46 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
Heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are diff erent, but often related
Within just eight days, Michael Adams,
a 59-year-old husband and father of two
from Moore, OK, suff ered a heart attack
and a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) - he
survived them both. Many think a heart
attack and SCA are the same, but they are
very diff erent. Recent heart attack victims
have a higher risk of SCA, but there are
life-saving treatment options available.
To make sense of Michael’s story, you
must fi rst understand the diff erence
between heart attack and SCA.
Th e diff erence between a heart attack
and sudden cardiac arrest
A heart attack is caused by a blockage
that stops blood fl ow to part of the heart,
causing damage to the heart muscle. A
heart attack suff erer will commonly experience
severe chest pain, but will usually
remain awake and able to call for help.
Unlike a heart attack, SCA happens without
warning. SCA occurs when a failure
of the heart’s electrical system triggers
a dangerously fast heartbeat - so fast
that it causes the heart to quiver or shake
instead of pumping blood to the body
and brain. Th is causes the individual to
suddenly lose consciousness. Th e most
eff ective treatment for SCA is an electrical
shock (known as “defi brillation”).
Without treatment, death from SCA can
occur within minutes.
Sudden cardiac arrest risk aft er a heart
attack
Michael’s story began with feelings of
tightness in his chest and shortness of
breath. While in church with his wife,
Donna, he noticed his vision began to
blur. He asked Donna to drive him to the
hospital, where he learned he had suffered
a heart attack.
Aft er placing stents in Michael’s arteries
to restore blood fl ow to the heart,
Michael’s cardiologist, Dr. Ryan Norris,
of the INTEGRIS Cardiovascular
Physicians in Oklahoma City, explained
that Michael’s heart function, or ejection
fraction, was weakened to only 30
percent. A normal ejection fraction is
55-70 percent. Michael was not out of the
woods yet.
According to the American Heart
Association, heart attacks increase the
risk for SCA. Th is is especially true when
the damage sustained by the heart muscle
during a heart attack reduces the ejection
fraction, as it did for Michael.
“For patients who have just experienced
a heart attack and have a reduced
heart function, the risk for sudden cardiac
arrest is highest in the fi rst 90 days of
their recovery,” explained Dr. Norris.
Treating sudden cardiac arrest during
heart attack recovery
Luckily for Michael, there are medical
devices available that can help protect
patients at risk of SCA. As part of
his recovery from the heart attack, Dr.
Norris prescribed a LifeVest® wearable
defi brillator.
Because SCA can happen at any time,
Michael was instructed to wear LifeVest
under his clothes day and night, only
taking it off for a short shower. Michael
accepted his wearable defi brillator and
wore it faithfully.
Just eight days later, Michael was
talking with a co-worker when his heart
suddenly spiked into a dangerously fast
rhythm. Without warning, he passed out.
He was experiencing SCA.
Within one minute, LifeVest detected
the dangerous heart rhythm and delivered
a treatment shock that restored his
heart’s normal rhythm.
“Survival of cardiac arrest is extremely
low outside of the hospital,” said Dr.
Norris. “Th e wearable defi brillator off ers
protection to patients we know are at risk
of sudden cardiac arrest, and for Michael,
it saved his life.”
Long-term protection for those at risk
Some patients’ hearts will heal and get
stronger aft er a heart attack. Others may
need to have long-term protection. In
Michael’s case, he went on to have a permanent
implantable defi brillator (commonly
known as an “ICD”) surgically
implanted in his chest. It will deliver
a defi brillation treatment should he ever
experience SCA again.
Aft er surviving a heart attack and SCA,
Michael is focused on living a healthier
lifestyle. “I want to be here for my family,”
said Michael. “I have more life to live
and more memories to make.”
While a heart attack and SCA are different,
a recent heart attack increases an
individual’s risk for SCA. If you or a loved
one has experienced a recent heart attack,
talk to your cardiologist about SCA and
the treatment options available for those
at risk.
Courtesy BPT
Embarrassing questions you’re too afraid to ask your gynecologist
It’s that time again. Th e dreaded gynecologist
appointment. Th ere’s nothing to
be afraid of because nothing shocks the
gyno. However, many women are reluctant
to ask the questions they want - and need
- answered.
