An appropriate time to talk about heart health

Friday, February 15, 2013
Jose DeHoyos, a cardiologist with Mercy Heartcare, uses a diagram to illustrate the parts and functions of the human heart during a lunch and learn session Thursday at Mercy Hospital. About 25-30 people attended the session, titled "What's Your Heart Telling You?" to learn more about the symptoms of heart disease and treatment options, as well as other topics. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

It was only fitting that an informative session on Valentine's Day at Mercy Hospital focused on one of the most important organs in the human body -- the heart.

In conjunction with American Heart Month, the hospital offered a free lunch and learn session Thursday titled "What's Your Heart Telling You?" The presentation was offered by featured speaker, Mercy Heartcare cardiologist Jose DeHoyos, who discussed the symptoms of heart disease and treatment options, the functions of the human heart and tips on preventing various heart ailments.

About 25-30 people attended the 30-minute session.

DeHoyos said great strides have been made in the medical realm in terms of preventing strokes and heart attacks, although coronary heart disease has become more prevalent of late. DeHoyos educated the audience and afterwards, took time to answer questions.

DeHoyos drew a diagram of a heart for attendees and explained its functions, saying the heart "is part of a divine creation called the human body." He described a process called cardiac output, which is the amount of work the heart has to do as a person performs common daily activities.

"The heart is a pump," he said. "For a person who weighs 140 pounds, the heart needs to pump four to four-and-a-half liters per minute to keep up with the minimal demands of the body ... the body needs supply. If you can't meet the demands of the body, you slow down."

As far as symptoms of heart conditions, DeHoyos said men tend to experience more angina - a condition marked by severe pain in the chest that spreads to the upper extremities, shoulders and neck, caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart - whereas females tend to feel more shortness of breath.

The most common symptom of heart disease is a sudden decrease in a person's ability to perform common daily tasks and activities. This can possibly be caused by a heart valve not working properly or a number of other heart disorders, DeHoyos said.

"A sudden change in the ability to do activities is a concern for heart disease," he said.

DeHoyos said the heart is a muscle that consists of a right and left pump. Blood travels from the left pump through arteries to the other organs of the body that need that blood, then comes through veins and back to the right pump "to start all over again." Sometimes, a pump deficiency can cause shortness of breath in a person.

Various conditions that DeHoyos discussed that are treated frequently today include pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and obstructive sleep apnea, the later of which is "more common now," he said.

DeHoyos also explained restless leg syndrome, which occurs when veins in the lower extremities become engorged, causing swelling in the legs.

Located in the right upper corner of the heart is an area called the sinoatrial node, which serves as a switch and acts as a pacemaker by producing a contractile signal at regular intervals, while on the other side of the heart an atrioventricular (AV) node, acts as a "switch operator" and the two work together, DeHoyos said.

The AV node connects the heart's atrial and ventricular chambers and helps coordinate the top of the heart. The heart has "backup switches in case you need it," DeHoyos said.

The best way to prevent a possible "catastrophic event," DeHoyos said, is to identify symptoms early.

"Prevention and acknowledgment of symptoms become important," he said.

Also beneficial is quitting smoking, being active, checking lipids, and watching nutrition and calorie intake.

"Obesity itself will not kill you, but it can bring about high blood pressure, high lipids," he said. Those, he said, can lead to heart attack and stroke.

To illustrate one of his points about heart valves, DeHoyos used a door in the meeting room as a visual aid. He said valves serve as doors, with part being the door frame and the other being the door itself.

"When the heart is weak, the frame has become bigger, but the door has not," which can lead to the valve not closing fully and leaking, he said. "The aortic valve can become stiff as we grow older."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, heart disease continues to be the number one killer among Americans with nearly 600,000 dying annually from effects of this condition.

The class was open to the public.


Mercy Offers $20 Lipid Panel

Heart issues aren't something any one plans for, so why not learn more about protecting your heart before it's too late?

In conjunction with American Heart Month, Mercy Clinic Fort Scott will offer $20 lipid panels to the public on Thursday, Feb. 21 and Friday, Feb. 22 from 7 -- 9 a.m. on both days in the Mercy Hospital main lobby.

A lipid panel measures total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides. No appointment is necessary. For accurate measurements, fasting for 8-12 hours is required. Participants may have water only, but don't skip medications. Please pay the $20 fee with cash or check.

Heart disease continues to be the number one killer among Americans. A lipid panel may offer important information for your physician to determine your risk of heart disease.

Test results are typically available within 48 hours. To get results electronically, participants are encouraged to sign up for MyMercy during lipid panel testing.

For more information about the $20 lipid panel, call 620-223-8013.