Protecting Your Heart Begins With You
Kim Ylitalo, 44, did not fit the picture of heart disease – she was young, active, trim, a non-smoker and female. This image of health led to delays in her diagnosis that could have had disastrous results.
Not too young for heart disease
Ylitalo’s battle with heart disease began when she was 36. For more than a week, Ylitalo had been feeling short of breath, weak and unsteady, and noticed pain in her arms and a mild sensation between her shoulder blades. Initially her doctor suspected she was suffering from anxiety or the flu.
But Ylitalo believed her symptoms were more serious and was eventually scheduled for a stress test. That was on a Friday. The results were not normal but did not clearly indicate a serious problem. Because of her young age, Ylitalo’s doctor decided she could wait until the following Monday to repeat the test.
The next day, Ylitalo felt worse and began vomiting. Her husband rushed her to the local hospital’s emergency department and insisted that a cardiologist be called to examine her.
Scott Sharkey, MD, a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, evaluated Ylitalo and knew there was a problem. “He was so matter of fact, and I respected that,” said Ylitalo. “For the first time, I felt that someone was listening to me and was going to help. I felt very grateful.”
Ylitalo was transferred to Abbott Northwestern Hospital where she had two stents placed to open blocked arteries. She was also referred to Elizabeth Grey, MD, a cardiologist with the Minneapolis Heart Institute’s Women’s Heart Health Program. Grey said that Ylitalo’s case demonstrates how important it is for women to learn about heart disease and take their symptoms seriously. “Kim was intuitive and listened to her body. Her tenacity and curiosity urged her to seek answers for unresolved symptoms.”
Warning signs
Looking back, Ylitalo believes there were some warning signs about her condition. Even though she had been a competitive swimmer in college and remained very active as an adult, she noticed that her pregnancies seemed much more physically taxing than what other women she knew experienced. “There were times when I felt lightheaded and fainted. I even wore a Holter monitor (a device that tracks the electrical activity of the heart) during one pregnancy,” she said. Several family members had died at a young ages from heart disease, including her grandmother at age 42.
Follow-up testing revealed that Ytalio has a rare genetic disease called familial dyslipidemia – abnormally low levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) – a risk for premature coronary artery disease.
Ylitalo had additional stents placed in 2002 and 2003. Then, one morning in November 2005, Ylitalo woke up feeling nauseous. “My head felt cloudy and everything seemed like it was far away,” she recalled. She collapsed at home, and then suffered ventricular fibrillation and a heart attack when she arrived in the emergency room.
Fortunately, the heart attack was mild and Ylitalo made a full recovery. “Even though my heart stopped, with the new technology and well-trained staff at Abbott Northwestern, I ended up with little if any damage,” said Ylitalo.
But she sees Grey regularly for follow-up care, takes several medications, watches her diet, exercises regularly and pays close attention to any unusual symptoms. In 2007, she received an implantable defibrillator, which detects arrhythmias and provides an electrical charge to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Ylitalo feels strongly that women need to take heart disease seriously and learn to be their own advocates. “Anyone can get heart disease, even the most physically fit person. If you want to be there for your family, today is the day to change.”
Despite her health challenges, Ylitalo remains optimistic and is grateful for the care she has received. “I’ve been blessed with a strong will to live. I believe every day is a gift.”
Heart Screening Recommendations for Women
Assess heart health risk factors beginning at age 20.
Check blood pressure, body mass index and pulse at least every two years.
Conduct fasting lipids profile (cholesterol levels) and fasting blood glucose at least every five years, if normal.
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How Many Miles in the Mall?
If Minnesota winter chills your thoughts of a walk outdoors, mall walking is an excuse-proof option – there’s no reason to worry about slippery walks, chilling wind or numbing temperatures. Mall walking is simple and safe, and some malls offer formal walking programs and incentives.
Walking at the mall is usually free; the only expense is a good pair of shoes. Mall floors usually have a concrete base so wearing well-cushioned shoes is important. You can often store your coat or handbag in a locker for a nominal cost.
Mall exercise also offers more socializing opportunities than exercising at home. Ask a friend to enjoy conversation while walking or meet a new friend at the mall. A regular walking program increases circulation, improves muscle tone, maintains flexibility and burns calories. Here are a few metro area malls with walking programs. For a complete list of mall walking programs throughout Minnesota, visit www.mplsheartfoundation.org.
Eden Prairie Shopping Center
8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Program: No formal program but walkers welcome
Description: Doors open at 6:30 a.m. daily for walkers. Upper level distance equals 0.54 miles and one time around the lower level equals 0.63 mile. Map at Guest Services
Cost: No cost
Contact: Guest Services, 952-941-7650
Mall of America
60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425
Program: WalkSport™ Program
Description: WalkSport™ provides support, motivation and incentives. Benefits for members include a progress tracking system, informational seminars and a subscription to WalkTimes™ Newsletter. A one-mile walk equals two times around the established route. Doors open at 10 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Cost: $15 per year, $25 for couples
Contact: Mall of America general information, 952-883-8800, or visit www.walksport.com
Ridgedale Center
12401 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55305
Program: No formal program but walkers welcome
Description: Doors open at 7 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday. A one-mile walk equals 2 ½ times around the established route.
Cost: No cost
Contact: Premier Service Center, 952-541-4864
Southdale Center
10 Southdale Center, Edina, MN 55435
Program: No formal program but walkers welcome
Description: Doors open at Southdale at 7 a.m. daily. Lower level equals 0.6 miles, second level equals 0.75 miles, third level equals 0.22 miles
Eating Well: Heart Healthy Chili
Stir up the flavor with this quick-to-the-table heart healthy chili. Packed with colorful vegetables and legumes, it is fiber-rich, very low in saturated fat, and has no cholesterol. Compliment with a sliced crisp apple and you have a meal that’s an antidote for a Minnesota winter.
Printer-friendly version
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup red pepper, diced
1 cup green pepper, diced
1 ½ cups zucchini, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, minced and seeded
4 cups tomatoes (1 ¾ pounds), diced
1 tablespoon chili pepper
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 5.5-ounce cans vegetable juice
1 cup frozen sweet corn
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained |
Directions:
In large sauté pan over medium heat, warm oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, 2-3 minutes. Add peppers and zucchini; cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes and remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer, cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Yield:
6 servings (serving size 1 ½ cups)
Calories 225, Fat 4 g (saturated 0.4 g), Protein 11 g, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 575 mg,
Fiber 13 g.
Optional garnishes: a few baked tortilla chips, a dollop of reduced-fat sour cream or a sprinkle of reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
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