Summer is here! It’s time to enjoy pool parties, outdoor barbecues, trips to the beach, picnics in the park and tons of other fun outdoor activities that The Villages® and the surrounding community have to offer. When spending time outside, especially in Florida, we have to be careful about sun exposure, heat exhaustion and water safety. Below you will find tips and resources to help you protect your skin while also staying cool and safe this summer.

July is National Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month

The days are getting longer and the sun is burning brighter. It’s important to protect your skin. July is National Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month and we are spreading the word about the importance of shielding your skin from harmful UV rays.

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Sun

1. Stay in the Shade: Avoid or limit your time spent in the direct sunlight. The sun is strongest from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. During these hours, find a comfortable spot in the shade to relax.
2. Apply Sunscreen: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a sunscreen that is water-resistant, has an SPF of 30 or higher and provides broad-spectrum coverage. It takes 15 minutes for sunscreen to soak into your skin, so make sure you apply it before going outside. It is also important to re-apply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you are sweating or swimming.
3. Wear Protective Clothing: Many of us don’t want to wear long-sleeved shirts or pants in the summer, but covering your skin can help protect it from the dangerous UV rays. Try wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt. Thin cottons and linens are the most comfortable fabrics during these hot summer months.
4. Accessorize: Hats are a great way to protect your face, neck and ears from getting too much sun. Sunglasses are also a great resource to protect your eyes from UV damage. Look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays.

Screen Your Skin for Changes

It is recommended to look at your skin consistently to see if you notice any new marks, moles or birthmarks. You want to look for changes in color, shape and size. Some may feel different and feel like they are raised. If you have a mark that you are concerned about, talk with your Primary Care physician. If they find something out of the ordinary, they can also provide treatment, or in more serious cases coordinate your care with a Dermatologist.

Attend our Free Skin Cancer Prevention Class

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Join us for our Skin Cancer Prevention class to learn effective strategies to lower your risk while still enjoying the Florida sunshine! You don’t have to be a patient or resident to attend, so bring your friends.

Belleview
Tuesday, July 17 at 2:00 PM
Register Now

Santa Barbara
Thursday, July 26 at 9:00 AM
Register Now

Beware of Heat Strokes

Do you tend to get overheated? This is common, especially during these hot summer months in Florida. We have to be careful not to let our bodies get too hot. When your body reaches an extremely high temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you can be more susceptible to having a heat stroke. Heat strokes are the most serious form of heat injury. Some signs and symptoms include: nausea, rapid breathing, headaches and more. We don’t want you to have a heat stroke, so here are some tips to prevent them:

• Drink Plenty of Fluids: Staying hydrated will allow your body to sweat and maintain a normal body temperature. Dehydration is a common cause of heat strokes so make sure you are drinking a lot of water! The Mayo Clinic recommends 124 ounces (15.5 cups) of fluid for men and 92 ounces (11.5 cups) of fluid for women.
• Avoid Strenuous Activities: During the hottest parts of the day, limit physical activities. If you are exercising outdoors, plan to do it in the early morning or evening.
• Take Caution with Medications: Certain medications can affect your body’s ability to stay cool and hydrated. Read the warning labels to make sure you don’t have a higher risk for a heat related injury.

“Drink plenty of fluids, avoid prolonged exercise and activities outdoors when temps are greater than 85 degrees. Take frequent breaks and dress in comfortable, cool clothing.”
Dr. Uyen Nguyen, Colony Care Center

 

Water Safety Tips

Who likes to swim? Swimming is a great exercise that builds muscle and develops endurance. It also is a great way to cool down during these hot summer days! In order to help you stay safe while participating in water activities, here are some helpful safety resources:

• Wear Life Jackets: Many of us enjoy boating on the lake or in the ocean. When boating, it is always recommended to wear a life jacket. Even if you know how to swim, an emergency could happen that may impair your swimming ability. Just like you wear seatbelts in cars, make sure you wear life jackets on boats to ensure your safety.
• Be Aware of Surroundings and Warning Signs: Sometimes when you are at the beach you may notice the lifeguard has put up a red flag. This flag notifies you that swimming conditions are dangerous. Avoid swimming when strong currents and riptides are present.
• Know Your Limits: Swimming should be a fun activity, not stressful! Take a break if you are feeling tired while swimming.

