Latest news with #BradleySerwer
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Are Begging People With High Cholesterol To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP
Cardiologists Are Begging People With High Cholesterol To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP originally appeared on Parade. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for U.S. adults for a century, according to American Heart Association data. There are many reasons why someone may die from cardiovascular disease, and we can't control all of them. Yet, understanding risk factors and how to control what we can is critical, like managing high cholesterol if you have is one way. However, Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist with Vital Heart & Vein in Houston, explains that lifestyle tweaks like diet are crucial, whether you benefit from medication for cholesterol or not. The good news?"Even minor adjustments to your diet can lead to significant clinical benefits if maintained over time, emphasizing the profound impact of self-care in managing high cholesterol and reducing the risk of future heart attacks and strokes," Dr. Kee various factors can complicate even making small changes to your diet, and you may unintentionally be consuming some heart-unfriendly foods. Cardiologists share the one habit to break if you have high cholesterol.🩺 💊 The No. 1 Habit Cardiologists Want People With High Cholesterol To Break ASAP Cardiologists are urging people with high cholesterol to not overlook saturated fat consumption. "We see a significant increase in heart disease risk with high consumption of saturated fats," warns Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health research suggests that saturated fat is more likely to affect cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol, although this can vary from person to person. Not all fats are bad—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that remain liquid at room temperature can have heart-healthy benefits. However, saturated fats, which solidify at room temperature, can pose risks, including higher odds of developing high cholesterol or having complications if you already do. "Saturated fat, typically found in animal products like red meats and full-fat dairy, influences your liver to produce higher levels of LDL—'bad'—cholesterol in your blood," explains , a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor. "LDL cholesterol circulates in your blood and can stick to artery walls, forming plaque. Over time, this plaque narrows arteries—a condition called atherosclerosis—and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes."For this reason, Dr. Suri notes that the American Heart Association recommends limiting your saturated fat consumption to less than 6% of your daily calories."This roughly translates to about 13 grams of saturated fat per day, if someone is consuming 2,000 calories per day," she notes. Related: Why It's Hard To Monitor Saturated Fat—Even With High Cholesterol Limiting saturated fat intake is difficult, even if you've gotten doctor's orders to do so for high cholesterol, concedes Dr. Jeffrey Carstens, MD, MBA, a cardiologist with UnityPoint Health."Controlling saturated fat intake is challenging for many individuals due to its prevalence in a wide array of appealing foods, including many fast-food options, often without obvious labeling," he says. "Frequently unrecognized sources include processed foods, such as ice cream and baked goods."The labels on the front of a food container don't always help you make the best decisions for your cholesterol. "Food labels can be misleading," Dr. Kee reports. "A 'reduced-fat' food might still be high in saturated fat or might contain higher amounts of sugar or sodium, which can confuse consumers trying to make healthier choices." Dr. Kee adds that the current hyperfocus on macronutrients—especially protein—can also lead people to reach for foods high in saturated fat. For instance, red meat is an "excellent" source of protein and saturated fat. Also? We're human. "Lifestyle factors like time constraints often lead individuals to opt for convenience foods, which are typically high in saturated fat, added sugars and sodium," he How To Eat Less Saturated Fat It's hard to reduce your saturated fat intake. However, cardiologists emphasize that it's not impossible and is worth doing if you have high cholesterol or want to prevent it. "Reducing saturated fat intake is one of the most effective ways to protect heart health—and it doesn't have to mean giving up on flavor," Dr. Suri how to eat less saturated fat: 1. Prioritize fruits, vegetables and whole grains Deprivation is not on the menu when you're trying to manage cholesterol. Dr. Carstens recommends fiber-rich foods. Think apples, leafy greens and quinoa. "Loading up on these naturally low-fat and high-fiber foods helps displace higher-fat options in your diet and promotes fullness," he time you serve yourself a meal, take a look at your plate. Dr. Kee recommends loading half of it with vegetables. 