I have spent more than 30 years in healthcare with one consistent mission: helping people sustain and improve their lives. That mission has guided my work across large pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurial startups, and academic institutions. It has shaped how I view innovation—not as a luxury, but as a necessity.

We often speak about healthcare innovation as if it exists in a vacuum. It does not. Innovation only matters if patients can access it, understand it, and afford it. Today’s system too often breaks that chain.

The U.S. healthcare system has evolved to prioritize risk management over prevention, short-term cost containment over long-term health, and utilization controls over patient outcomes. The consequences are real. Breakthrough therapies are delayed or denied. Preventive medicines are underused. Patients are left navigating complexity at the very moment they are most vulnerable.

However, innovation has repeatedly proven it can change the trajectory of disease—and lives—when it reaches patients.

Earlier in my career, I had the opportunity to help build Claritin into a household name. What made Claritin transformational was not just the molecule, but access. Non-sedating allergy relief allowed people to function—to work, learn, drive, and live daily life without compromise. We paired scientific innovation with brand-building, education, and emerging digital tools to enable patients to engage with their care in new ways. That experience taught me something enduring: innovation fails when it remains trapped behind complexity.

As digital channels emerged, I saw how virtual access could democratize care. Early online refill capabilities and digital front doors were not about marketing. They were about meeting patients where they were. Innovation is not only what happens in the lab; it is how solutions are delivered in the real world.

More recently, my work in cardiovascular and preventive medicine has reinforced this belief. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, yet preventive innovation often struggles most to gain access. When therapies reduce future heart attacks, strokes, and hospitalizations—but do not show immediate cost offsets within narrow budget windows—they face resistance. This is actuarial logic colliding with human biology.

But prevention works. Inflammation matters. Long-term risk reduction matters. Helping people avoid catastrophic events enables them to remain productive, engaged, and present in their lives and with their families. The value of that outcome is difficult to capture on a quarterly balance sheet, but it is undeniable.

Innovation also matters because healthcare is not static. Populations are aging. Chronic disease is rising. Demand for care will only increase. Without continued pharmaceutical innovation—new mechanisms, better tolerability, improved adherence—we risk managing decline rather than enabling vitality.

Critics often frame innovation and affordability as opposing forces. They are not. The real tension lies between short-term system incentives and long-term societal benefit. When access to effective therapies is delayed or denied, costs do not disappear. They shift—reappearing as hospitalizations, disability, lost productivity, and diminished quality of life.

I have worked inside large organizations, small startups, and everything in between. I have seen how difficult it is to bring a medicine from concept to patient—and how fragile that final step of access can be. That is why innovation must be paired with thoughtful policy, modernized reimbursement, and a patient-centered view of value.

Healthcare should not be about simply surviving longer. It should be about living better for longer. Medical innovation, particularly in pharmaceuticals, plays a central role in making that possible. Even in a system burdened by complexity and constraints, innovation remains one of our strongest tools for advancing healthcare.

After three decades, my belief has not changed: when science, access, and mission align, lives improve. That is worth fighting to achieve.

The post Medical Innovation Still Matters—Even When the System Makes It Hard appeared first on Medika Life.

But then I saw scary headlines proclaiming that the sweetener xylitol — in the gum that I am chewing as I write — is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death.

Here’s CNN:

“Common low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds.”

The Washington Post offered this take:

“Sugar substitute xylitol linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke.”

A recent study throws a wrench into the idea that sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol are universally healthy, natural sugar substitutes.

Before discussing the research findings, let’s briefly examine xylitol.

Sugar-Free Candy, Gum, Protein Bars & More

True story: I chewed on Xylitol-containing gum as I spied the striking headlines.

For years, xylitol has been a shining star in the sugar-free world.

Xylitol is touted for its low-calorie sweetness and dental benefits. You can find it in everything from sugar-free candy to gum to toothpaste.

New Study on Xylitol

But a new study throws a curveball . Could this seemingly healthy sweetener be linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death?

Hold off on tossing your sugar-free stash just yet.

This research follows a multi-step approach:

• Large-scale analysis (discovery cohort): Researchers began by examining blood samples from over 1,100 people undergoing heart evaluations. They were looking for interesting patterns related to how the body processes xylitol.
• Confirmation study (validation cohort): The investigators then used a more precise technique to confirm the initial findings in a separate group of over 2,100 people.
• Detailed lab studies: The researchers then conducted experiments using human blood components and animal models to understand better how xylitol might affect blood clotting.
• Direct impact study: Finally, a small group of healthy volunteers consumed xylitol to assess its effects on their blood clotting function directly.

This multi-pronged approach helped the scientists understand how xylitol interacts with the body and its potential impact on heart health.

Human Study Findings

This research explores a potential link between xylitol, a common sugar substitute, and heart health.

