Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine
“You don’t look like you’ve been feeling good,” said Lois to her husband of 46 years. “I think you should see the doctor.”
“I feel fine,” Harold replied. “I don’t want to go to the doctor.”
Lois made an appointment anyway.
A week later, Harold visited his primary care physician. He explained how he has been feeling and mentioned that he went for a walk, had to rest because he was tired and had a slight pain in his chest, but dismissed it as indigestion. “I want to do an EKG to make sure it was nothing,” said the physician.
It was something: The results showed that the man had a heart attack. They physician expressed the urgency for him to see a cardiologist. That following week the cardiologist told the husband that he had 100% blockage on the right side of his heart and 80% blockage on the left side. Two days later, the husband had a successful triple by-pass surgery.
“Thank you for saving my life,” Harold said at a follow-up with his primary care physician.
Your primary care physician (PCP) is the first line of defense in your health. They play an important role in health care as they evaluate risk factors, perform diagnostic testing and look for evidence of other diseases. PCPs diagnose and treat common illnesses and discover other health problems before they become serious. Like Harold’s PCP did, they also assess the urgency of medical problems and direct patients to the best place for specialty care when needed.
Know the signs of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort- Tight ache, pressure, fullness, squeezing. This can come and go.
• Upper body pain- Shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. This can happen without chest pain.
• Stomach pain- Pain can extend to your abdominal area and feel like heartburn/indigestion.
• Shortness of breath- You may pant or take deep breaths and may or may not experience chest discomfort.
• Anxiety- Feeling of a panic attack for no reason
• Lightheadedness- Feeling of dizziness or like you might pass out
• Sweating- Break into a sudden sweat and have cold, clammy skin
• Nausea and vomiting- Feel sick to your stomach

Heart attack symptoms vary widely, so it is important not to downplay your symptoms and excuse them as something else like indigestion or anxiety. If you suspect you could be having a heart attack call for emergency medical treatment immediately. It could save your life.
If you are in need of a primary care physician, call 217-545-8000 and ask for the Center for Family Medicine. Our FQHC status gives us the opportunity to care for anyone regardless if you have health insurance or not. We are also a sign up location for people who are in need of health insurance.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
*patients’ names have been changed.