OverSixty April 2023 Digital

ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU 12 LIVEWELL pecially in female patients. “Inmy 25 years of practice, people on the verge of a heart attack report feeling tired and not able to do their usual activities,” says Dr Rosen. During a heart attack, blood %ow to the heart is reduced. "is puts extra stress on the muscle, which is a reason this feeling of exhaustion can occur. If you’re feeling fatigued, tell your doctor. "ey will decide if an electrocardiogram (EKG), which checks heart activity – or another heart test – is necessary. Soreness in the back, arms, or chest Noticeable soreness in the back, chest, or ei- ther arm – not only the left – is often a sign of a silent heart attack. Because the pain is often not accompanied by the chest heaviness typ- ically associated with a heart attack, people often tend to ignore it, Dr Rosen explains. "e pain may feel like a pulled or sore muscle or ache, as if you slept on it wrong. It may also come and go or remain constant. To be safe, if the pain is something new and isn’t going away, you should talk to your doctor about it, even if it’s a body part that isn’t usually associated with the heart, she says. Pain during exercise A commonly overlooked symptom of a heart attack is pain – again, around the chest, arms, shoulders or back – that only comes on dur- ing exercise, says Dr Liu. Apartial blockage inyour coronary arteries can limit blood %ow to your heart, causing a feeling of weakness andpain, Dr Liu says."e pain may stop when you stop exercising, as the heart doesn’t need as much blood %ow, or it may continue even during rest. Both can be concerning signs of heart disease – but, Dr Liu suggests, the former may suggest a heart attack has already occurred; while the latter may mean one is imminent. Unusual shortness of breath If a %ight of stairs is usually no problem but suddenly you !nd yourself gasping for air at the top, it could signal a heart attack. “Wom- en especially tell me they noticed feeling fa- tigued or breathless while walking up steps or carrying groceries when they normally wouldn’t,” says Dr Rosen. Insomnia or waking gasping for air If you wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air or feel short of breath right after waking up, that’s also a sign that some- thing could be wrong, says cardiologist, Dr Annapoorna Kini. Blocked blood %ow to the heart could men and 25 grams for women, according to www.healthdirect.gov.au . In your 70s: Ramp up vitamin D Ardolino says vitamin D is an under-con- sumed nutrient for seniors."is is a problem, as after age 70, vitamin D needs jump from 15 to 20 micrograms per day, she adds. Peo- ple needmore vitaminD as they age because the skin doesn’t synthesise it as e#ciently, people spend more time indoors, and we tend to eat less as we age, according to Ar- dolino. Fatty !sh, red meat and foods forti- !ed with vitamin D are good dietary choices, but supplements may sometimes be needed. ALYSSA JUNG LIVE WELL I t’s possible when you think of heart attack symptoms, you imagine an excruciating, chest-clenching sensation. However, health authorities suggest that in a remarkable number of cases, this tell-tale pain may not be what an individual actually experiences. In fact, the Australia’s Heart Research Institute estimates that of the 57,000 heart attacks that occur in Australia each year, 15 per cent of these are ‘silent’ heart attacks. A silent heart attack is accompanied by relatively mild symptoms or none at all. "e damage is done but an individual is not aware of it. Obviously,thismakesitessentialtoidentify possible silent heart attack symptoms as soon as possible. "at’s because the quicker you get treatment, the more likely you are to survive without permanent damage to your heart muscle. We spoke with cardiologists and other heart health experts who share the subtle symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. EMILY DINUZZO LIVE WELL In your 50s: Focus on protein and vitamin D In addition to a decreased metabolic rate and possible bone loss, women experienc- ing hormonal changes are at risk of losing muscle mass. To protect themselves is a real balancing act. Registered dietitian and nu- tritionist Malina Linka Malkani says women should meet the increased requirements for vitaminD (600 IUper day), calcium(1200mg per day), and protein (roughly 1g per pound of body weight) while staying within kilo- joule requirements to prevent weight gain. Silent symptoms of a heart attack Diet changes to make each decade a$ect your breathing because the heart plays a key role in transporting oxygen to the rest of your body and removing carbon dioxide from tissues. Heartburn or belching If you have an occasional heartburn %are- up after a heavy lunch, it may be nothing to worry about. But if it’s out of the ordinary – or if heartburn has never bothered you before – Dr Liu suggests you should call your doctor. Angina, a heartburn-like chest pain, is caused by lack of blood %ow to the heart that can signal a heart attack. Stomach upset Heart attack symptoms can sometimesmim- ic stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, or overall gastrointestinal upset – especially in women, says Dr Rosen. “If you don’t feel well, always call your doctor. It could be that taco you had at 10pm but it could also be a heart attack,” she says. An overall feeling that something’s wrong For those days when you just feel ‘o$,’ pay attention to what else your body might be trying to tell you. “Heart attack patients have told me they have a feeling of doom – like something’s just not right,” says cardiolo- gist, Dr Stacey E. Rosen. “Listen to that little voice,” Dr Rosen suggests. “If something feels o$, it’s always better to be overly cautious and call a doctor.” In addition, Dr Rosen reports that some of her patients have reported feeling “less mentally sharp” right before a heart attack. Feeling of being hugged tightly Heart attack chest pain is often classically described as sharp, stabbing, or even a dull ache. However, sometimes a heart attack may feel more like pressure and heaviness on your chest, or like you’re being squeezed tightly, says cardiologist, Dr Jim Liu. Fatigue Dr Rosen observes fatigue is one of the most common signs of a heart attack she sees, es- Folate and iron needs drop after menopause, so Malkani recommends checking in with a registered dietitian who can help make the appropriate recommendations when it comes to diet and potential supplements. In your 60s: Focus on fibre Adequate !bre intake is important during all stages of life, but registered nutritionist Alys- sa Ardolino says it is increasingly essential for those at risk of a cardiovascular event – like people in their 60s. “Fibre helps lower cho- lesterol and improve digestion, so it should be regularly included in your diet,” she says. "e suggested intake is 30 grams a day for LIVE WELL Heart attack symptoms aren’t always obvious. Be on the lookout for these more subtle sensations Photo: Getty Images While some heart attack signs are obvious, there are more subtle symptoms that can be easy to miss Healthy eating and proper nutrient balance is key for all decades of life, but after your 50s there are some speci!c dietary requirements you should be including Mini debrillator now available Australians will be first in the world to access CellAED, a personal mini defibrillator The size of a block of chocolate and a fraction of the cost of standard AEDs, the Aussie invention CellAED is making life-saving technology much more readily available. In Australia, more than 25,000 people die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest each year and on average, only 9 per cent of its victims survive. Defibrillation within the first three minutes can increase the chance of survival to over 70 per cent. Winner of the 2022 European Product Design Award for Life Science Design, CellAED’s easy Snap, Peel, Stick action is able to be used in seconds. Designed to get into as many homes, businesses and communities as possible, CellAED can be purchased at www.cellAED.io for $349. In your 80s+: Fill your plate with Omega-3-rich foods In addition tomore vitamin D, protein, calci- um and !bre, people in their 80s should also focus on eating enough Omega-3 fatty acids, the essential nutrient found in fatty !sh like salmon and tuna. Consuming enough of these essential nutrients could reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cognitive decline.