• Step 1: Finding a Clue: The study began by analyzing large groups of people’s blood (discovery cohort). They found that higher levels of a substance like xylitol seemed to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems over three years (major adverse cardiovascular events or MACE).
• Step 2: Confirming the Suspect: Next, they used a more precise method (stable isotope dilution) to confirm it was specifically xylitol, not similar molecules, linked to the increased risk (validation cohort).
• Step 3: Digging Deeper: Scientists then conducted lab experiments (mechanistic studies) to understand how xylitol might influence the body. They found that xylitol, at levels typically seen in the bloodstream after consumption, increased activity in cells involved in blood clotting. This phenomenon could potentially lead to a higher risk of blood clots forming.
• Step 4: Direct Test: Finally, they gave healthy volunteers a xylitol-sweetened drink and observed a rise in their blood levels and increased activity in those same clotting cells.

What Does All of This Mean?

This study suggests a possible link between xylitol and an increased risk of heart problems.

However, it’s important to note that this is a single study; more research is needed to confirm these findings.

It’s also important to remember that correlation doesn’t necessarily equal causation.

Just because high xylitol levels are linked with increased risk doesn’t necessarily mean xylitol itself caused the problem.

They can help you interpret this research in light of your health situation.

Xylitol may not be benign.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the study on xylitol sheds light on a potential link between this common sugar substitute and an increased risk of heart problems.

However, it’s important to approach these findings cautiously, as further research is needed to confirm the results.

As more research emerges, weighing the benefits of xylitol against its potential risks will be important, especially in individual health situations.

One more thing

Xylitol alert! This sweetener can be deadly for dogs.

Here’s a breakdown of the dangers:

• Rapid Blood Sugar Drop: Xylitol is processed differently by dogs than humans. It can cause a quick and severe drop in blood sugar levels.
• Symptoms: This drop can lead to vomiting, weakness, tremors, seizures, and even coma.
• Fast Action Needed: Quickly acting is crucial if you think your dog has ingested xylitol. Contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

Remember: Keep Xylitol products out of your dog’s reach. These products include sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, some medications, and other products that might contain it.

The post Is My Drink Plotting My Downfall? Xylitol Explained appeared first on Medika Life.

But then I saw scary headlines proclaiming that the sweetener xylitol — in the gum that I am chewing as I write — is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death.

Here’s CNN:

“Common low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds.”

The Washington Post offered this take:

“Sugar substitute xylitol linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke.”

A recent study throws a wrench into the idea that sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol are universally healthy, natural sugar substitutes.

Before discussing the research findings, let’s briefly examine xylitol.

Sugar-Free Candy, Gum, Protein Bars & More

True story: I chewed on Xylitol-containing gum as I spied the striking headlines.

For years, xylitol has been a shining star in the sugar-free world.

Xylitol is touted for its low-calorie sweetness and dental benefits. You can find it in everything from sugar-free candy to gum to toothpaste.

New Study on Xylitol

But a new study throws a curveball . Could this seemingly healthy sweetener be linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death?

Hold off on tossing your sugar-free stash just yet.

This research follows a multi-step approach:

• Large-scale analysis (discovery cohort): Researchers began by examining blood samples from over 1,100 people undergoing heart evaluations. They were looking for interesting patterns related to how the body processes xylitol.
• Confirmation study (validation cohort): The investigators then used a more precise technique to confirm the initial findings in a separate group of over 2,100 people.
• Detailed lab studies: The researchers then conducted experiments using human blood components and animal models to understand better how xylitol might affect blood clotting.
• Direct impact study: Finally, a small group of healthy volunteers consumed xylitol to assess its effects on their blood clotting function directly.

This multi-pronged approach helped the scientists understand how xylitol interacts with the body and its potential impact on heart health.

Human Study Findings

This research explores a potential link between xylitol, a common sugar substitute, and heart health.

• Step 1: Finding a Clue: The study began by analyzing large groups of people’s blood (discovery cohort). They found that higher levels of a substance like xylitol seemed to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems over three years (major adverse cardiovascular events or MACE).
• Step 2: Confirming the Suspect: Next, they used a more precise method (stable isotope dilution) to confirm it was specifically xylitol, not similar molecules, linked to the increased risk (validation cohort).
• Step 3: Digging Deeper: Scientists then conducted lab experiments (mechanistic studies) to understand how xylitol might influence the body. They found that xylitol, at levels typically seen in the bloodstream after consumption, increased activity in cells involved in blood clotting. This phenomenon could potentially lead to a higher risk of blood clots forming.
• Step 4: Direct Test: Finally, they gave healthy volunteers a xylitol-sweetened drink and observed a rise in their blood levels and increased activity in those same clotting cells.

What Does All of This Mean?

This study suggests a possible link between xylitol and an increased risk of heart problems.

However, it’s important to note that this is a single study; more research is needed to confirm these findings.

It’s also important to remember that correlation doesn’t necessarily equal causation.

Just because high xylitol levels are linked with increased risk doesn’t necessarily mean xylitol itself caused the problem.

They can help you interpret this research in light of your health situation.

Xylitol may not be benign.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the study on xylitol sheds light on a potential link between this common sugar substitute and an increased risk of heart problems.