One of the great things about living in Florida is that we have multiple bodies of water to swim in such as lakes, pools, rivers and oceans. Be safe and have fun out there!

As a society, we are fascinated by remedies and quick fixes that promise to slow the aging process so we can live longer, healthier lives. But what if you could do more than just slow the aging process? What if you could start to reverse it?

One of the most promising methodologies includes the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Dr. Shai Efrati, Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research in Israel, explored the concept of reverse aging. On July 2nd at the Lake Miona Regional Recreation Center in The Villages, Florida, he shared results from clinical studies conducted by his team demonstrating that the regeneration of brain tissue, and other important capabilities, is indeed possible.

Speaker:
Professor Shai Efrati, MD

• • Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center, Israel.
  • Director of the Research & Development unit, Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center, Israel.
  • Associate professor at the Sackler School of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University.
  • Chairmen of the Israeli Society for Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (ISDHM).

What You Don’t Hear Can Hurt You

Treating Hearing Loss is the Most Effective Way to Prevent Dementia and Promote Brain Health

Have you noticed you are turning up the TV?

Is it hard to hear your spouse?

Do you have trouble hearing in groups or at restaurants?

If yes, you may be suffering from hearing loss.

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 25 percent of people 65 to 74, and 50 percent of those 75 and older, have disabling hearing loss. Don’t wait, unaddressed hearing loss can have long-term, potentially devastating effects, beyond lifestyle issues.

A joint study by John Hopkins Medicine and the National Institute on Aging has released powerful data showing untreated hearing loss results in a higher incidence of early onset dementia. Dr. Turri, Director of Audiology at The Villages Health, says “The #1, single most modifiable factor for preventing Dementia is the treatment of hearing loss. Yes, reducing obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiovascular disease are important. It is also important to increase social activity, enhance our education and supplement our nutrition. These can all play a part in helping us to prevent Dementia; but none, even when combined, are nearly as effective as the treatment of hearing loss.”

Those findings further support the need for early detection and correction. “When patients delay treatment, brain function and cognitive ability can be impaired significantly from auditory deprivation,” says Dr. Turri.

Find Out if You Have a Hearing Loss

Take the quiz below to see if you may be suffering from hearing loss.

TAKE THE QUIZ 

Did you answer yes to the questions in the quiz? This may indicate that you are suffering from hearing loss.

The good news is that The Villages Health can help you overcome this obstacle.

Get a Free Hearing Screening

If you answered yes to most of the questions in the quiz and think you may suffer from hearing loss, your next step is to take a free hearing screening with a board-certified Audiologist. At The Villages Health, we have five board-certified audiologists conveniently located at seven different Care Centers throughout The Villages community.

If you fail a hearing screening, the doctor can take next steps during the screening.

Take a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation

The next step is to take a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation. This test examines your hearing threshold, speech discrimination and your air and bone conduction. These three types of hearing tests allow our audiologist to determine whether or not you have hearing loss, what type of hearing loss you may have and to what degree, and what type of treatment you may need.

One of our five board-certified Audiologists will explain your test results and discuss your treatment options, which may include hearing aids. They will find a hearing aid solution that works best for your personal needs, so you can restore your hearing and continue to enjoy an active lifestyle.

“I was very impressed with the honesty and integrity of my audiologist at The Villages Health. I came in with two hearing aids, and they discovered I only have hearing loss in one ear – and therefore, I only need one hearing aid.”
-Art Minier –Patient at Creekside Care Center

 

If you are a candidate for hearing aids, you can rest-assured that you will receive a risk-free, 30-day trial. This means you can try out your hearings aids to make sure you have the perfect fit before making a commitment.

