Health & Wellness
Local Cardiologist Shares Life-Saving Tips for Heart Month
For Raed Fahmy, MD, FACC, a cardiologist at St. Anthony Hospital, the fight against heart disease is personal. Witnessing his father die from a heart attack at 18 years old has fueled his lifelong mission to help others avoid a similar, devastating situation.
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“Where I grew up, there were very limited treatment options,” he recalls. “The ambulance arrived, provided oxygen, and he passed away at home. It was devastating.”
Today, armed with the latest technology, cutting-edge treatments and integrated experience, Dr. Fahmy and the full team at Franciscan Heart & Vascular Associates at St. Anthony treats patients 18 years and older for a wide-range of cardiology conditions–from high blood pressure to coronary artery disease and heart failure. Most patients are cared for locally and those in need of more advanced cardiac care may be seamlessly transferred to St. Joseph Medical Center or St. Michael Medical Center, as needed.
“We see it all,” Dr. Fahmy explains.
During Heart Month this February, the heart team urges everyone to prioritize their heart health and to stay proactive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country with one person dying every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
Prevention remains the best defense against cardiovascular disease, starting with the basics of a healthy diet and regular exercise. According to the American Heart Association, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Experts also encourage people to live tobacco free and manage known conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
In addition, everyone–no matter their age–can benefit from the following key steps:
- Explore your family history–Understanding family history will help assess your risks for diabetes, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular conditions.
- Know your numbers–Knowing your cholesterol and blood pressure level is key to being proactive with your heart health. A level of 120/80 is a desirable blood pressure number, and anything above that should be evaluated by a doctor.
- Don’t ignore new symptoms–Common symptoms of heart disease often appear during exertion, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, and excessive sweating. Some people can mistake burning in the chest for reflux, but it can be more serious than that.
- Stay connected with a primary care physician–Your primary care physician can be the best resource to help you track your numbers, evaluate symptoms, stay up-to-date on family history, and ensure you have a referral to be seen by a cardiologist, if needed.
“We have new technology, less invasive procedures, and many surgical options, but the whole point is not to get there,” Dr. Fahmy shared. ”The hope is to prevent you from getting to that one day where you would need to rush into the hospital for an emergency.”
St. Anthony Hospital provides a comprehensive range of heart care, from preventive and less invasive procedures to more advanced interventions. Services include everything from nuclear stress testing to echocardiograms, diagnostics, device implantations (like pacemakers) and more.
Upcoming Event of Note:
For youth (ages 12-24) interested in free heart screenings, an event will be held on Saturday, March 8, in collaboration with the Seattle Seahawks, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Nick of Time Foundation.
- Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
- Location: Virginia Mason Athletic Center – 12 Seahawks Way, Renton, Wash.
- Time: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- An appointment is required. Sign up here.
This article is provided by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and St. Anthony Hospital, which sponsors Gig Harbor Now’s Health and Wellness coverage. Gig Harbor Now retains editorial control over its health and wellness coverage under the sponsorship agreement.