However, it’s important to approach these findings cautiously, as further research is needed to confirm the results.

As more research emerges, weighing the benefits of xylitol against its potential risks will be important, especially in individual health situations.

One more thing

Xylitol alert! This sweetener can be deadly for dogs.

Here’s a breakdown of the dangers:

• Rapid Blood Sugar Drop: Xylitol is processed differently by dogs than humans. It can cause a quick and severe drop in blood sugar levels.
• Symptoms: This drop can lead to vomiting, weakness, tremors, seizures, and even coma.
• Fast Action Needed: Quickly acting is crucial if you think your dog has ingested xylitol. Contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

Remember: Keep Xylitol products out of your dog’s reach. These products include sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, some medications, and other products that might contain it.

The post Is My Drink Plotting My Downfall? Xylitol Explained appeared first on Medika Life.

On Monday night, I watched as Damar Hamlin had cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the football field. Medical personnel quickly shocked his heart back into a normal rhythm. Meanwhile, distraught players openly cried, and the National Football League (NFL) suspended the game.

In an early morning statement the following day, the Buffalo Bills organization reported that Hamlin’s “heartbeat was restored on the field” and that the football player was under sedation at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Just over three days later, Hamlin awakens and shows his brain function is intact:

Doctors: Hamlin shows’ substantial improvement buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is beginning to awaken.

Bills safety Damar Hamlin is beginning to awaken.

www.espn.com.

While the American football player is recovering, Dr. Timothy Pritts reminds us that Hamlin is critically ill. Thankfully, his neurological function appears to be intact. The 24-year-old is moving his hands and feet and communicates by writing (while unable to speak — he is still on a mechanical ventilator).

Hamlin’s first written communication upon awakening from his deep sedation-induced multiday sleep? He offered a note with this question: “Did we win?”

I love Dr. Pritts’ response: “The answer is yes, Damar, you won. You won the game of life.”

Cardiac arrest remains a public health crisis.

Sudden cardiac arrest is not uncommon and remains a public health crisis. The American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Statistics — 2022 Update shows the following:

There are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) annually in the U.S., nearly 90 percent of them fatal. That translates to nearly 1,000 individuals daily.

The survival to hospital discharge after emergency medical services (EMS)-treated cardiac arrest languishes at an unimpressive 10 percent.

Sports-related sudden cardiac arrest

Sports-related sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) represents the following percentages of SCA by age in Portland, Oregon (USA):

Two other important observations:

• The sudden cardiac death incidence during youth sport participation is approximately 1.83 deaths per 10 million athlete years.
• Pre-participation screening of 5,169 middle and high school students (with an average age of 13) from 2010 showed high-risk cardiovascular conditions in approximately 1.5 percent.
• Recent research indicates the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in children in the USA is 23,514.

Covid-19 pandemic and cardiac events

You may wonder how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac events. In New York City, the incidence of OHCA attended by emergency medical services tripled in 2020 compared with a year earlier.

In addition, the pandemic brought increased delays in starting CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Despite no chance in the frequency of bystander CPR, there was a drop in the frequency of shockable rhythms, bystander AED (Automated External Defibrillator for shocking the heart back to a normal rhythm) use, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in public locations.

Timely, quality CPR is key to survival

Within seconds of the nationally televised event, medical personnel from Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium initiated high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Damar Hamlin. Soon, an ambulance came onto the field to rush Damar Hamlin.

The quick medical response likely saved Hamlin’s life. A doctor appeared by Hamlin’s side within one minute of his collapsing and immediately determined that the player had no pulse. CPR immediately began.

Cardiac arrest, CPR, awareness, and treatment

About one in six (18 percent) individuals in the United States report recent CPR training. Nearly two in three reports having had CPR training at some point.

CPR training rates appear lower in older people, those with less formal education, lower income groups, and Hispanic/Latino individuals. That’s according to a survey of over 9,000 people in the USA in 2015.

Here are the leaders in laypeople-initiated CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA):

Non-medical professionals used the “shocking device” (AED) in six percent of events, delivering a shock in 1.3 percent.

Laypeople used AEDs in nine percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. States with higher use rates include Nebraska (16 percent), Alaska (10 percent), Minnesota (9 percent), Oregon (13.5 percent), Washington (11 percent), Pennsylvania (10 percent), North Carolina (9.5 percent), and Utah (9.5 percent).

Cardiac arrest — My take

First, learn CPR. It is important for all of us, especially those with sport-playing children. A kid can get hit in the chest by a baseball or basketball. A cardiac arrest can occur if the strike is in the wrong chest location at precisely the wrong time in the heart’s electrical cycle.

Second, please advocate for AEDs everywhere that is reasonable. All malls, schools, and other well-traveled public spaces should have them.

Third, never be afraid to use the AED. The machine tells you exactly what to do and will not ask you to deliver a shock unless needed.

I took a CPR refresher course last week. You should consider taking one, too.