After your trial, our audiology team will continue to follow up every 4 months to ensure you experience optimum hearing in all areas of your life. During this time we will clean your hearing aids, test them to make sure they are working properly and refit to your comfort level.

Hearing loss and gain changes over time, so we will continually assess and adjust your hearing aids. We want you to hear and experience everything at its best, from the TV in your living room and phone calls with grandchildren, to live entertainment on the square or the faint rustling of leaves.

Get Educated Before Making a Decision

Understanding the impact of hearing loss, as well as the many ways to treat hearing loss, can help you make an informed decision about your treatment. To that end, The Villages Health has implemented educational programs on the subject, along with a brain fitness program.

Our learning seminars include: Hearing Aids 101, Hearing Loss and Dementia and a Hearing Technology Expo. These resources are free for everyone in the community! You do not have to be patient or resident of The Villages to attend.

You can view the details of the classes and register below:

Hearing Aids 101

Pinellas Care Center
Thursday, June 7th
9:00-10:30 AM
Register Here 

Pinellas Care Center
Thursday, June 21st
9:00-10:30 AM
Register Here

Hearing Loss and Dementia

Pinellas Care Center
Thursday, June 14th
9:00-10:30 AM
Register Here 

Pinellas Care Center
Thursday, June 28th
10:00-11:30 AM
Register Here 

Hearing Technology Expo

Pinellas Care Center
Thursday, June 28th
2:00-3:30 PM
RSVP Here

Hearing loss is serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Don’t delay. Get in touch with us for more information at 352-205-4032.

How to Prevent Injuries While Living a Healthy, Active Lifestyle

Ease Into Your New Active Lifestyle

When you move to The Villages® and surrounding community it is such an exciting time. There is so much for you to do and explore. Your first reaction might be to jump in full force with new activities.

“I see a lot of patients who jump into their new active lifestyle too quickly and suffer injuries, like tendonitis or fractures,” says Dr. Sullivan, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Villages Health.

Dr. Sullivan recommends easing into a new active routine. “Don’t start with a full schedule right away. Ease into it.”

Limit Hard Workouts to 2-3 Times Per Week

“The active senior should be cautious not to overuse their body parts,” says Dr. Sullivan. “In the past, you might have been able to complete hard workouts 4-6 times per week, but you may need to start limiting them to 2-3 times per week.”

Integrate Moderate to Light Exercises on Off Days

You can integrate lighter workouts on your off days for an active rest. “Tai chi and core exercises are great for keeping your strength and balance,” says Dr. Sullivan.

Those line dances in the square aren’t just for entertainment, they are also great for active recovery.

Don’t Forget to Rest In Between Workouts

As you get older, your body doesn’t repair as quickly as it used to. That means extensive exercise can be tough on your body. “You need to give your body a chance to rest and recover in between workouts,” says Dr. Sullivan. “Listen to your body.”

Talk to Your Doctor About Pain or Injuries

If you experience consistent pain during or after a workout, or suffer from an injury, you may need to consult an orthopaedic specialist.

“We recommend talking to your primary care doctor first, and he or she will recommend next steps,” says Dr. Sullivan.

The orthopaedic specialists at The Villages Health are here to help, from tendinitis to sprains and fractures; we’ve got you covered. If you are interest in learning more about our service, please call 352-205-4032.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Six Ways to Achieve Your Fitness Goals in May

Did you know that regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life? It also reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, some types of cancer and many other chronic conditions.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, so there is no better time to get moving! The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults:

• Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, like walking fast, dancing, swimming and raking leaves.
• Do muscle-strengthening activities, like lifting weights or using exercise bands – at least 2 days a week.

Here are six ways you can rise to challenge and live a healthier, active life.

1. Register for a Body Composition Analysis Screening

Many of us focus on our weight as a key indicator for a healthy body, but that is only one piece of the puzzle. A full body composition analysis will show you how much of your weight is made up of fat, water, muscle, bone or body mass – and compare it to healthy levels for your age and gender.

