SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — September 29 marked World Heart Day, a global effort to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and the early signs of heart disease. San Diego cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Alexandra Kharazi says the day is an important reminder that heart disease often doesn’t look like what people expect.
“We all picture this ‘Hollywood heart attack’—someone clutching their chest and collapsing to the ground,” Dr. Kharazi explained. “That image is really misleading. Heart disease can present in so many different ways.”
According to Dr. Kharazi, early symptoms often go unnoticed, especially in women and people living with diabetes. Instead of severe chest pain, patients may experience what doctors call atypical symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue
- Dizziness
- Jaw, neck, or back pain
- A general feeling of being unwell
“I’ve even had patients say they just don’t feel right or that their energy levels are lower every day,” said Dr. Kharazi. “That’s why it’s so important to listen to your body and share these changes with your doctor.”
Dr. Kharazi emphasized that heart screenings should not be delayed until later in life. While guidelines exist, individual factors such as family history, cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle risks can shift the timeline for when testing should begin.
“One of my friends was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with high cholesterol, even though she was active and appeared healthy,” Dr. Kharazi noted. “The takeaway is that everyone is different, and having that conversation with your primary care doctor about when to start screening is key.”
Screenings may include routine blood work, echocardiograms, stress tests, or other evaluations depending on the patient’s risk profile.
Dr. Kharazi encourages San Diegans to use World Heart Day as a reminder to take proactive steps.
“The big risk factors we look at are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and family history. Knowing where you stand can help you prevent heart disease before it becomes life-threatening,” she said.
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