The post Football Player Hamlin’s On-field Collapse Reminds Me to Know CPR appeared first on Medika Life.

The brain is particularly at risk. And while advanced care such as pacemakers can facilitate physiological resuscitation, cognitive function remains a central determinate for a functional recovery.

Simply put, time is memory.

One of the most effective treatments for cardiac arrest is defibrillation, which involves using a device to deliver an electrical shock to the heart. The shock can potentially restore a normal heart rhythm and allow the heart to start pumping blood again. Interestingly, the process of defibrillation doesn’t “shock the heart” back to a normal rhythm.

The electric current that passes through the heart provides a uniform depolarization that “turns off” the multiple and chaotic impulses of ventricular fibrillation to allow a normal beating mechanism (that usually starts in the atrium and called sinus rhythm) to take over in a synchronous, effective cardiac contraction. Without defibrillation, the heart remains as a quivering mass of muscle unable to correct itself.

The sooner defibrillation is performed, the greater the chances of survival. In the case of OHCA, early defibrillation by trained lay responders or emergency medical services (EMS) can significantly improve outcomes. And the value of the automated external defibrillator that are widely available in public places is tremendous, but sadly, often either not used or used too late.

For optimal results, defibrillation should be performed within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. This is because the longer the heart goes without pumping blood, the more damage is done to the body. After about 10 minutes of cardiac arrest, the chances of survival decrease significantly. The data are compelling.

“When time from collapse to first EMS defibrillation was analyzed as a continuous variable, each 1-min delay was associated with a significant decrease in the likelihood of good neurological recovery.”

It is important for people to be trained in basic life support (BLS) including CPR and to have access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in order to provide early defibrillation in the event of an OHCA. By acting quickly and providing appropriate treatment, it is possible to save the life of a person experiencing cardiac arrest. But beyond the knowledge, the practical application of technology—particularly the defibrillator—is at the cornerstone of managing OHCA. And outcomes are clearly a function of speed. Situational awareness of available technology and prompt action are essential. The automation of defibrillation with today’s AED can turn any citizen from a bystander to a lifesaver!

The post In Sudden Cardiac Death, Time Is Memory appeared first on Medika Life.

The symptoms listed below are meant to make you aware of how symptoms we often associate with other conditions, like heartburn, can actually be your body trying to warn you about your heart. Aches and pains caused by your heart, but felt in different areas of your body, like your neck and jaw, are called referred pain.

The heart shares a bundle of nerves that service our arms, chest, and upper torso, so if you feel back pain or a sore jaw, this could be your heart sounding an alarm bell, but getting its signals crossed. Of course, it could also simply be exactly what it feels like. A dodgy tooth or a strained back muscle.

That’s why it’s important to learn about all the types of referred pain and consider any symptoms you may be experiencing in the context of your current physical condition. If you’re over forty, overweight, and unfit, then back pain accompanied by, for instance, sweating and shortness of breath should send you straight in to your doctor.

It isn’t just obese and unfit over-40’s that have heart attacks though. Any person, of any age and physical condition can suffer a heart attack for a variety of reasons, so it’s best to educate yourself on the most common early warning signs.

Not only could recognizing these signs save your life, but you could also potentially save someone else’s by seeing their aches and pains for what they really are. A warning.

Shortness of breath

Trouble getting up those stairs? Have you noticed a sudden and rapid decrease in your lung capacity? Do even small exertions leave you feeling out of breath? This symptom, even experienced on its own, requires immediate examination by your doctor. Don’t put it off. Heart-related shortness of breath does not need to be accompanied by chest pain.

Feeling Dizzy

Dizziness or lightheadedness coupled with chest pain and shortness of breath may indicate a decrease in blood volume and a drop in blood pressure, which means a heart attack could be on the way.

Feeling tired and listless

A feeling of fatigue will often accompany one or more of these symptoms, particularly in women. They can experience fatigue a month before having a heart attack. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute warn that this sign is especially prominent in women.

Heartburn, nausea, and indigestion

It could be that spicy curry you had for lunch or it could be something far more serious. Gastric symptoms like a queasy stomach, vomiting, or belching can develop when the heart and other areas of the body aren’t receiving enough blood supply. You can interpret this as acid reflux or heartburn, so it’s important to reach out to your doctor, especially if you’re having other heart related symptoms.

Pressure or feeling constricted, tightness

The most common and well know signal of an impending heart attack. These feelings will usually come in waves and will dissipate after a few minutes. The American Heart Association describes this symptom as “uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest”. This symptom can be accompanied by an increased feeling of stress and anxiety. Don’t ignore this symptom. Consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Sweating

Sweating is the body’s mechanism for cooling us down and is totally normal. In some instances, we sweat more, from excessive heat, exercise and in the case of women, the onset of menopause can trigger sweating. A heart attack triggers your nervous system, which in turn activates a “fight or flight” response that puts you in survival mode and could lead to sweating. ‘Cold sweats’ and ‘night sweats’ without the presence of fever should be taken seriously.