During a free body composition analysis, in less than 10 seconds you will receive a print out of your weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, fat mass, fat free mass and hydration level. One of our friendly representatives will help you interpret the data and provide advice for improving or maintaining a healthy composition.

Body composition analyses are open to the public. You do not have to be a patient or a resident of The Villages to participate. You can walk-in during a scheduled screening time and do not need to make an appointment.

May Walk-In Screening Times

Belleview Care Center
5052 SE 110th St.
Tuesday, May 22nd from 9:30 to 11:30 AM

Mulberry Care Center
8877 SE 165th Mulberry Ln.
Tuesday, May 29th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

To find other classes and learning opportunities, please visit our Learning Center.

Not permitted for those with implanted electric devices (pacemakers, etc) or pregnancy.

2. Register for a free Seminar or Boot Camp

Whether you’re currently a couch potato or a fitness fanatic, the Exercise and Physical Activity seminar will provide you with resources to round out your exercise program and stay focused on your goals.

The Healthy Weight Loss Boot Camp is an intensive two-hour session, learn successful healthy weight loss strategies including exercise, nutrition and healthy eating out.

All of our courses are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient or be a resident of The Villages to attend, so please remember to bring a friend.

To register, please visit our Learning Center.

Healthy Weight Loss Boot Camp
In this intensive two-hour session, learn successful healthy weight loss strategies including exercise, nutrition and healthy eating out.

Colony Care Center
Tuesday, May 15th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Register Now >>

4. Get to Know Our Orthopaedic Team

Living with pain can be frustrating, especially when you are trying to live a healthy, active lifestyle. From sprained ankles to knee replacements, we’ve got you covered head to toe!

We have four highly trained, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons and a skilled team dedicated to heal you quickly so you can enjoy your lifestyle.

We are starting to do a lot of things since my hip surgery. Thee limitations are going away rapidly. I’m able to golf. Now it’s going to be the fun years. Start living life!

Thomas Karpinski, Villager

Learn More >>

5. Prevent Injuries by Exercising Safely

As you get older, your body doesn’t repair as quickly as it used to. That means extensive exercise can be tough on your body.

“I see a lot of patients who jump into their new active lifestyle too quickly and suffer injuries, like tendonitis or fractures,” says Dr. Sullivan, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Villages Health.

Dr. Sullivan recommends easing into a new active routine. “Don’t start with a full schedule right away. Limit hard workouts to 2-3 times per week, and give you’re your body a chance to rest and recover in between.”

6. Get a Bone Density Scan

A bone density scan is a great way to measure the strength of your bones and determine your risk for fractures. These scans are highly recommended for women over the age of 55, especially those with a risk of osteoporosis and for men and women on certain medications or conditions.

Your primary care doctor can determine your need for a bone density scan

If you are an existing patient, please call your care center. If you are a new patient, you can learn more by calling 352-205-4032.

With these six tips you are now empowered to reach your fitness goals! Keep on moving!

Get Moving in May with These FREE Fitness Resources!

Who says getting older means slowing down? The Villages® offers so many opportunities to have fun and stay active, and we want to help you enjoy every minute. May is National Physical Fitness month, so join us for a class on exercise and physical activity.

All resources are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient or a resident of The Villages to attend. So don’t forget to invite a friend.

Exercise and Physical Activity
Whether you’re currently a couch potato or a fitness fanatic, this seminar will provide you with resources to round out your exercise program and stay focused on your goals.

Belleview Care Center
Wednesday, May 16th at 8:30 AM
Register Now >>

Creekside Care Center
Friday, May 18th at 10:00 AM
Register Now >>

Colony Care Center
Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:30 AM
Register Now >>

5 Fitness & Exercise Tips for Active Seniors

How to Prevent Injuries While Living a Healthy, Active Lifestyle

Ease Into Your New Active Lifestyle

When you move to The Villages® and surrounding community it is such an exciting time. There is so much for you to do and explore. Your first reaction might be to jump in full force with new activities.