2. Opt for leaner or plant-based protein Protein is an essential macronutrient, but Dr. Carstens says that choosing leaner cuts or plant-based options can help you cut back on saturated fat intake. Think skinless chicken, fish and legumes. If your cravings call for red meat, opt for a leaner cut. Dr. Kee is a fan of Meatless Monday, though any day to go full-on vegetarian works."Aim for at least one meatless meal per week to explore new protein options," he recommends. 3. Replace saturated fats Remember, "fat" isn't a dirty word, even when you're trying to reduce your cholesterol. The type of fat you regularly use to drizzle on salads or cook with can make a significant difference in your heart health. "Replace saturated fats with healthier options," Dr. Serwer advises. "Some excellent options include olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter or coconut oil." 4. Become a label detective When perusing the grocery store, be sure to look at the back of the food bag or canister, which paints a clearer picture of whether it's heart-friendly. "Many packaged and processed foods contain hidden saturated fats, even ones labeled healthy," Dr. Suri cardiologists emphasize that it's not impossible, and is worth doing if you have high cholesterol or want to prevent it. "A simple guideline is to choose foods with no more than 1 gram of saturated fat per 100 calories," Dr. Kee notes. "However, be mindful that 'reduced-fat' products might compensate with higher sugar or sodium content." 5. Limit eating out Many chain menus post nutrition information, and it's worth taking the time to read. However, Dr. Serwer says opting for home-cooked meals more often than not is a best practice for your heart health (and wallet, if we're being honest). "The best way to reduce saturated fats is to know what you are eating," he says. "Try your best to avoid eating at restaurants where ingredients are unknown." Up Next:Sources: Heart and Stroke Statistics. American Heart Association. Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist with Vital Heart & Vein in Houston Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company Dietary saturated fat and cholesterol: cracking the myths around eggs and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Nutritional Science. The Skinny on Fats. American Heart Association. Dr. Bhavna Suri, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor Saturated Fats. American Heart Association. Dr. Jeffrey Carstens, MD, MBA, a cardiologist with UnityPoint Health Cardiologists Are Begging People With High Cholesterol To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Are Begging People With High Cholesterol To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP
Cardiologists Are Begging People With High Cholesterol To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP originally appeared on Parade. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for U.S. adults for a century, according to American Heart Association data. There are many reasons why someone may die from cardiovascular disease, and we can't control all of them. Yet, understanding risk factors and how to control what we can is critical, like managing high cholesterol if you have is one way. However, Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist with Vital Heart & Vein in Houston, explains that lifestyle tweaks like diet are crucial, whether you benefit from medication for cholesterol or not. The good news?"Even minor adjustments to your diet can lead to significant clinical benefits if maintained over time, emphasizing the profound impact of self-care in managing high cholesterol and reducing the risk of future heart attacks and strokes," Dr. Kee various factors can complicate even making small changes to your diet, and you may unintentionally be consuming some heart-unfriendly foods. Cardiologists share the one habit to break if you have high cholesterol.🩺 💊 The No. 1 Habit Cardiologists Want People With High Cholesterol To Break ASAP Cardiologists are urging people with high cholesterol to not overlook saturated fat consumption. "We see a significant increase in heart disease risk with high consumption of saturated fats," warns Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health research suggests that saturated fat is more likely to affect cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol, although this can vary from person to person. Not all fats are bad—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that remain liquid at room temperature can have heart-healthy benefits. However, saturated fats, which solidify at room temperature, can pose risks, including higher odds of developing high cholesterol or having complications if you already do. "Saturated fat, typically found in animal products like red meats and full-fat dairy, influences your liver to produce higher levels of LDL—'bad'—cholesterol in your blood," explains , a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor. "LDL cholesterol circulates in your blood and can stick to artery walls, forming plaque. Over time, this plaque narrows arteries—a condition called atherosclerosis—and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes."For this reason, Dr. Suri notes that the American Heart Association recommends limiting your saturated fat consumption to less than 6% of your daily calories."This roughly translates to about 13 grams of saturated fat per day, if someone is consuming 2,000 calories per day," she notes. Related: Why It's Hard To Monitor Saturated Fat—Even With High Cholesterol Limiting saturated fat intake is difficult, even if you've gotten doctor's orders to do so for high cholesterol, concedes Dr. Jeffrey Carstens, MD, MBA, a cardiologist with UnityPoint Health."Controlling saturated fat intake is challenging for many individuals due to its prevalence in a wide array of appealing foods, including many fast-food options, often without obvious labeling," he says. "Frequently unrecognized sources include processed foods, such as ice cream and baked goods."The labels on the front of a food container don't always help you make the best decisions for your cholesterol. "Food labels can be misleading," Dr. Kee reports. "A 'reduced-fat' food might still be high in saturated fat or might contain higher amounts of sugar or sodium, which can confuse consumers trying to make healthier choices." Dr. Kee adds that the current hyperfocus on macronutrients—especially protein—can also lead people to reach for foods high in saturated fat. For instance, red meat is an "excellent" source of protein and saturated fat. Also? We're human. "Lifestyle factors like time constraints often lead individuals to opt for convenience foods, which are typically high in saturated fat, added sugars and sodium," he How To Eat Less Saturated Fat It's hard to reduce your saturated fat intake. However, cardiologists emphasize that it's not impossible and is worth doing if you have high cholesterol or want to prevent it. "Reducing saturated fat intake is one of the most effective ways to protect heart health—and it doesn't have to mean giving up on flavor," Dr. Suri how to eat less saturated fat: 1. Prioritize fruits, vegetables and whole grains Deprivation is not on the menu when you're trying to manage cholesterol. Dr. Carstens recommends fiber-rich foods. Think apples, leafy greens and quinoa. "Loading up on these naturally low-fat and high-fiber foods helps displace higher-fat options in your diet and promotes fullness," he time you serve yourself a meal, take a look at your plate. Dr. Kee recommends loading half of it with vegetables. 2. Opt for leaner or plant-based protein Protein is an essential macronutrient, but Dr. Carstens says that choosing leaner cuts or plant-based options can help you cut back on saturated fat intake. Think skinless chicken, fish and legumes. If your cravings call for red meat, opt for a leaner cut. Dr. Kee is a fan of Meatless Monday, though any day to go full-on vegetarian works."Aim for at least one meatless meal per week to explore new protein options," he recommends. 3. Replace saturated fats Remember, "fat" isn't a dirty word, even when you're trying to reduce your cholesterol. The type of fat you regularly use to drizzle on salads or cook with can make a significant difference in your heart health. "Replace saturated fats with healthier options," Dr. Serwer advises. "Some excellent options include olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter or coconut oil." 4. Become a label detective When perusing the grocery store, be sure to look at the back of the food bag or canister, which paints a clearer picture of whether it's heart-friendly. "Many packaged and processed foods contain hidden saturated fats, even ones labeled healthy," Dr. Suri cardiologists emphasize that it's not impossible, and is worth doing if you have high cholesterol or want to prevent it. "A simple guideline is to choose foods with no more than 1 gram of saturated fat per 100 calories," Dr. Kee notes. "However, be mindful that 'reduced-fat' products might compensate with higher sugar or sodium content." 5. Limit eating out Many chain menus post nutrition information, and it's worth taking the time to read. However, Dr. Serwer says opting for home-cooked meals more often than not is a best practice for your heart health (and wallet, if we're being honest). "The best way to reduce saturated fats is to know what you are eating," he says. "Try your best to avoid eating at restaurants where ingredients are unknown." Up Next:Sources: Heart and Stroke Statistics. American Heart Association. Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist with Vital Heart & Vein in Houston Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company Dietary saturated fat and cholesterol: cracking the myths around eggs and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Nutritional Science. The Skinny on Fats. American Heart Association. Dr. Bhavna Suri, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor Saturated Fats. American Heart Association. Dr. Jeffrey Carstens, MD, MBA, a cardiologist with UnityPoint Health Cardiologists Are Begging People With High Cholesterol To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Medscape