You know, like that unpleasant odor and
itch aft er sex or your period? Believe it
or not, spilling the beans to your doctor
can calm your fears and get your problems
treated. In fact, if something serious
is going on, early diagnosis is critical.
A survey of 391 women conducted by the
Women’s Sexual Health Foundation found
that 72% of respondents are uncomfortable
talking to their gyno about “the sexy stuff ,”
and 73% would rather die than ask the doc,
“What’s up.”
Many women do not realize the vagina
is a delicate ecosystem that requires a
balanced environment to remain healthy;
and everyday events like menstruation,
sex and hormonal changes can throw off
that balance. Th e result can be an embarrassing
odor and discomfort. But, the solution
to maintaining a healthy pH balance
“down there” is as simple as a trip to the
drug store. Healthy pH (the vagina’s acidity
level) and benefi cial lactobacillus are the
keys to reducing the risk of vaginal issues.
A vaginal pH of 3.5 to 4.5 indicates that
there is a perfect amount of good bacteria
(lactobacilli) and no overgrowth of the bad
bacteria that can cause odor and irritation.
An elevated pH means that the healthy
fl ora of the vagina may struggle to survive,
while harmful bacteria thrive.
Here are a few of the most common
questions:
1. Sometimes I have an odor the morning
aft er sex. Why does it happen and what
can I do?
Don’t worry - you aren’t dirty and washing
with perfumed soap or douching won’t
help - it will only make it worse. Th is happens
because your vaginal pH has been
thrown out of balance. Th ink of your vagina
as a delicate ecosystem that needs to be
maintained at a pH of 3.5 to 4.5. Th e pH of
semen has a pH of 7.1 to 8, so, when introduced
to the vagina, an odor or itch can
occur, usually the morning aft er having
sex. Lots of women douche to feel clean
and fresh but water has a pH of 7. While it
might make you feel fresh for a short time
it won’t solve the problem. Here’s what you
can do:
• Over the counter, RepHresh Gel has been
clinically shown to restore normal vaginal
pH and eliminate odor without a prescription
as it bonds to the vaginal walls
and provides long-lasting support for up
to three full days
• Avoid douching unless you balance pH
aft erward. Try RepHresh Clean Balance.
• Don’t use feminine products that contain
deodorants or scented soaps
2. I have a lot of discharge and irritation,
but over-the-counter yeast medications
don’t work. What should I do?
Less than one-third of women who think
they have a yeast infection actually do. Two
thirds instead suff er from bacterial vaginosis
(BV), a proliferation of “bad” bacteria,
oft en caused by an unbalanced vaginal
pH. If you aren’t sure whether your symptoms
indicate BV or a yeast infection, see
your doctor before you apply any over-thecounter
treatment. Once BV is diagnosed,
a course of antibiotics is required to eliminate
the symptoms. Recurrence rates are
very high. Th e best way to prevent recurrent
BV is to maintain a normal vaginal pH
and keep yeast and bacteria balanced every
day. RepHresh Pro-B contains the strains
of probiotics that specifi cally promote vaginal
health to balance yeast and bacteria
every day. Pro-B contains Lactobacillus
rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri
RC-14, two clinically documented probiotic
lactobacilli specifi cally optimized for
vaginal health as opposed to a probiotic or
yogurt that supports immunity or digestion.
3. Is there anything I can use when I’m
traveling or at the offi ce for immediate
relief?
RepHresh Cooling Relief Vaginal Anti-
Itch Spray is for relief of odor and itch, on
the go. Th e unscented 2-in-1 spray contains
hydrocortisone, the No. 1 doctor-recommended
anti-itch ingredient, and has a
portable design that sprays in any orientation,
even upside-down for ease of use
any time.
Going to the gyno may not be top of the
list, but it should be right up there. If you
are nervous about the exam take your notes
and questions in with you so you don’t forget.
Talking about your anxieties can make
the rest of the appointment a piece of cake.
Courtesy BPT
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