“I see a lot of patients who jump into their new active lifestyle too quickly and suffer injuries, like tendonitis or fractures,” says Dr. Sullivan, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Villages Health.

Dr. Sullivan recommends easing into a new active routine. “Don’t start with a full schedule right away. Ease into it.”

Limit Hard Workouts to 2-3 Times Per Week

“The active senior should be cautious not to overuse their body parts,” says Dr. Sullivan. “In the past, you might have been able to complete hard workouts 4-6 times per week, but you may need to start limiting them to 2-3 times per week.”

Integrate Moderate to Light Exercises on Off Days

You can integrate lighter workouts on your off days for an active rest. “Tai chi and core exercises are great for keeping your strength and balance,” says Dr. Sullivan.

Those line dances in the square aren’t just for entertainment, they are also great for active recovery.

Don’t Forget to Rest In Between Workouts

As you get older, your body doesn’t repair as quickly as it used to. That means extensive exercise can be tough on your body. “You need to give your body a chance to rest and recover in between workouts,” says Dr. Sullivan. “Listen to your body.”

Talk to Your Doctor About Pain or Injuries

If you experience consistent pain during or after a workout, or suffer from an injury, you may need to consult an orthopaedic specialist.

“We recommend talking to your primary care doctor first, and he or she will recommend next steps,” says Dr. Sullivan.

The orthopaedic specialists at The Villages Health are here to help, from tendinitis to sprains and fractures; we’ve got you covered. If you are interest in learning more about our service, please call 352-205-4032.

You Can Make a Difference for Your Family and Community
It brings tremendous peace of mind to know that your health care wishes will be respected in the event that you can’t speak for yourself.

To help you and your loved ones find that peace, you’re invited to attend our special presentation by Cornerstone Hospice, Five Wishes: Advanced Care Directives.

This hour-long class will teach you about America’s most popular living will, how to structure important care conversations with loved ones, and plan for end-of-life care.

Class Schedule

April 2, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Mulberry Grove Care Center
Register Now >>

April 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Colony Care Center
Register Now >>

April 25, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Creekside Care Center
Register Now >>

May 3, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Now >>

Ensure that the wishes of you and your loved ones are carried out in times of serious illness.

These resources are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient or a resident of The Villages to attend. So don’t forget to invite a friend.

You can explore more resources by visiting the Learning Center.

Free Resources to Promote Your Brain Health

April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The Association of Parkinson’s is urging everyone to “Start a Conversation” with friends, family, neighbors, health care teams, local businesses and community leaders.

Naturally we thought it would be a great time to start a discussion of our own surrounding brain health. So this month, we have set out to promote brain health and to discuss several ways you can keep your mind sharp and active.

1. Register for a Memory Screening

Early Detection of Memory Loss is Critical to Long-Term Brain Health

We know that memory loss is a top concern for many of us as we get older. You may be afraid of having difficulty interacting in social situations, or even worse, not recognizing your family members as you get older.

We don’t want you to be afraid of anything. That is why we offer memory screenings to you, and highly encourage these screenings for everyone over the age of 60.

A memory screening is the first step to identify if you have a memory problem. A screening will either reassure you that your memory is in tiptop shape or, if we detect a problem, indicate the need for further treatment to prevent further damage.

Early detection of memory loss is critical since it may indicate much greater issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is no cure to this disease, treatments are available to slow the progression of the disease. There is ongoing, active research to find a cure so one day they will be able to enjoy a higher quality of life as long as possible.

If you are concerned about your memory and/or have noticed changes in you memory, we encourage you to have a memory screening. Memory screenings are free to all members of the community. You do not have to be a patient to have a screening. You can schedule a screening by calling 352-674-1779.

2. Learn About Our Neurology Services

The Diagnosis, Management & Treatment of Neurological Disorders

In the event you experience symptoms, such as excessive headaches, facial pain, memory loss or a stroke – after consulting with one of our Primary Care Physicians, you may need to consult with Dr. John Castaldo, our American Board Certified Neurologist.

