One of the best ways to prevent future heart conditions is knowing what can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
Everything you do, every place you’ve been, everyone you know make you uniquely you. At Kaiser Permanente, we celebrate our patients’ and members’ individuality. Because we’re all different, we’re all susceptible to different health conditions. With heart disease and strokes causing more deaths in the United States than all forms of cancer combined, it’s important to know your risk of future heart conditions.
Columbus Batiste, MD, regional chief of cardiology for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, says education is the first step in taking better care of your heart. People who smoke, sleep poorly, experience high levels of stress, eat poorly, and have health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are at an increased risk of poor heart health. Your family’s medical history also plays a role in your health.
“If you have a family history of heart attacks or strokes it is especially important for you to know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and keep them at healthy levels,” said Dr. Batiste.
“If you have a new symptom that is persistent and can’t be explained, seek advice or care from a health care professional, especially if it feels painful or even makes you uncomfortable." Columbus Batiste, MD, regional chief of cardiology, Kaiser Permanente Southern California
Dr. Batiste also encourages everyone to know the signs of heart issues, such as chest pain or pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; nausea and stomach pain; and feeling weak or tired. Symptoms of heart problems can vary, and the same symptoms can also signal other conditions, such as heartburn or anxiety. Dr. Batiste recommends paying close attention to your body so you can recognize changes.
“If you have a new symptom that is persistent and can’t be explained, seek advice or care from a health care professional, especially if it feels painful or even makes you uncomfortable,” said Dr. Batiste.
Because men were historically the focus of most heart research, many symptoms women experience are not as widely known or recognized. The most common sign of a heart attack in both men and women is chest pain, but women are more likely to experience other symptoms as well, such as dizziness, nausea, tiredness, and back discomfort. Researchers have also found that women are more prone than men are to develop certain stress-induced heart conditions.
“About 45% of women over the age of 20 have heart disease, and fewer than 50% of pregnant women have good heart health. I encourage all my patients — especially women and others with risk factors — to pay close attention to their health. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor if you notice any changes,” said Dr. Batiste.
If you think you are experiencing a heart attack or stroke, call 911 or have someone drive you to the hospital. Don’t attempt to drive yourself, as driving during an emergency threatens your safety and the safety of others. If you don’t have allergies or other reasons not to, take some aspirin as well.
Educating yourself on risks factors, emergency situations, and heart health can help prevent heart conditions before they occur.
A Kaiser Permanente doctor and researcher shares the simple changes you …
Talk with your family about their medical conditions. What you learn could …
A father's determination to stay healthy for his 3 children led him to …
An interview with Kaiser Permanente sleep expert Clarisse Glen, MD, sheds …
A Kaiser Permanente physician thought he pinched a nerve during a tennis …
Endless bad news is just one fingertip away online. One Kaiser Permanente …
A Kaiser Permanente radiologist answers commonly asked questions.
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Donna Budway received prompt surgery followed by chemotherapy. She credits …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
Chef Ann Foundation will use $275,000 grant for Colorado program to convert …
Kaiser Permanente is making waves this summer, ensuring that communities …
Delivering multiple babies is difficult, but Kaiser Permanente care teams …
Exceptional, personalized radiation oncology care helped Maura Craig treat …
Participate in a study to help uncover the causes of cancer and how to …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
Kaiser Permanente is committed to finding ways to help reduce falls in …
Some of the most common conditions affecting men carry a social stigma …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
For Sam Beeson, having a midwife at her side during her pregnancy helped …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
A new Kaiser Permanente facility in Bellflower, California, makes customized …
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative surgical recovery program helps breast cancer patients safely …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Research shows that marijuana use during pregnancy increases health risks …
CityHealth’s 2023 Annual Policy Assessment awards cities for their policies …
Tookie Gentilcore returns to enjoying life thanks to a quick, safe method …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
Cervical cancer is highly preventable. Learn how HPV vaccination and regular …
Our researchers are leading the way to more effective, affordable, and …
In Oregon, our stroke teams are providing patients with industry-leading …
Attendees look at ways to get healthy food to people who don’t have enough …
Learn how you can participate in a study to uncover what causes cancer …
A new care option offers a mix of in-person and virtual visits, supported …
Dr. Yong Shin shares how people with heart disease can live longer, while …
The use of a ventricular assist device implant gives one Oregon woman the …
Our Advanced Care at Home program provides high-quality, safe care in familiar …
It’s never too late to quit smoking. At Kaiser Permanente, we can help …
A team of specialists treats an expecting mother’s cancer while keeping …
Joy Short, a Kaiser Permanente member and employee, turned her breast cancer …
Fit and focused, an Oregon father and runner rebounds after an aortic valve …
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Kaiser Permanente’s adoption of disruptive technology in the 1970s sparked …
Excessive heat and pollution can increase your risk of experiencing dangerous …
Stories in the Department of Research & Evaluation 2022 Annual Report demonstr …
Kaiser Permanente is at the forefront of cervical cancer research. Find …
A Kaiser Permanente cardiologist shares advice on how to stay safe, what …
Students should study up on their care options to ace their school experience. …
After a diagnosis for a rare type of blood cancer, Marla Marriott got high-qua …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Fay Gordon's breast cancer was caught in the early stages thanks to genetic …
Chemotherapy can be an option during pregnancy. Find out how Kaiser Permanente …
A Kaiser Permanente plastic surgeon explains breast reconstruction options …
Our members are more likely to feed their babies breast milk. And they’re …
It’s important to be proactive about your health by scheduling regular …
Take time to adjust to a new baby and lifestyle changes — and reach out …
Tips for preventing sunburn and decreasing the risk of skin cancer.
A reminder that men and women can assert control over risk factors that …
Thanks to personalized care from a team of skilled doctors, Christina McAmis …
Kaiser Permanente member Debbie Hoisch encourages people to know the warning …
After experiencing a stroke, K-9 handler Lameka Bell regained near-total …
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …
When thousands of women industrial workers, often called “Rosies,” joined …
Gestational diabetes poses a significant risk to women of color, particularly …
Remote perinatal monitoring and frequent in-person appointments helped …
Kaiser Permanente launches new mobile health vehicle on Oahu.
Learn why early screening is crucial for prevention and treatment.
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
From avid snowboarder to chronically ill patient. How Kaiser Permanente …
Hawaii community vaccination team’s pop-up events with COVID-19 and flu shots.
A sleep expert shares 4 practical tips for coping with the time shift and …
Almost 16 million people in the United States have chronic obstructive …
New research shows blood pressure patterns early in pregnancy can identify …
School-based flu vaccination clinics made it safe and convenient for students …
Kaiser Permanente study of 3.7 million adults provides support for strengtheni …
Project Nurture in Portland, Oregon, provides treatment and a path forward …
When a Kaiser Permanente member discovered she had an irregular heartbeat …
Proactive flu prevention outreach in Downey, California.
When a stroke happens, minutes matter, and Kaiser Permanente treats strokes …
CityHealth recognizes Denver for its leadership in supporting policies …
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
We’re different than other health plans, and that’s how we think health …
When Rong Fang had a life-threatening heart attack, specialists at 2 Kaiser …
New care option offers pregnant patients a mix of in-person and video visits.
By lending a hand with dinners, diapers, and dishes, you can give loved …
By reaching out early and providing care that’s personalized to parents’ …
She wanted relief from pain and a healthy baby. Her care team delivered.
Connect for Cancer Prevention Study’s goal to recruit 200,000 participants …
You can make this healthy, holiday-worthy dessert any time of year!
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …