Recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack can save a life. Knowing when to seek emergency medical care can help begin treatment as quickly as possible.

• Chest discomfort. Most people having a heart attack feel discomfort in the center of the chest. It can last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return. 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 the:
  • Arms (one or both)
  • Back
  • Neck
  • Jaw
  • Stomach
• Shortness of breath. This can happen with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs. Other possible signs include:
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Nausea
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Feeling unusually tired
  • Feeling lightheaded

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain (angina) or discomfort. But women may have other symptoms that are typically less associated with heart attack, such as:

• Anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Pain in the shoulder, back or arm
• Unusual tiredness and weakness

If someone experiences these symptoms, immediately call 911 or seek emergency medical care at the nearest hospital. To learn more about cardiology services at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) or to schedule an appointment with a PMC cardiologist, call 606-430-2201 or visit www.pmcky.org/heart.

Start with Heart-Healthy Eating

Eating heart-healthy foods is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of a heart attack. By choosing nutritious ingredients and building balanced meals, you can make healthy eating both enjoyable and sustainable.

Physicians encourage patients to choose foods with fewer added ingredients, especially added salt, unhealthy fats and sugar. Reading food labels and understanding personal goals for fat, calories and sodium can make it easier to stay on target.

Fruits and vegetables are key to a heart-healthy diet because they do not contain added fats, sugar or sodium.

When buying frozen or canned produce, read labels:

• Look for types that do not have anything added to the fruits or vegetables, such as sauces, gravies, or seasonings.
• Canned vegetables may be high in sodium. However, there are many lower-sodium or salt-free varieties.

Breads, Cereals & Grains

• Look for products with whole grains (such as whole wheat, rye, or oats) as the first ingredient.
• Breads with at least 2 grams (g) of fiber per serving are good choices.
• Select cereals that contain at least 5g fiber per serving.
• Limit cereals that list added sugars on the label.
• Check the label for the amount of sodium if on a reduced-sodium plan.

Milk & Dairy

• Choose nonfat (skim), ½%-fat, or 1%-fat milk.
• Look for tasty cheeses that are low in saturated fat and sodium. Choose them more often than regular cheese.

Meats and Other Protein Foods

• When choosing chicken or other poultry, look for breast or white meat without the skin
• When choosing beef and veal, pick cuts without much marbling (fat). Healthy types include round steak, tenderloin, and sirloin tips.
• Lean center cuts are the best cuts of pork and lamb.
• Canned fish (such as tuna) can be high in sodium. Choose low-sodium brands.
• Add vegetarian entrees and vegetable protein foods, like beans, veggie burgers or tofu. Look for products that are low in saturated fat and sodium and high in fiber.

Other Foods & Desserts

• Convenience foods, such as canned soups, pasta sauces and prepackaged or frozen dinner entrees and side dishes can be high in sodium and/or fat. Read labels and choose carefully.
• There are many snack foods that can be enjoyed:
  • Nuts, seeds, and pretzels make good snacks. Avoid those with added salt.
  • Keep sodium and saturated fat limits in mind while shopping.
  • Look for snacks that are free of trans fat. If the ingredients include hydrogenated oil, then the food has trans fat.
• It is okay to have desserts occasionally:
  • Fresh fruit and nonfat or low-fat frozen yogurt are good choices.
  • There are many kinds of reduced-fat and fat-free candies, cakes, cookies, pastries and frozen desserts. They may fit within a person’s limits for fat and sodium. However, many fat-free or low-fat desserts are high in calories and low in healthy nutrients. Have them only occasionally.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either by a clot blocking an artery (ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel bursting and causing bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The consequences of both can be devastating, leading to disability or even death. Being able to identify stroke symptoms promptly can make a huge difference in saving lives and reducing the risk of long-term disability. PMC emphasizes the acronym “BE FAST” as a simple tool for recognizing stroke signs:

B– Balance: Sudden loss of balance or dizziness

E– Eyes: Vision changes

F– Face Drooping: One side of the face drooping or numb

A– Arms: Arm or leg weakness, specifically on one side

S– Speech: Slurred speech or hard to understand

T– Time: If any of these signs are present, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Keeping track of when symptoms begin can help the healthcare team diagnose and treat patients more effectively. Stroke Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder of the impact a stroke can have on individuals, families and communities. By increasing awareness, promoting prevention strategies and advocating for timely treatment, the burden of strokes can be reduced, and outcomes can be improved for stroke survivors. By keeping these things in mind, more lives can be saved in the fight against strokes.

Knowing the risk factors for a stroke may help prevent one from occurring, and patients can learn about their risk factors by having regular medical checkups. Risk factors include high blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and excessive alcohol intake. Increased age, women, and those with a family history of stroke are also more likely to experience one.

Through regular checkups, patients will be educated about some risk factors that can be changed or treated by medication or lifestyle changes. It is critical for those who have experienced a stroke to manage their risk factors and take any medications as prescribed. The risk of another stroke is ten times greater in patients who have already had a stroke than in those who have never experienced one.

As Stroke Awareness Month continues, PMC encourages community members to take an active role in protecting their health by learning the warning signs, understanding personal risk factors and seeking care without delay. Through education, prevention and advanced treatment options, the organization remains committed to reducing the impact of stroke across the region. When it comes to stroke, every second matters, and knowing what to do could save a life.