Referred Pain

Earlier we described how confused nerves can send out heart-related pain signals to other areas of your body. These can occur in places other than the chest, like the back, shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw. Women are more likely to experience pain in the neck, jaw, and back. Again, referred pain should be considered alongside the presence of other symptoms. A useful tip for back pain is the inability to localize the origin, in other words, there isn’t a specific spot you can point at for the pain.

Palpitations or irregular heartbeat

When the heart is starved of blood, it can lead to the sensation of heart palpitations or a racing heart. This is an unmistakable signal from your heart that something is amiss. If you feel like you’re having heart palpitations, make sure you contact your doctor right away, even in the absence of any other symptoms.

The post Eight Early Signs of Heart Trouble You Shouldn’t Ignore appeared first on Medika Life.

This is what a heart attack can feel like.

But is a heart attack the only thing this could be? Is this the only way a heart attack can feel? Should you drive yourself to the hospital or call 911? How is a heart attack diagnosed? What exactly is a heart attack? What’s going to happen next?

You’re filled with questions.

This article will answer many, if not all, of them.

Why should you read this? What are my credentials?

I’m an Emergency Physician — an “ER Doc” — who spent 37 years in the medical field before retiring in mid-2020. About a third of those years were spent in the private sector directly caring for patients, many of whom were having heart attacks. The other two-thirds of my career was in the academic/university sector, still caring for patients but also researching, writing, and teaching. In particular, I taught medical students and young doctors in training, teaching them how to be better doctors.

I’ve cared for hundreds of patients with heart attacks and many thousands more with symptoms suggesting a heart attack that turned out to be something else. Also, I’ve cared for many people whose symptoms were unlike the classic description above, but still, it turned out that they too were having heart attacks.

What is a heart attack?

Let’s break down “myocardial infarction,” the precise medical term for “heart attack.”

Myo = muscle (made up of cells)

Cardial = referring to the heart

Infarction = death

Putting this all together, a heart attack or myocardial infarction is the “death of cells that make up heart muscle.”

How common are heart attacks?

Roughly 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 Americans have heart attacks each year. About one-third of these individuals die.

How does a heart attack usually happen?

The heart is a muscle made up of cells. Just like other muscles, the heart’s muscle cells depend on a steady supply of oxygen from the bloodstream to live and function properly. And just like other muscles, open blood vessels are necessary for the heart’s muscle cells to receive blood and oxygen. When one of these blood vessels is blocked, heart muscle cells die. Heart muscle cell death is a heart attack or myocardial infarction.

A blood clot in an already-narrowed blood vessel that supplies heart muscle is the usual cause of a heart attack.

What happens in the United States and in many places in the world when you go to the hospital concerned that you’re having a heart attack?

You see someone just like me, an ER Doc. If it’s a heart attack, a cardiologist — a heart specialist — will be involved in your care, slightly later. But, you’re generally met in your hospital’s Emergency Department by an Emergency Physician who can immediately begin treatment, potentially save your life and diagnose your condition.

Why should you call 911, the paramedics, when you think you’re having a heart attack?

Paramedics too can immediately begin treatment and potentially save your life. They cannot diagnose your condition with absolute certainty but they can do an important first test — an EKG (or ECG) — and monitor your condition. They can intervene with certain helpful treatments and begin life-saving measures if they are called for. Paramedics can also go “lights-and-sirens,” getting you to the hospital quickly and in the safest way possible.

Some other helpful tips: remain as calm as possible, have someone stay with you, call 911 without delay, chew and swallow an aspirin, sit or recline quietly, do not panic.

What is an EKG (ECG)

An electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) is a “heart wave tracing,” a record of the heart’s electrical activity. This recording gives doctors and others in healthcare a tremendous amount of useful information. Often, but not always, a heart attack can be immediately diagnosed by the EKG’s distinctly abnormal pattern indicating that heart muscle damage has occurred.

Why do I write “often, but not always” above?

An EKG is a useful test and frequently a helpful one, providing lots of relevant information, but IT IS NOT A PERFECT TEST. There are no perfect tests in medicine. In other words, a person’s EKG can be normal and they’ll still be having a heart attack. Also, someone’s EKG can be abnormal and it does NOT signal that they’re having a heart attack.

Physician judgment and interpretation of the information an EKG provides figures heavily into decisions that are made about whether or not an individual is having a heart attack.

Also, other tests, including x-rays, laboratory investigations, CT scans and more can be, and often are, done to help determine what is really going on.

Again, an EKG is an important test in someone suspected of having a heart attack, but it is just one test among many that can and will be done. It’s interpretation in context is critically important. The information provided by an EKG is NOT perfect. To repeat, a normal EKG does NOT mean no heart attack, and an abnormal EKG does NOT necessarily mean a heart attack has occurred.

What other tests are immediately done to diagnose a heart attack?

In addition to the EKG, a blood test measuring troponin is done. This substance, a so-called “biochemical marker,” is released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells die. Troponin testing is often done several times even in the Emergency Department.

