Grove City Man Shares Heart Attack Experience To Highlight the Importance of Heart Health

While ringing in the new year, many people chose to make new year’s resolutions. For some, the new year is a great start to eating better or losing weight. An overlooked, unseeable, benefit from these goals is increasing your heart health. 

Jeffery Goodman, 55, from Grove City suffered from a heart attack over the summer. He showed no indication of poor heart health, so this came as a surprise. 

An OhioHealth Doctors Hospital Interventional Cardiologist, Laura Flannery, MD, tells 10TV, “I think it was a surprise to him as it is for a lot of people who do try to take care of themselves,” 

In his recovery, the focus is toward a balanced diet. The holidays can be a tough time for those who are trying to maintain their heart health. Goodman said he has a sweet tooth, but now eat sweets in moderation. 

As resolutions continue in full swing, Dr. Flannery recommends balance. “They don't have to completely restrict from everything that they like to do but it is important to just be in moderation and realize there's a lot of food that's highly processed, highly salted, high in cholesterol and you want to minimize what you're eating." 

Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack can save lives. Common symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, or an uncomfortable sensation if your arm, jaw, neck or back. Dizziness, nausea, sweating, clammy skin can also be indications of a heart attack. Women often have more mild symptoms. With the classic symptoms, women can also experience palpitations, indigestion, fatigue, or flu like symptoms. 

If you think you or someone close to you is having a heart attack, call 911. 

To learn more about OhioHealth’s advanced emergency heart attack care, visit Heart Attack | OhioHealth