5 / 8
Head:
Light-headedness or
sudden dizziness
Chest:
Pain, pressure,
fullness or squeezing
in the middle of the chest
that lasts more than a
few minutes or comes
and goes
Skin:
Cold swea
t
Arm(s), back, jaw, neck,
shoulder(s):
Pain or
discomfort
Lungs:
Shortness of
breath, with or without
chest discomfort
Stomach:
Nausea or
discomfort
Make the
call now
Don’t wait more than five
minutes to call 911 if you think
you are or someone else is
having a heart attack. Fast
action can save lives.
Source: American Heart Association
Anatomy of
heart attack
symptoms
Florida
Hospital Waterman
recently received full Chest Pain Center with
PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention)
accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular
Patient Care. This accreditation verifies that
processes are in place to
quickly and effectively
assess, diagnose and
treat patients who
may be experiencing
a heart attack. Florida
Hospital Waterman is
among only 12 percent
of hospitals nationally
that have demonstrated
this level of expertise in
cardiac patient care.
examined by interventional cardiologist
Prabhakara B. Kunamneni, MD, who
determined Verkaik would need five stents to
reopen the blockages in his heart.
“When a coronary artery becomes
narrowed by a buildup of plaque, it
reduces blood flow, resulting in chest
pain,” says Dr. Kunamneni. “When that
artery is completely blocked and the blood
can no longer reach the heart, a heart
attack results. A stent is a tiny wire mesh
tube that is permanently placed in the
artery to keep it open.”
On the road to recovery,
reassured from the start
“Right from the start, Dr. Kunamneni
showed us all the pictures where John’s
stents were put in and explained what
else had to be done,” Joyce says. “He
made us feel very comfortable; he put
us at ease.”
Thanks to the cardiac team, Verkaik
is feeling much better. He has changed
his diet and is more serious about eating
healthy. He even has a smoothie each day
that is packed full of green vegetables and
fresh fruit. He also walks and counts his
steps every day.
Verkaik says, “I tell some of the guys
that I know well enough that I knocked on
Heaven’s gates and the Lord said no, not
yet. So there must be something He wants
me to accomplish yet.”
February is National Heart Month,
an entire month dedicated to raising
awareness about heart disease prevention.
Knowing the signs of a heart attack and
when to call 911 saved Verkaik’s life and
can save yours too.
WatermanWellness | Spring 2016
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