The combination of an abnormal EKG, particularly one that that is abnormal in a very specific way, and an elevated troponin level, usually provides enough information to diagnose a heart attack.

What else can feel like a heart attack

This is not a complete list by any means, but other medical problems with similar or overlapping symptoms can be: pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), heart muscle inflammation or infection, aortic dissection (tearing of the large artery that exits the heart and supplies blood to the rest of the body), infection or inflammation of the heart’s covering membrane, diseases of the esophagus (muscular tube connecting the mouth with the stomach), and MANY others.

Hospitalization — yes/no?

Again, physician judgment, a variety of tests, and even some days in the hospital to allow further evaluation may be required to determine whether or not a heart attack has occurred. If one has occurred, determining its extent (size and location) and assessing its immediate aftereffects should occur in the hospital. Hospitalization will also allow for other tests to be done, if required, if a heart attack is NOT the diagnosis or not the only diagnosis.

Therapy for heart attacks starts in the Emergency Department and continues in the hospital. This may include surgery to bypass blocked blood vessels, medications and other treatments to open blocked blood vessels, medications to limit a heart attack’s size and severity, medications to treat associated medical conditions, and more.

Do all heart attacks feel like the description above?

The short answer … no!

That is a fairly classic or “textbook” description. Many people including women, diabetics, the elderly, and those with certain other conditions may experience a wide variety of other symptoms, or almost no symptoms at all. “Silent” heart attacks can and do occur. These are heart attacks without any symptoms at all or perhaps no symptoms that patients can remember.

By way of example, I’ve seen elderly patients with behavioral changes who turned out to be having heart attacks, women with shortness of breath only, diabetics with what seemed like indigestion or upper abdominal pain, and MANY others.

Bottom line — if you are concerned about a set of symptoms, even including mild chest discomfort, mild breathlessness, skipped heartbeats, a feeling of “indigestion” and others, seek medical attention. Let medical professionals decide if it’s a heart attack or something else

Do only old people have heart attacks?

Again, the short answer is NO!

People of any age, including teenagers and twenty-somethings, can have heart attacks. I’ve seen this happen.

Even infants and children can have them, rarely, but they do occur.

Heart attacks do become increasingly common as age increases.

What can you do now to help prevent a heart attack?

There are a variety of conditions and so-called risk factors that lead to narrowing of the heart’s blood vessels (the “coronary” blood vessels) leading to a heart attack.

Some of these include advancing age, smoking, overweight and obesity, diabetes, a family history of coronary artery disease, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more.

Some of these conditions and risk factors are under your control and some are not.

Smoking is known to be a significant risk factor for heart attack and is completely under one’s control. So, if you smoke, quit!

Avoid weight gain if possible. Seek to lose weight if you’re overweight.

Obtain treatment for other conditions that lead to coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Bottom line — heart health, heart attack risk, and strategies to avoid heart attacks are complex, long-term issues best discussed with your primary healthcare provider.

The post How to Tell if You’re Having a Heart Attack appeared first on Medika Life.

What does heart related back pain feel like?

This symptom, usually occurs in your upper back and is more likely to affect women. The pain can originate in your chest and then “move” to your back. Although most often felt in the upper back, it can also occasionally cause pain in the lower back.

Onset can be sudden and pain can wake you at night. The pain is most often described as originating between the shoulder blades. As there are many non-heart related causes for back pain, its important to consider any of the other heart attack symptoms that would indicate your pain is heart related. If you find it difficult to pinpoint the pain, this could be an indicator of heart related pain.

Why does your heart cause this symptom?

It’s a case of crossed wires. Our bodies are normally very specific when they send out pain signals. Close your finger in the door and you know which part of your body isn’t impressed with you. The heart is a little bit more complicated as it shares nerves that send out signals to our arms, head and upper body.

As a result heart related symptoms like back pain are called referred pain. In other words, although that area feels painful, it isn’t the problem. Your heart is the issue and the signals have simply gotten mixed up. The source of origin for referred pain is also more diffuse and difficult for patients to pinpoint.

Accompanying symptoms

Back pain can occur as an isolated symptom or be accompanied by pain in your neck, jaw, shoulder or chest and you may experience nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness. If your back pain is accompanied by any these symptoms, seek immediate medical help.

If you’ve recently noticed any of the following, you should also seek medical attention if your back pain is unexplained.

• feeling tired or out of breath from your normal day to day routine
• struggling for breath from activities that don’t normally tax you
• feeling tired and listless but struggling to sleep
• sudden feelings of dread or anxiousness (panic attack)

Gender prevalence for back pain

Women experience this symptom far more than men do and many women report the pain as having started in their chests and then moving to the upper back area. For women, it is a typical red flag, but men may not experience any back pain at all. Women are also more likely than men to feel their back pain while they’re resting or sleeping.

Alternate Causes of back pain

Even if you suffer from any of the conditions listed below, you may still experience back pain as a result of a heart condition. The pain may not feel the same as the pain you normally experience from an existing condition.

