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iWhether it's your first day of school, your first day on the job, or your first day of retirement, your heart is the engine that beats a little faster when you need it to, and then settles back into its natural groove when life calms down.
When heart trouble does arise, Carolina Pines offers our community in Hartsville and surrounding areas a suite of services including diagnostics, monitoring, stress testing, echocardiography and interventional services.
One easy way to monitor your heart health is to schedule regular check-ups with a cardiologist or your primary care physician. If you don't have one, give us a call. We have a team of excellent physicians and are glad to help you find one who best fits your needs.
At Carolina Pines, we focus on providing a comprehensive approach to heart health. With services ranging from diagnostics and monitoring to surgical services we'll work with you to ensure your heart is in the best possible shape it can be.
A primary care physician can check up on your heart and refer you to a specialist if needed. Find one by calling 843-339-2100.
Heart problems come in many shapes and sizes. So do the variety of heart services we provide to our community. They include:
Cardiology Services
Additional Planned Services
Knowing the signs and symptoms of heart disease can be the difference between going for a run, or taking an unexpected trip to the hospital. The difficulty is that the signs and symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments. So how do you know when it's a real emergency or something else?
Equally important to keep in mind is that men and women often present different symptoms. Below is
a gender-specific list of common signs and symptoms.
Indigestion
For some, indigestion is an unfortunate everyday occurrence. But for others who may not have a history of indigestion, this can be a sign that a heart attack is approaching. According to research by the National Institutes of Health, this can be especially true for women. Look for indigestion to be combined with jaw, chest or back pain, anxiety or excessive sweating.
Discomfort in the Stomach, Neck or Jaw
Waking up after sleeping awkwardly, and the neck pain that follows, is the worst. But, if you experience neck or jaw pain not related to an injury, or stomach pain that you can't pinpoint, it could be your body's way of telling you that your heart needs attention. These symptoms may be combined with generalized weakness or lack of energy.
Headaches
Migraine headaches can be a warning sign of a heart attack. Women, in particular, who experience a migraine accompanied by flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in the hand or face should consult their doctor immediately as this can be a warning sign that a heart attack is approaching.
Fatigue
Everyone feels fatigue from time to time, and more often than not this is just a symptom of life. But if the fatigue just doesn't feel right, that can be a warning sign for heart trouble. Often times, the fatigue doesn't feel like anything you may have experienced before. There can be a generalized weakness associated with the fatigue, combined with other symptoms like shortness of breath. If you're concerned, don't ignore the symptoms.
General Weakness
As humans, we always try to tough it out. But if you're feeling weaker than normal, it may be worth giving the doctor a call.
Chest Discomfort
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Want to schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians? Call 843-339-2100.