12-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
The Role of Obesity in Heart Health
Obesity is a serious, chronic condition, and in the US, more than 2 in 5 adults present with it. The disease is often linked to a host of other chronic and dangerous conditions, and according to CDC, obesity accounts for nearly $173 billion in medical expenditures. With numbers like that, it's given you will have patients in your office presenting with obesity. When that happens, one of your chief concerns and topics to address is how obesity affects your patient's heart health. 'Obesity is often called the first domino with respect to cardiometabolic health because when patients are obese, other comorbidities usually exist, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and metabolic disease,' said Payal Kohli, MD, founder and medical director at Cherry Creek Heart, Aurora, Colorado, and associate professor in the Division of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. 'That is why obesity can increase the risk for poor cardiovascular health through direct as well as indirect mechanisms.' Payal Kohli, MD Obesity's impact on health doesn't end there, either. According to Kohli, other complications related to the condition include elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, inflammation and elevated sympathetic hormones. In aggregate, she said, these compromise endothelial function and result in accelerated atherosclerosis. It also affects obstructive sleep apnea and its severity, said Bradley Serwer, MD, chief medical officer at VitalSolutions. In fact, obesity is one of the main components of the dangerous condition. 'Weight loss may not fix it entirely, but it can have a positive impact,' he said. 'That's often left out of the equation when we talk about the risks of obesity.' With so many detrimental effects from the condition, finding the right approach to helping your patients with obesity is critical. Addressing the Issues At Hand There is a lot of advice you need to give to your patients with obesity, but it all begins with coaching them on lifestyle changes. Gone are the days of diets that lead to yo-yo results and in the end, might cause more harm than good. You need to have the sometimes hard conversations about weight and how to go about losing it. 'Address the issue,' said Serwer. 'Many times, PCPs [primary care physicians] don't want to address the uncomfortable topics, but you must in a diplomatic way. Urge them to consider lifestyle issues and modifications for a long-term, healthy impact.' A comprehensive approach is what's in order. This should include diet, exercise, counseling, and more. 'The cornerstones are exercise and diet, but sometimes engaging these patients is like hitting a brick wall,' said Michael Silverman, MD, a cardiologist with Johns Hopkins Medicine. 'So you have to go about it with baby steps and also figure out what's going on psychologically.' Bradley Serwer, MD This is where therapy and counseling can play a key role. There can be a host of psychological conditions beneath the condition, and it's essential to uncover them. Everything from depression and anxiety to poor home and/or work lives, to past trauma and abuse. For the PCP, it's essential to have the mental health component in mind, and a team of therapists at ready for referring your patients with obesity. One option, too, is a credible obesity clinic. These are set up with a full team ready to treat patients with obesity. From registered dieticians to counselors to physical therapists, a good obesity clinic can offer patients one-stop shopping, removing complicated barriers to accessing the many different clinicians. 'Have these resources ready to go for your obese patients,' said Serwer. 'That way they don't have to make a million different phone calls and get to numerous locations for care. It can be an incredibly valuable resource.' Even with these resources, there's still a role to play. Your counseling approach to patients with obesity needs to have sustainability in mind. 'When talking about diet, help your patients identify easy things to give up,' said Silverman. 'The first thing I'd have them get rid of is fast food — these establishments should be used for the bathroom and coffee and that's it.' Michael Silverman, MD After that, Silverman recommends patients tackle sugary drinks, juices and even diet sodas. Data backs up the fact that artificial sweeteners can trigger hunger and cravings, so address this with your patients. Beyond fast food, highly processed foods and sugary drinks, however, the approach to diet should lean toward additive versus restrictive. 'Give your patients guidance on heart healthy foods, which in turn are weight-loss friendly foods,' said Silverman. The Mediterranean Diet, for instance, is abundant in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. These are all heart-healthy foods and when you coach your patients to try this eating approach, you're giving them a valuable tool for heart health. The approach also features many foods that lead to feelings of fullness, which will help stave off cravings for unhealthier options. Your patient's approach to exercise should likewise begin small and build from there. 