Physicians encourage patients to start conversations at primary care visits
Columbia, Maryland, February 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — To kick off American Heart Month, MedStar Health released the results of its national survey revealing Americans’ top health concerns and their healthy heart-related habits.
Survey respondents (22%) said heart disease was their number one health concern, ahead of mental health, cancer, COVID-19 and a host of other diseases and conditions. Still, more than a third said they wouldn’t discuss heart health with their provider during their annual checkup.
MedStar Health celebrates the start of American Heart Month with new heart health findings.
MedStar Health Cardiologist says, “If you have questions or concerns about your heart health, your annual checkup is the perfect time to ask them” Robert Lage,Medical PhD. “Catching heart disease early is the best way to prevent it from causing bigger problems in the future. Your primary care provider can help you take control of your heart health, and American Heart Month is a great time to remind patients of this.”
MedStar Health also examined public knowledge of these important heart health facts and topics:
Heart disease is leading cause of death for U.S. adults
- Only 43% of respondents correctly identified this.
- Only 29 percent cited it as the leading cause of death for women.
Five symptoms of a heart attack, including:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Feeling weak, dizzy, or fainted.
- Jaw, neck, or back pain or discomfort.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
- Shortness of breath.
- Only 12% of Americans can identify all 5 symptoms.
CPR training for cardiac arrest.
- Less than half of Americans are trained in CPR.
- Only 41% of Americans are willing to perform CPR.
Recommended age for cholesterol screening.
While some may be surprised by the relatively young recommended age for cholesterol screening, the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that all children ages 9-11 be screened for high blood cholesterol because of the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.
MedStar Health survey includes responses from 1,000 U.S. adults December 2022.
SOURCE MedStar Health
