From The Publisher: I recently read a post on our Facebook page of a gentleman sharing the story of his neighbor who had died of a heart attack. Because he was fearful of possibly catching COVID-19 at the hospital, he did not seek medical attention. The warning signs were there - but his fears (of contracting a potentially deadly disease) were his actual death sentence. I was so struck by how, in times of panic and fear, logic and rational thinking don’t seem to be a valid option. Concerned that others might be doing the same under stress, I reached out to Dr. C.V. Ramana in Oklahoma City to provide information on the warning signs that everyone needs to take very seriously. Thank you Dr. Ramana for giving your time and expertise to provide this life saving information. May it help sharpen our awareness of when it is truly time to contact a medical professional. When it is truly life-threatening. I wanted to share a little of Dr. Ramana’s background with you. He is a vascular and interventional radiologist at Naadi Health with more than 20 years of practice experience. He has expertise in all areas of vascular and interventional radiology, specializing in treatment of peripheral vascular disease and venous insufficiency. He utilizes the latest technologies and techniques for revascularization and limb salvage. Dr. Ramana has a Ph.D from Yale University and his MD is from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio (where he pursued residency training in Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology; subsequently completing a fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic).
8 CAREGIVER Magazine
Taking Symptoms Seriously... Are You At Risk? By Dr. C.V. Ramana What Is Atherosclerosis, Coronary Or Peripheral Arterial Disease (CAD, PAD)? There are many synonyms for this disease or abnormality – it refers to the narrowing of arteries that provide blood flow from the heart to the entire body. This is oxygen and nutrient rich blood providing essential sustenance to all areas of the body. The narrowing generally worsens over time, and can progress to complete blockage if there is no intervention. WHO IS AT RISK FOR IT? Typically, people over the age of 50 (men are more commonly affected than women). Also, people with: • Diabetes • Hypertension • Tobacco use/abuse ` • High cholesterol • Obesity • Sedentary lifestyle • Family history
HOW TO KNOW WHEN (AND HOW) TO SEEK TREATMENT HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE IT, AND WHAT AREAS OF THE BODY ARE AFFECTED? The narrowing of blood vessels or loss of blood flow can affect any part of the body, and can lead to symptoms like this: BRAIN – light headedness, dizziness, blurry or decreased vision, difficulty with speech, weakness of arms or legs – this may be temporary (TIA or transient ischemic attack) or long-term (stroke) HEART – chest pain or arm, neck, jaw paint (angina), shortness of breath (especially with any exertion), abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack KIDNEYS – uncontrollable hypertension, long term can lead to loss of kidney function or even kidney failure – requiring dialysis DIGESTIVE – abdominal pain after eating, blood loss in the intestines, intestinal infarction (or dead gut) SEXUAL – Erectile dysfunction
Issue 11
CaregiverOklahoma.com
