Risk Factors That Can be Managed
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol or low HDL “good” cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Lack of regular activity
- Physically inactive or having a sedentary lifestyle
- Overweight or obese
Risk Factors You Can’t Control
- Age > than 65 years
- Family history of heart disease
- Race
- Previous heart attack
- History of pre-eclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, diabetes during pregnancy
- Inflammatory diseases (psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, etc…)
- Certain autoimmune disorders
Steps you can take: Know Your Numbers
Five numbers, that all women should know to control their heart health are:
- Total cholesterol
- HDL (good) Cholesterol
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Sugar
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
Given the gender specific differences in the presentation, manifestation, and diagnosis of heart disease, it’s important that women learn about these differences so that they can recognize when a heart attack is occurring and get proper, life-saving care as quickly as possible. Being proactive and taking steps to ensure your optimum health are key to preventing heart disease. Learn your numbers and work to improve them if necessary. Make this your year to take care of yourself by increasing physical activity (10,000 steps/day), commit to exercising just 30 min a day, receive adequate sleep (7-8 hours a night), and making healthier food choices by eliminating fast food, limiting processed food and choosing a clean diet composed of whole foods and by reducing stress.
Please call to make an appointment. You can reach Dr. Noel Peterson at 252-757-3333 or 252-758-3000. Office information and business hours are listed below
Office Information:
Eastern Cardiology, PA
Park Place Professional Center
2090 W Arlington Blvd., Suite B
Greenville, NC 27834
(Entrance on Hemby)
Ph: 252-757-3333
Ph: 252-758-3000
Fax: 252-752-1786
Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm.
•We know your time is valuable, but sometimes emergencies can cause delays. If we know your appointment will be affected, we will try to notify you.
•If for any reason you can not keep your appointment, please give us 24 hours notice.
•Be certain to bring any medications you are currently taking. This will allow us to accurately record your drugs and dosage.
•Insurance coverage needs to be noted, so please bring any insurance, Medicare or identification cards. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have prior to your doctor visit.