The most common causes of upper back pain are muscular, related to poor posture, trapped nerves or degenerative conditions of the spine and bones. These include some of the following

• Back muscle spasm, sprain or strain
• Cancers
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated (bulged or ruptured) disc
• Lung Cancer
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteomyelitis
• Osteoporosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylitis

A life-threatening cause of back pain is an aortic dissection, a condition in which the biggest artery in your chest tears.

Are there clear signs it’s your heart?

There are a few tell tale signs that would indicate the pain in your back is related to your heart.

• Sharp pain that wakes you but you are unable to pinpoint the source of the pain
• Pain is most often described as occurring between the shoulder blades
• If the pain is accompanied by sudden excessive sweating not related to menopause
• If you find yourself suddenly short of breath from normal activities
• If your back pain is accompanied by one or more of the other heart related symptoms seek immediate medical attention

When to call your Doctor or 911

If you are experiencing upper back pain, especially pain that travels to your jaw, neck or down your arm, and are having associated symptoms of nausea, dizziness, sweating, or shortness of breath, call 911 right away.

If you are in an at risk group for heart disease (elderly, diabetic, obese, overweight, smoker or high blood pressure) then you should treat any back pain seriously. The more prolonged the discomfort or pain is, the faster you should seek medical care. Dial 911 or visit your nearest ER

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Anxiety, in particular, anxiety disorders, enjoy a complex relationship with coronary health. There are studies and evidence to suggest that abnormal and continued levels of extreme anxiety can contribute to heart conditions and then there is the anxiety and depression experienced by patients with heart disease as a direct result of the disease itself.

If you haven’t been diagnosed with a heart condition, heart disease, or high blood pressure and you feel occasional anxiety, stress, or get panicky once in a while, this isn’t likely to be your heart, and this type of anxiety won’t cause damage to your heart. However, if you exist in a constant state of anxiety and stress, then this will impact your blood pressure and by association, affect your heart.

Anxiety disorder is a chronic condition characterized by disproportionate and persistent anxiety. The five major types include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder. It is one of the most common diagnoses in the US, with one in five adults receiving treatment for the condition.

For the purposes of this article, we will assume the anxiety described below is that felt by patients not diagnosed with or suffering from any heart-related diseases or conditions.

What does heart related anxiety feel like?

There isn’t a huge amount of distinction to be made between normal anxiety and attacks of anxiety triggered by your heart. You need to be aware of other heart-related symptoms that may accompany the feelings of anxiety. Anxiety can cause your heart to race (tachycardia) and can be accompanied by sweating, increases in blood pressure, and affect your sleep patterns, which negatively impacts blood pressure and heart health. Common physical symptoms experienced include

• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Stomach upset
• Dizziness
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle tension or twitches
• Shaking or trembling
• Insomnia

The link between your heart and anxiety

Anxiety activates the body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS), also known as the “fight or flight response.” The ANS helps regulate the functions of the

• heart
• lungs
• digestive system
• various muscles throughout the body

Anxiety relating to or caused by your heart can often be self-inflicted. A patient may worry about dying from heart failure if they have already experienced a heart attack. Many patients do this subconsciously and aren’t even aware of it. Surviving a heart attack can be very traumatic and lead to anxiety that is similar to PTSD.

While there have been multiple studies that link depression to heart disease, the relationship between anxiety and cardiovascular disease seems to be a little more complex. Due to the high prevalence of anxiety in cardiovascular patients, researchers are further investigating if anxiety is a direct cause of heart disease or simply a correlation.

Accompanying symptoms

Both conditions include:

• Chest Pain
• Difficulty Breathing or Shortness of Breath
• Intense Feeling of Doom
• Lightheadedness or Feeling Faint
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Weak or Tingling Feeling in Limbs

Its easy to see why it is so difficult to distinguish the root cause for these symptoms without proper medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing these symptoms please consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Gender prevalence for anxiety

After the age of six, women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men.

Several studies have examined sex differences in different anxiety disorders. Females are repeatedly found to be more likely than males to suffer from anxiety in general and to be diagnosed with most anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia (AG), panic disorder (PD), separation anxiety (SA), specific phobia (SP), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Are there clear signs it’s your heart?

While not as accurate as a professional diagnosis, there are subtle differences between anxiety and heart problems which you may be able to determine at home.

• The chest pain from an anxiety attack is sharper and more localized, while the pain from a heart attack is duller and radiates more
• Anxiety attacks stem from a mental and not a physical cause
• Anxiety attacks rarely cause vomiting
• Heart attack pain may occur in the back or shoulders, while anxiety pain does not

And remember – anxiety and heart problems can happen to people who have never had issues with either.

Treating frequent anxiety

If you experience anxious feelings frequently or if you find yourself experiencing anxiety and you’re not sure why, tell your primary care physician or seek out a mental health professional for help. You may have an anxiety disorder that could be managed with a combination of therapy and medication.

