February observed as 'Heart Smart' month

The American Heart Association reports nearly 801,000 people in the U.S. died from heart disease, stroke and other heart diseases in 2013. That's about one of every three deaths in America. They also report heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the world and the leading cause of death in the United States.

With alarming numbers at hand, the American Heart Association has declared February as Heart Smart month.

So throughout the month of February, Purdue Extension will share tips on its Facebook page about heart disease, and ways to be heart smart. However, prior to sharing tips about cardiovascular disease, information about heart disease must be shared

"Heart and blood vessel disease -- also called heart disease -- includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke" (American Heart Association, 2015).

A heart attack transpires if the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. In the event the clot cuts off the blood flow entirely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die.

The world's first successful heart surgery was performed by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. During the time that Dr. Williams practiced medicine most of his patients were seen in their homes, which included performing occasional surgeries on kitchen tables.

Research shows Dr. Williams practiced sterilization and sanitation practices to the best of his ability, and gained a representation of professionalism for doing so. So much so that after years of conducting home visits, Dr. Williams opened Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, the nation's first hospital with a nursing and intern program that had a racially integrated staff. He also served as a surgeon at Providence.

However, it was on July 9, 1983 that Dr. Williams gained his medical credibility by conducting world's first successful heart surgery on James Cornish.

Cornish, a man with a severe stab wound to his chest was brought to Provident. Dr. Williams inspected the wound between two ribs, exposing the breastbone. He cut the rib cartilage and created a small trapdoor to the heart.

"Underneath, he found a damaged left internal mammary artery and sutured it. Then, inspecting the pericardium (the sac around the heart) he saw that the knife had left a gash near the right coronary artery. With the heart beating and transfusion impossible, Williams rinsed the wound with salt solution, held the edges of the palpitating wound with forceps, and sewed them together. Just 51 days after his apparently lethal wound, James Cornish walked out of the hospital. He lived for over 20 years after the surgery. The landmark operation was hailed in the press." (PBS, 2015).

After successfully completing the surgery, Dr. Williams was appointed chief surgeon at Freedman's Hospital, Washington, D.C. He also co-founded the National Medical Association, a professional organization for African-American practitioners.

Researchers state it is the work of Dr. Williams that has paved the way for many surgeons today, and has influenced many medical practices completed today.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 3 -- Be Heart Smart Program, 6 p.m., Purdue Extension conference room.

Feb. 4 -- Women and Business Succession Planning Program, Turkey Run State Park, 5:30 p.m. Call 765-569-3176 to register.

Feb. 6 -- Clinic "4-H Grows Knowledge," Cloverdale Knoy Center.

Feb. 11 -- Understanding the Business Side of Ag, Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m., $5 per family. Register at 653-8411.

Feb. 17 -- Exploring 4-H first meeting, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.

Feb. 27 -- Beef and Dairy Steer/X-bred Heifer weigh-in/tagging, Fairgrounds, 8 a.m.-noon.