To learn more about stroke signs and prevention, visit www.pmcky.org/stroke-center.

Nationally Recognized Stroke Care

Neurology is the study and treatment of disorders and diseases related to the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. At the Eastern Kentucky Neuroscience Center at PMC, neurologists play a critical role in diagnosing and treating patients with neurological conditions like stroke.

PMC Neurologists Dr. Naveed Ahmed and Dr. Ryan Owens collaborate closely with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons, radiologists and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care to patients. They use various diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to assess a patient’s condition and determine the appropriate treatment. Neurologists also treat patients with degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Stroke, also known as a “brain attack,” is one of the most common neurological conditions. Neurologists use various options when caring for a patient who has suffered a stroke, such as clot-busting medications or surgical procedures to minimize the damage and help patients recover.

At PMC, neurologists and emergency department providers utilize advanced technology to help identify certain types of strokes quickly and effectively. The software is linked directly to a CT scanner, which uses rotating X-ray machines to create detailed images of a patient’s head, displaying bones, blood vessels and the brain.

This technology can quickly identify suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, which happen when one of the brain’s major arteries is blocked, stopping the supply of blood and oxygen. Once a stroke is identified, stroke specialists are notified almost immediately. Many times, while the patient is still in the CT machine, neurologists can view the detailed images on their smartphones and begin treatment. PMC was the first hospital in eastern Kentucky to utilize this state-of-the-art technology.

Through innovation, collaboration and a commitment to excellence, PMC continues to elevate neurological care across eastern Kentucky. By combining advanced technology with the expertise of its dedicated providers, the hospital provides stroke patients with timely, life-saving treatment close to home. As the region’s leader in neuroscience services, the hospital remains focused on improving outcomes, enhancing quality of life and bringing hope to patients and families when it matters most.

For more information on advanced neurology care at PMC, visit www.pmcky.org/neurology.

National Nurses Week

PMC is proud to recognize National Nurses Week, held May 6-12, as a time to honor the compassion, dedication and resilience of nurses who serve patients across eastern Kentucky.

At PMC, nurses are more than caregivers. They are advocates, educators and a steady source of comfort for patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. From clinic to bedside, nurses play a vital role in delivering high-quality care close to home.

What began more than a century ago as a small 50-bed hospital has grown into a regional referral center with more than 3,000 employees and hundreds of providers serving patients across the region. Within that growth, nursing has remained at the heart of PMC’s mission to advance the health and well-being of the community through compassionate, patient-centered care.

Every day, PMC nurses embody the organization’s core values of quality, teamwork and integrity. They work alongside physicians, advanced practice providers and support staff to provide comprehensive care across more than 400 services and specialties. Whether assisting with life-saving procedures, guiding patients through recovery or offering reassurance during uncertain times, their impact extends far beyond the bedside.

National Nurses Week is also an opportunity to recognize the next generation of nurses. The organization continues to invest in education and professional development, helping prepare skilled caregivers who will carry forward a tradition of excellence in Appalachian healthcare.

As PMC celebrates National Nurses Week 2026, the organization extends its deepest gratitude to every nurse who chooses to serve. Their dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and families throughout the region.

Measuring just under 1.6 millimeters in diameter, this groundbreaking technology provides a less invasive approach to restoring a patient’s natural heart rhythm. The OmniaSecure lead is currently the smallest and thinnest implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead available, representing a significant advancement in cardiac rhythm management. The milestone procedure highlights another step forward for the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center as it continues to expand access to leading-edge cardiovascular care across the region.

“At Pikeville Medical Center, we believe our patients deserve access to the most advanced care available, without having to leave the mountains they call home,” said Donovan Blackburn, President and CEO of Pikeville Medical Center. “For more than 100 years, we have been committed to bringing innovative medical technology to Eastern Kentucky, and this milestone procedure by Dr. Souza and his team is another example of that promise in action.”

The OmniaSecure lead is implanted using a minimally invasive catheter-based technique that allows physicians to precisely place the device within the heart. Once connected to an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) generator, the lead continuously monitors the patient’s heart rhythm and can deliver pacing or life-saving electrical therapy if a dangerous arrhythmia occurs.

“This device’s extremely small size, combined with the catheter-based delivery method we use, helps reduce the risk of complications while providing powerful protection against dangerous heart rhythms,” explained Dr. Souza. “I am extremely proud to say we are using the smallest device of its kind on the market and are the first hospital in this part of the state to offer it to our patients.”

Heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias, occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heartbeat do not function properly. This can cause the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly, potentially leading to serious complications, including cardiac arrest. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators play a critical role in monitoring these conditions and delivering immediate therapy when needed.

The successful implantation further highlights Pikeville Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to bringing innovative cardiovascular treatments to Eastern Kentucky, expanding access to advanced care close to home without the need to travel outside the region.

About Pikeville Medical Center

Pikeville Medical Center is a 348-licensed-bed regional referral center and Kentucky’s only level II trauma center. PMC offers over 400 services, including most major specialties and many subspecialties and features the region’s most advanced medical technology. PMC employs over 3,700 people and has over 600 credentialed healthcare providers.

PMC’s mission is to advance the health and well-being of our region through comprehensive care in a Christian environment.