'This can look like walking to the mailbox every day, or around the dining room table several times, as a starting point,' said Silverman. 'They can gradually increase their walking duration and eventually the intensity, and by then they should be engaged.' But expect some pushback, Silverman said. 'They will find the barriers, so you have to have answers for that,' he explains. 'If they won't walk, suggest a stationary bike. If they won't bike, try pool walking or water aerobics. There's psychiatry involved here.' Obesity Drugs and Other Tools No conversation surrounding obesity is complete today without addressing the role that GLP-1 drugs — Wegovy, Ozempic and the like — can play. 'Weight loss is instrumental in improving cardiometabolic health and it can have a tremendous impact,' said Kohli. 'Specifically, in clinical trials of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists weight loss was associated with an improvement in waist circumference, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and a reduction in blood sugar.' Kohli said the drug class should be considered an integral part of any weight loss toolkit and admits they have become the mainstay of therapy for obesity. 'Newer evidence has shown GLP-1s improve cardiovascular outcomes as well, and reduce adverse kidney outcomes,' she adds. There are some adverse issues surrounding the weight-loss drugs that PCPs should include when counseling and potentially prescribing them to patients, however. 'They address the symptom but still don't get to the root cause of obesity,' Serwer cautions. 'And patients can lose a significant amount of weight, but much of that will come from muscle mass, so they must offset that with strength training.' Other potential pitfalls include GI distress, costs, and potential drug shortages. The drugs can sometimes cause food aversions, too, which isn't helpful when patients are trying to eat better, more nutrient dense diets. 'The biggest problem is that they don't address lifestyle changes,' said Serwer. 'If we don't address that, the weight will eventually come back.' The best news is that with patients with obesity, even small weight loss can have big impact on cardiovascular health. Said Silverman: 'When the weight comes off, patients may be able to go off most of their medications, and that's a huge benefit.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Smoking marijuana and eating cannabis gummies both linked to dangerous health risk, study finds
Long-term cannabis use in any form has been linked to a greater risk of heart disease. In a new study, researchers at UC San Francisco determined that eating edible cannabis, such as gummies, has the same impact on cardiovascular risk as smoking marijuana. The risk stems from reduced blood vessel function, according to the study, which was published in JAMA Cardiology on May 28. Heavy Cannabis Use Could Pose This Threat To The Brain The study included 55 people between 18 and 50 years of age who were "outwardly healthy." The participants were divided into three groups: those who regularly smoked marijuana, those who ate edibles containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and those who didn't use cannabis, according to a UCSF press release. Read On The Fox News App The cannabis users had been consuming the substance at least three times weekly for at least one year. On average, the smokers had the habit for 10 years, while those consuming edibles had been doing so for five years, the release noted. In September 2024, the participants underwent testing to determine how well their blood vessels functioned and whether the cells lining the blood vessels were affected. Dementia Risk Connected To Cannabis-related Hospital Visits, Says Study All cannabis users were found to have "decreased vascular function," comparable to those who smoke tobacco. Their blood vessel function was roughly half compared to those who did not use cannabis. This side effect has been linked to a higher risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions, the researchers noted. The participants who smoked marijuana were also found to have changes in their blood serum that harmed cells lining their blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, an effect that was not seen in those who ate edible cannabis. The researchers noted that while smoking marijuana and consuming edibles both affect vascular function, they likely do so for different reasons. Shingles Vaccine Has Unexpected Effect On Heart Health "Chronic cannabis smoking and THC ingestion were associated with endothelial dysfunction [impaired functioning of the endothelial cells lining the inside of blood vessels] similar to that observed in tobacco smokers, although apparently occurring via distinct mechanisms," the researchers wrote. "This study enhances the understanding of the potential risks to vascular health linked to cannabis use and provides more evidence