Diagnosing an anxiety disorder often starts with a physical examination by a doctor. Certain conditions may cause anxiety, such as:

• heart disease
• thyroid disease
• respiratory disorders
• withdrawal from drugs or alcohol

When to call your Doctor or 911

If you are experiencing chest pain of any kind, especially if it travels to your jaw or down your arm, and are having associated symptoms of nausea, dizziness, sweating, or shortness of breath, call 911 right away.

If you are in an at-risk group for heart disease (elderly, diabetic, obese, overweight, smoker, or high blood pressure) then you should treat any chest pain very seriously. The more prolonged the discomfort or pain is, the faster you should seek medical care. Dial 911 or visit your nearest ER

The post Anxiety as a symptom of Heart Attack appeared first on Medika Life.

What does heart related chest pain feel like?

This is discomfort or frank pain in the area of the chest. Usually, it is “substernal,” which means it is behind the breastbone. It can be sharp, or stabbing, or sometimes burning. Many individuals experience the feeling of pressure on or about the chest area. This feeling is aggravated by exercise and tends to stop or lessen if the person rests. This pressure can be described as a weight placed on the rib cage or constrictive bands pulled tight around the chest.

Why does your heart cause this symptom?

When the heart suffers from a lack of blood flow, it causes pain in the chest area. There are a number of conditions associated with your heart that can cause pain in your chest.

• Coronary Artery Disease, or CAD
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the covering of the heart)
• Coronary artery dissection (tearing of the blood vessels in the heart)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (abnormal thickening of the heart muscle)
• Mitral valve prolapse (abnormal function of one of the heart valves)

Accompanying symptoms

Frequently, pain in the chest is accompanied by nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Sometimes, the pain can also travel from the chest to the jaw or down the left arm. Sometimes, the pain can also travel to the back. If your chest pain is accompanied by any these symptoms, seek immediate medical help.

Gender prevalence for chest pain

Women experience this symptom far less than men do. For men, it is a typical red flag, but women may not experience any chest pain at all. Women are also more likely than men to feel their chest pain while they’re resting or sleeping, while men tend to feel it when they’re active.

Does age, race or other factors affect chest pain?

Conditions such as diabetes can affect how symptoms of chest pain are experienced. In some diabetics, due to the nerve damage from diabetes, they may not suffer from any chest pain at all.

Alternate Causes of chest pain

Heartburn can also cause chest pain, and it can mimic symptoms of a heart attack. Viral inflammation of the heart (such as can be caused by SARS CoV-2), blood clots in the lungs, inflammation of the sac around the heart, and tearing of the blood vessel wall (aortic dissection) can be the culprit.

Your chest covers quite a lot of other things that could be causing that pain. Layers of muscle, bones, cartilage, nerves, your stomach, lungs and esophagus could all be responsible for pain in your chest. Issues with your stomach or gastrointestinal area can often be mistaken for heart-related pain. So can pain caused by inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breast bone. Asthma, pneumonia and panic attacks can also cause pain in your chest.

Lungs: The following lung conditions can be responsible for chest pain. Pleuritis (pleuresy), pneumonia or lung abscess, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension and asthma.

Gastro intestinal:Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Esophageal contraction disorders, Esophageal hypersensitivity. Esophageal rupture or perforation. Peptic ulcers, Hiatal hernia, Pancreatitis and Gallbladder problems.

Bone, muscle and nerves: Rib problems, muscle strain, shingles

Even doctors can struggle to distinguish if it’s your heart that causing the pain, so it is wise to always consult your doctor if you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your chest. Don’t self diagnose, it could cost you your life.

Are there clear signs it’s your heart?

There are a few tell tale signs that would indicate the pain in your chest is related to your heart.

• Pain that lasts a few seconds usually isn’t heart related, but if the pain persists for any period of time, then it’s time to call 911 or head down to your ER.
• Pressing on your chest shouldn’t affect the pain. If it does it is more likely to be muscular and not your heart.
• Taking a deep breath shouldn’t aggravate the pain. If it does, then again, this is more likely a lung or muscle related pain.
• Your current physical state. If you’re young, fit, healthy and don’t smoke or suffer from any of the risk vectors like diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, then it is less likely to be your heart.
• Nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness are a serious indicator if they accompany chest pain,

Dispelling Myths about chest pain

• Chest pain means you’re having a heart attack – False: You can experience chest pain for a number of different reasons, see above.
• Everyone experiences the symptoms in the same way – False: for example, women, diabetics and older people tend to have very atypical chest pain. It’s different for each person.

When to call your Doctor or 911

If you are experiencing chest pain of any kind, especially if it travels to your jaw or down your arm, and are having associated symptoms of nausea, dizziness, sweating, or shortness of breath, call 911 right away.

If you are in an at risk group for heart disease (elderly, diabetic, obese, overweight, smoker or high blood pressure) then you should treat any chest pain very seriously. The more prolonged the discomfort or pain is, the faster you should seek medical care. Dial 911 or visit your nearest ER

The post Chest pain as a symptom of Heart Attack appeared first on Medika Life.