Heart Healthy Informationfrom Cardiologist Neighbor

         A pre-Valentine Day event with cardiologist Dr. Marc Girsky on February 11 at Ten50 hosted by SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association) and Dignity Health California Medical Center provided answers to a range of questions regarding heart healthy topics.

         Top of the list take-away #1 concerned diagnostic testing and the  mail solicitations people receive urging  testing to ensure your carotid artery is not blocked which could lead to a heart attack and stroke. Dr. Girsky emphasized repeatedly the need to determine why you are being tested. Do you have symptoms that a diagnostic test could help  explain? If you have no symptoms, there is no need to be tested. He reminded us that medicine and health are big businesses. The more we use, the more money the business makes, but it doesn’t mean you are healthier.

         Take-away #2 – patients (you) need to be forthcoming with information you share with your  doctor allowing them to fully assess your health. Dr. Girsky had a patient who said he had no problems. Asked if he exercised, he admitted he did not. But with careful prodding from Dr. Girsky, the patient revealed he did not exercise because he would get dizzy. That was an important bit of information for a doctor to know!

         Take-away #3 – when asked what a 55-year-old’s blood pressure reading should be, Dr. Girsky said “it depends.” A resting blood pressure reading is different than a reading after running up 18 flights of stairs. Blood pressure can also be influenced by medication and health conditions. Numbers do not tell the entire story. Many factors need to be considered, which means if you are concerned talk with your doctor.

         Take care of your heart – and not just in February during American Heart Health Month.

By Debra Shrout