that cannabis use is not benign." Dr. Bradley Serwer, a Maryland-based cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, said he was not surprised by the study's findings. "We have known that the chronic use of THC-containing compounds can have negative health consequences — this study just reaffirms those prior studies," Serwer, who was not involved in the UCSF research, told Fox News Digital. The study did have some limitations. "Variability in cannabis strains complicates standardization," the researchers wrote. "Self-reported cannabis use may introduce recall bias; thus, participants were queried at multiple points: in the online survey, at the eligibility interview and before each visit." It was also challenging to determine whether blood vessel function could have also been affected by lifestyle factors like stress, caffeine and secondhand smoke exposure, they noted. Serwer pointed out that this was a "very small" study of only 55 people, all living in the San Francisco Bay area. "The study did not allow for variability in the different strains of cannabis, and they used a self-reporting survey, which can be under- or over-reported," he told Fox News Digital. "They looked for physiologic endpoints and not hard endpoints, such as heart attacks, strokes or death. We have to infer that the physiologic endpoints would result in cardiovascular events." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The cardiologist said he agreed, however, with the conclusion that cannabis use is "not benign." "Chronic use does have potential cardiovascular risks," he warned. "There are therapeutic uses of cannabis, and the decision to use or avoid it should be made with all benefits and risks in mind." In general, Serwer said he cautions all of his patients to avoid any unnecessary cardiac risks. "As clinicians, we must weigh the benefits and the risks of a medicine/drug or intervention," he said. "If the risks outweigh the benefits, it should be avoided." For more Health articles, visit The study was funded mainly by the National Institute on Drug Abuse; the California Department of Cannabis Control; the California Tobacco-Related Disease Program; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and the FDA Center for Tobacco Products. Fox News Digital reached out to cannabis industry organizations requesting article source: Smoking marijuana and eating cannabis gummies both linked to dangerous health risk, study finds
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a cardiologist... here are the subtle signs of a heart attack women should NEVER ignore
Whether it was from school, TV, or that scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral, you're probably well-versed in the symptoms of a heart attack. You know the ones: pain in your left arm and heart. Or so you thought. Because a lot of what we know about science and health are based on the bodies of white, able-bodied men, often anyone who doesn't fit this description is left out of the equation. And this includes women. So because you've been conditioned to recognize the symptoms of a man, you probably wouldn't recognize if you were having a heart attack. In fact, interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at Vital Solution Dr. Bradley Serwer told that women don't even always have chest pain when they're having a heart attack. 'Instead, they may experience shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, or upper abdominal pain, dizziness or passing out,' Dr. Serwer said. And it's because of this difference in symptoms that a diagnosis can be delayed. This can have fatal repercussions. 'Though heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, they tend to present with it seven to 10 years later in life compared to men,' Dr. Serwer said. 'Due to the under recognition of heart disease in women, studies have indicated that they receive less aggressive treatment.' So what other heart attack symptoms are women potentially missing out on? Dr. Serwer said that jaw pain can be an indication, especially if they commence during moderate exercise and then subside when you rest. He also said that pain primarily located on the left side of the jaw, especially when accompanied by the absence of redness or swelling in the jaw, can be a signal that your pain is being caused by something more severe than you thought. And the idea that a shooting pain is a sign you're having a heart attack isn't totally off. If you feel pain in your neck and arm - any arm - this could be the symptom of a heart attack. And if you're having any sort of shortness of breath, perspiration, or clammy skin followed by pain, you might want to get to a doctor immediately. 'The pain should be taken more seriously if you have significant cardiac risk factors, such as a smoking history, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or a strong family history of coronary artery disease,' Dr. Serwer said. Whether you've experienced this symptoms before or they're showing up out of nowhere, it's always better to be safe than sorry - especially when it comes to your heart.
