Lake Charles Memorial | Medical Milestones | Winter 2023

lcmh.com 9 For all your heart care needs Trust Lake Charles Memorial Health System. Two additional cardiologists will join the Heart and Vascular Center team in February. Call 337-284-8480 to schedule an appointment. Clay Hammett, MD Cardiologist Attend your follow-up medical appointments. These appointments help your healthcare team keep track of your recovery. Make each visit count by preparing a list of questions you may have. Also, bring all the medicines you take—including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs—to each appointment. You should see your doctor within six weeks of your heart attack to help keep your recovery on track. Edward Bergen, DO Cardiologist Make needed lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes can help you manage your risk factors. These might include: • Quitting smoking. Quitting now can lower your risk for dying of heart disease. • Losing weight. Shedding extra pounds can help lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels. • Becoming more active. Regular exercise has many benefits, including weight loss, lower stress levels and lower blood pressure. A cardiac rehabilitation program can help you get started. Kevin Young, MD Cardiologist Know all the symptoms of a heart attack. Unfortunately, having one heart attack puts you at increased risk for a second one. And if you do have another one, your symptoms may be different than they were the first time. So it’s important to know all the possible warning signs: Sources: American Heart Association; American College of Cardiology; UpToDate • Chest pain or discomfort • Discomfort in other areas of the body. These can include one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach • Shortness of breath • Breaking out in a cold sweat • Nausea • Syncope (feeling faint or light-headed) Call 911 if you experience any of these symptoms.

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