Austin, Texas – February is American Heart Month in the United States.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in Texas. Heart disease cases among adults increased by 23% between 2021 and 2022.

Dr. Vivek Goswami, a cardiologist at Austin Heart Hospital and Austin Heart, joined FOX 7 Austin’s Rebecca Thomas to discuss.

Rebecca Thomas: Dr. Goswami, what are the main risk factors for heart disease?

Dr. Vivek Goswami: Well, when we talk about traditional heart disease, we include things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, diabetes, smoking, poor diet, poor exercise habits, and your actual age. And above all, being human is itself a traditional risk factor for heart disease.

Rebecca Thomas: Let’s talk about screening and how important it is in detecting this early.

Dr. Vivek Goswami: Yes, certainly. So I think traditionally we’ve had a very reactive mindset when it comes to heart disease. We’re waiting for people to have heart attacks. Then, if possible, we will place stents, bypass surgery, and various other procedures. For most people, the first symptoms of heart disease are 60% bad. So 6 times out of 10, someone is at home eating dinner with their family and they feel good. The next morning, he suffered sudden cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction. So if we don’t get to the hospital in time to take advantage of all these great technological advancements, we might end up just like living 200 years ago. So, with that in mind, it is essential to get ahead of this. And screening is most important. I feel better the day before I have a fatal heart attack. So we really, really have to get ahead of it. And when people are doing well, we should assess our position in advance. We should keep people healthy, not wait until we get sick and then try to cure us retroactively.

Rebecca Thomas: And many of the screenings are very simple, like checking your cholesterol and blood pressure.

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Dr. Vivek Goswami: Yes, that’s right. Many people who go to the doctor every year will have their cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels tested in a laboratory. These traditional risk factors can increase your risk of heart disease, but there is not necessarily a one-to-one correlation. Therefore, there may be people who have high blood pressure but do not have heart disease. On the contrary, it is often much more frightening. Some people may have heart disease even if they have normal cholesterol and blood pressure and no family history. It’s like saying some people can speed while driving. The risk of getting into a car accident is higher, but there is not necessarily a one-to-one correlation. Conversely, even people who drive the speed limit and drive very safely can be involved in a car accident. Therefore, the key is to screen for disease, not just disease risk. There is no better marker of heart disease risk than direct visualization. That’s why I often recommend a calcium score screening or vascular screening to look for plaque in the heart arteries. Therefore, look for early signs of plaque within the carotid arteries. Subcutaneous I think these can tell a very important story. Not just the clinical exam, but the person sitting in front of you as well. And this is also a way to personalize risk stratification techniques.

Rebecca Thomas: Last question. Let’s talk about heart attacks and heart attack symptoms. Because heart attacks are or can be different for men and women.

Dr. Vivek Goswami: Certainly it is possible. So when we talk about the traditional symptoms of heart disease, I think it’s often referred to as chest discomfort, and it’s often described as a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the center of the chest. Often it can radiate to the left arm or jaw. May cause shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms often worsen with exercise and relieve with rest. These are very typical signs of a heart attack. Elephant sitting on the chest. And, as you said, unfortunately, women often have very subtle or atypical signs and symptoms of heart disease. Therefore, women may experience isolated back pain, discomfort in the throat, fatigue, simple shortness of breath, and simple nausea. Therefore, symptoms may be atypical or subtle. And you may not be fully aware of that and the risks, which can delay all-important treatment. And this is believed to be one of many theories why women experience worse symptoms when they have a heart attack compared to men.

Rebecca Thomas: Okay. So, if you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

Dr. Vivek Goswami: That is correct.

Rebecca Thomas: All right, Dr. Goswami, thank you so much for sharing your time and your expertise with us tonight.