THE HEART OF THE MATTER - February is National Heart Month

(CHICAGO, IL)…Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Coronavirus; all grab headlines on a regular basis. Yet, the nation’s leading killer, Heart Disease, has remained in the ‘top spot’ as the cause of death and, as is many of its symptoms, often silent.

Cardiovascular Disease is the umbrella term for all diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels, which can cause coronary heart disease (clogged arteries), heart attacks, stroke and periphery artery disease to name a few. 1 in 3 deaths can be attributed to cardiovascular disease, claiming 800,000 lives per year in the United States (National Institutes of Health).

The heart itself is the workhouse of our body, quietly pumping blood and keeping our systems in working order, yet for all of these efforts, is often overlooked or minimized in the eyes of the ‘owner’. “Nothing seems to strike fear in the minds of most than, for example, a diagnosis of cancer,” says Elizabeth Kaveny, Managing Partner of Kaveny + Kroll Trial Lawyers (www.kavenykroll.com) in Chicago. “Yet, as an advocate in the area of medical errors and malpractice, I have seen firsthand that many, patients and physicians, can overlook the obvious.”

While heart disease certainly has a strong genetic component, it also can be the result of poor lifestyle choices including carrying too much weight, a lack of exercise, a diet too heavy in fat and sodium, smoking and unregulated stress. While surgeries to repair blocked arteries and other heart issues are far more commonplace, Kaveny reminds us that these procedures are quite complex and not without their share of issues before, during and afterwards. “February is a great time, at the beginning of the year, to be proactive in caring for your heart and circulatory system,” she says. “The safest surgery is not to have surgery at all. Instead, take steps, however small, towards a healthier lifestyle.”

Regular visits to the physician, or cardiologist if recommended, are also crucial steps to staying on top of a situation that, in most cases, can be managed. “Respect the Red,” says Kaveny. “Your life depends on it!”

 

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Kaveny + Kroll Trial Lawyers (www.kavenykroll.com) is a leading boutique medical malpractice and personal injury law firm in Chicago. They were established in 2019 by award-winning attorneys Elizabeth A. Kaveny and Jeffrey J. Kroll.  The firm is driven by a commitment to justice and the need to fight for victim’s rights and financial recovery. At Kaveny + Kroll, we believe a valued law firm should take your case personally … because it is.