Dr. Castaldo and his team can diagnose brain issues, and provide treatment plans that stabilize and/or minimize symptoms while offering relief as quickly as possible. His team commonly diagnoses, treats, and manages common conditions, but also has the expertise to provide care for complex and rare neurological disorders.

Common Conditions

• Headache and Facial Pain
• Memory Disorders
• Stroke
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Parkinson and Movement Disorder
• Essential Tremor
• Gait Ataxia
• Seizure Disorder
• Neck and Back Pain
• Muscle Disorder, Including ALS, Myasthenia, and Myopathy

For more information about our neurology services, please visit TheVillagesHealth.com/specialty-services/neurology/

3. Attend the Free “Effective Communication and Dementia” Class

Strategies and Tips for Successful Communication with Loved Ones

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, memory loss or any other decline in mental abilities – it is truly a scary time for you and your family.

We want you to know that there is hope and we have resources that will help prepare you for the journey ahead. The Learning Center offers a free course titled, “Effective Communication and Dementia”, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association of North and Central Florida, to provide helpful tips and strategies for successful communication with loved ones suffering from dementia.

All of our courses are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient to attend, so please remember to bring a friend.

April Classes

Tuesday, April 10 at 1:00 PM
Mulberry Grove Care Center
Register Now >>

Tuesday, April 10 at 3:00 PM
Belleview Care Center
Register Now >>

Wednesday, April 25 at 3:00 PM
Colony Care Center
Register Now >>

You can view all upcoming courses at TheVillagesHealth.com/learning-center.

Fuel Your Active Lifestyle in The Villages®

Did you know the food choices you make every day impact the way you feel and perform? That’s right. What you eat impacts that golf swing more than you know! In honor of National Nutrition Month, we are offering 12 free courses to help you develop sound eating habits and fuel your active lifestyle here in The Villages®.

Classes include “The Fundamentals of Nutrition,” “Healthy Eating Out,” “Exercise and Physical Activity” and our brand-new class titled “Go Further with Food,” an interactive session that will show you how to meal prep for an entire week using healthy, delicious recipes.

“By preparing foods in advance to enjoy throughout the week, we can ensure that we’re getting the nutrients we need each day to fuel our active lifestyles here in The Villages®,” says Kristen Curtis, MS, RD, LDN, a Registered Dietitian for The Villages Health. “But it’s also a way to make sure we’re making good use of every dollar, and not wasting resources. It makes healthy eating a lot more affordable!”

All of our classes are free for the entire community. You don’t have to be a patient to attend, so remember to register both you and a friend online today.

12 Free Nutrition Courses in March

Go Further with Food
Thursday, March 15th at 1 PM
Pinellas Care Center
Register Online >>

Tuesday, April 3rd at 1 PM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Online >>

Healthy Eating Out
Wednesday, March 3rd at 1 PM
Belleview Care Center
Register Online >>

Monday, March 12 at 8:30 AM
Mulberry Grove Care Center
Register Online >>

Tuesday, March 20th at 10 AM
Colony Care Center
Register Online >>

Fundamentals of Nutrition
Wednesday, March 7 at 2:30 PM
Belleview Care Center
Register Online >>

Thursday, March 8 at 3:30 PM
Santa Barbara Care Center
Register Online >>

Tuesday, March 13 at 8:30 AM
Colony Care Center
Register Online >>

Wednesday, March 21 at 1 PM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Online >>

Exercise and Physical Activity
Thursday, March 8 at 2 PM
Santa Barbara Care Center
Register Online >>

Wednesday, March 14 at 1 PM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Online >>

If you are unable to attend a class in March, don’t worry. We offer courses all year long. You can check the most current schedule online at https://thevillageshealth.com/learning-center/.

Do you know the warning signs?

February 2nd was “Wear Red Day” to raise awareness for women’s heart health. This is an important reminder that heart disease is not just prevalent among men, but also among women. In fact, it is the number one cause of death among both men and women in the U.S.

