February is American Heart Month, and so it’s a good time to learn more about what we do in our lives that contribute to things like heart disease and what we can do to prevent it.
One of the most serious things when it comes to your heart is a heart attack, and knowing the warning signs could save a life.
The Detroit Medical Center is home to specialists who can provide care for your heart, and Dr. Aziz Alkatib, an Interventional Cardiologist at the DMC, stopped by “Live in the D,” to share his expertise.
“A heart attack is most often caused by the build up of plaque inside the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply the heart with blood and oxygen,” Alkatib said. He said the plaque builds up for multiple reasons, but mostly due to our bad habits like smoking and bad diets.
Here’s a list of heart attack symptoms he says to watch out for:
- Pain in one or both arms.
- Pain in your back, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea.
Alkatib said not to ignore these signs, and if you experience them seek medical attention right away.
For more information on heart health and to take a free heart assessment, click here.
To see the entire interview, click the video above.