You At Your Best

The Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute provides comprehensive care for your heart and vascular system, offering: • The largest team of cardiovascular experts in Northwest Arkansas with nine cardiologists including two electrophysiologists, four cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons and approximately 325 cardiovascular-health professionals • 76-bed cardiology unit • Northwest Arkansas' first electrophysiology program offering treatments including WATCHMAN™, cardiac ablation, pacemakers and defibrillators • Minimally invasive procedures including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repair (TAVR), Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR), Impella®- the smallest available heart pump for severe coronary artery disease, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology for high resolution 3D images during heart catheterizations, aneurysm repairs, carotid artery stenting and robotic lung procedures • Open and complex surgical procedures including coronary bypass, mitral valve repair, replacement of aortic aneurysms, surgical atrial fibrillation ablation, valve replacements, peripheral vascular procedures, and lung surgery • Specialized clinics including heart failure, lipid, heart valve, vein, cardiac rhythm management and Coumadin® clinic • Clinic locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, Siloam Springs, Bentonville, Harrison, Huntsville and Eureka Springs • In person, telephone, and telemedicine visits with 24/7 on call specialists for established patients For more information about Walker Heart Institute services and locations throughout Northwest Arkansas, visit www.wregional.com/heart. www.wRegionAl.com Walker Heart Institute: Complete cardiovascular care Heart disease is not characterized as a "woman's disease," yet it remains the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. But, by identifying their cardiovascular risk factors, women can gain the information they need to protect their heart health and improve their quality of life. To begin with, it's important that women recognize the symptoms of a heart attack, says Dr. Garrett Sanford, a cardiologist at Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, part of Washington Regional's Walker Heart Institute, which evaluates, diagnoses and treats a wide range of cardiovascular disorders. "Not recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack can lead to a delay in medical treatment and a loss of heart muscle," he says. Common heart attack symptoms include: • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest; it may last for a few minutes or go away and come back • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort • Breaking out in a cold sweat • Nausea • Lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting While women can experience the same heart attack symptoms that men do, women may also experience some other symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, upper back pressure or squeezing that feels as if their bra is too tight, and pressure or pain in their lower chest or upper abdomen. Dr. Sanford urges women not to discount these warning signs that may differ from better known symptoms. He says the most important thing for everyone to remember is to call 911 if you or anyone around you is experiencing heart attack symptoms. By calling 911 at the first sign of a heart attack, he explains, you are alerting emergency medical services personnel who can begin treatment as soon as they arrive. "They are equipped with knowledge and technology that can ensure the most timely treatment for a heart attack," Dr. Sanford says. "At Washington Regional, we can communicate directly with EMS personnel and perform important tests while the patient is being transported to the hospital. This ensures that the patient receives treatment during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved." While we tend to think that men are at greater risk of developing heart disease, that's not necessarily the case, Dr. Sanford says. "It just occurs earlier in men than it does in women. In men it usually occurs in their 50s and 60s, while in women it usually occurs in their 60s and 70s." Heart disease risk increases with age for everyone, but women may begin to notice symptoms after the onset of menopause, when the cardiovascular protection that estrogen provided is diminished. A family history of heart disease increases the risk of developing it, Dr. Sanford adds, but you can still take steps to lower your risk. "While we can't control our genetics, there are other things that we can control, such as not smoking, monitoring our blood sugar and managing or avoiding diabetes," he says. "It's important to know your numbers — such as what your blood pressure is — and to have your lipids, or cholesterol levels, checked at least annually by your primary care provider." People with a strong family history of heart disease, Dr. Sanford says, may benefit from additional testing and monitoring. To learn more about heart health or services provided by Washington Regional's Walker Heart Institute, visit www.wregional.com/heart or call 479-463-8740. HeArt diseAse spONsOr CONteNt women in suNday, JaNuary 30, 2022 | February - Happy Heart yOuatyOurbest.NWaONLiNe.COM | yOu at yOur best | 9

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