“There has been an increase in awareness recently that heart disease is the #1 cause of death in postmenopausal women,” says Robert Herman, MD, FACP, FACC, a cardiologist at The Villages Health Specialty Care Center. “We have seen an increasing number of women seek care and treatment in our cardiology clinics over the past few years for symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease.”

Here are 11 red flags that could signal a heart attack in women:

1. Breathing Difficulties – Shortness of breath is a common and very frightening precursor to a heart attack if you’re a woman. It may come on suddenly and without warning (i.e., not following physical activity), for no apparent reason. Imagine gasping for air like you’ve just run up a few flights of stairs, but when you’re sitting stationary.
2. Heavy Perspiration – You might break out into a cold-clammy sweat when you have to present at a company meeting. However, many women suffering a heart attack start perspiring without any stressors present. The problem is that women often mistake this as a hot flash or blame it on their menstrual cycle.
3. Disrupted Sleep – Women who’ve suffered a heart attack often recall waking up in the middle of a deep sleep unable to catch their breath. This form of sleep apnea can occur during a heart attack, compressing the upper airway and robbing the heart of essential blood flow.
4. Exhaustion – We all experience exhaustion when we burn the candle at both ends—taking care of everyone else, but ourselves. Heart attacks are sneaky in this regard, zapping women of energy, even when they’ve been getting adequate sleep and eating right.
5. Stomach Cramps – Abdominal pain that is often shrugged off with the statement, “It must be something I ate!” often ends in a heart attack for unsuspecting women. So what you might brush off as heartburn or a nasty intestinal bug (i.e., food poisoning), may actually be a more sinister heart issue.
6. Sharp Upper Body Pain – While men may feel “the weight of an elephant” sitting on their chests—heart attacks for women often cause sharp pains in the upper body. It’s common for women to complain of sharp, shooting pain or dull, gradually mounting pain in the neck, upper arms, or jaw. Regardless, the pain can be so strong that it rouses you from sleep.
7. Jaw Pain – Although it is rare, a red flag for a heart attack is a sore jaw. This is because when there is a problem with our heart, the nerves in that general area react – which is why we feel pain in areas other than the direct area. But because the jaw is not located in the chest, it is often another overlooked symptom for heart-related problems.
8. Rapid Heart Rate – An intensely rushing heartbeat will commonly accompany feelings of intense anxiety and sweating in women suffering a heart attack. You might think you’re having an anxiety attack, because it strikes suddenly, your heart overexerting, during a non-stressful endeavor.
9. Chest Pain – While the crushing chest pain that men experience during a heart attack is less intense for women, chest pain can still occur leading up to and during a heart attack. Although instead of pain, women feel tight discomfort that is commonly described as a full feeling across the entire chest, not solely on the left side of the chest.
10. Nausea – Nausea can happen for many reasons and is not a common symptom or red flag that comes to mind when we think of heart attacks. However, nausea can occur a few days before having a heart attack. And because the heart attack doesn’t happen shortly after, it often just gets chalked up to what we ate.
11. Pain in Either Arm – Many of us have heard that when you are having a heart attack, you might feel a sharp pain in your left arm. Well for women, they can experience this sharp pain in either arm. So whether you feel a strong pain in one arm or the other, you should get it looked at immediately, especially when felt with other heart attack-related symptoms.

“Prevention of disease requires identifying and reducing reversible risk factors that we know contribute to the development of the disease. This means set goals to eliminate smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, check cholesterol levels and treat when abnormal, check blood pressure and treat when abnormal, and perform aerobic exercise several times per week,” says Dr. Herman.

If you experience any of the above symptoms that resolve within a few minutes, immediately call your care center (or medical provider) for assistance to guide you on next steps. If symptoms persist or worsen, immediately call 911.

To learn how to prevent a heart attack and other heart healthy tips, register to attend one of our free heart healthy courses.