Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Fall 2021

FAMILY HEALTH 6 Your heart changes with age People age 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to have chest pain, a heart attack, a stroke or heart disease. Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels. The most common aging change is increased stiffness of the large arteries, called arteriosclerosis ( ahr-teer-ee-o-skluh-roh-sis ). This causes high blood pressure, or hypertension. High blood pressure becomes more common as we age. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent or control high blood pressure. This can help you lower your risk of a heart attack and heart disease. Source: National Institute on Aging What is lead poisoning? Lead poisoning builds up in your body over a period of months or years. Lead is a metal that’s found in nature, deep within the ground. It also exists in the air, soil, water and even in our homes. Lead is also found in some candies and salt products imported from East Indian, Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian and Hispanic cultures. It also can be found in paint, pottery, household dust, water pipes, imported canned goods, and herbal or folk remedies. Lead poisoning symptoms include: y High blood pressure. y Joint and muscle pain. y Memory/concentration difficulty. y Headache. y Abdominal pain. y Mood disorders. y Seizures. It can also damage the kidneys, nervous system and brain development, where irreversible damage can occur. Do you have more questions about lead poisoning? Please visit your doctor or call the Kern Public Health Services Department at 661-321-3000 . Knowledge is power Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Body: breaking out in a cold sweat; fatigue or weakness Shoulders or arms: pain or discomfort in one or both Stomach: pain or discomfort; nausea; vomiting Back: pain or discomfort Neck or jaw: pain or discomfort Head: dizziness; light- headedness Lungs: shortness of breath Chest: pain or discomfort Learn to spot symptoms of a heart attack You could have one or more of these: CALL 911 if you’re having symptoms of a heart attack.