This Heart Month, Dr. Nelly Chow, a highly trained cardiothoracic surgeon at MountainView Hospital and Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates, wants people to take time out for their heart.
Dr. Chow recently gave a “Lunch with a Doc” lecture at MountainView Hospital, talking about the advances in cardiac and thoracic surgery, including robotic heart surgery, now offered at MountainView.
“Heart health is one of the most overlooked aspects of overall well-being,” Dr. Chow began, her tone serious but encouraging. “It’s easy to forget about your heart until something goes wrong,” Dr. Chow said. “We can all take proactive steps to improve heart health long before any issues arise.”
Dr. Chow stressed while there are several non-modifiable risk factors, such as age, gender, genetic factors and race and ethnicity, there are many modifiable factors that people can control: high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood and cholesterol.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has many tips for people to improve their heart health and overall well-being. The AHA’s Life’s Essential 8™ outlines easy steps to live by:
- A healthy diet
- Physical activity
- Keeping blood pressure under control
- Health weight management
- Cholesterol management
- Blood sugar management
- Not smoke or vaping
- Getting adequate sleep and rest
Four Ways to Stay Heart Healthy
Dr. Chow expanded on some of the key areas during her talk.
1. Nutrition: The Foundation of Heart Health
“Our diets play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy heart,” Dr. Chow said. “Poor nutrition can lead to high cholesterol, hypertension and an increased risk of heart disease.”
She explained that heart-healthy eating starts with minimizing processed foods, refined sugars and unhealthy fats, such as trans fats and saturated fats found in fast food, plus baked goods and fried foods.
“Focus on eating nutrient-dense foods that provide fiber, healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals,” she said.
Dr. Chow recommended the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts. “The Mediterranean diet is high in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is a silent contributor to heart disease.”
2. Regular Physical Activity: Moving for a Healthy Heart
“Exercise is one of the most powerful tools for improving heart health,” Dr. Chow said. “It’s not just about burning calories—it’s about strengthening the heart muscle itself.”
She recommended aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
“This could include activities like brisk walking, cycling or swimming,” she said. “But if you’re pressed for time, breaking it up into shorter sessions of 10 to 15 minutes is still beneficial.
3. Keeping Cholesterol and Blood Pressure in Check
Dr. Chow shared that physical activity also helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL), raise good cholesterol (HDL), and maintain a healthy weight—all factors that reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Regular exercise also helps to improve circulation and keep blood pressure in check,” she said.
4. Not Smoking or Vaping
Smoking and vaping both have significant negative effects on heart health. Smoking introduces harmful chemicals, such as nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide into the bloodstream. These substances can raise blood pressure, damage blood vessels, and increase the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and narrowing of arteries. As the blood vessels become less flexible, the heart has to work harder to pump blood, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
Adopting a health lifestyle can go a long way to improving heart health, Dr. Chow said.
She also shared that symptoms of a heart attack may be different for men and women. For instance, men are more likely to have chest pain, while women are more likely to have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, extreme fatigue, sudden dizziness or cold sweats.
She recommended talking to your primary care physician or a cardiologist if you have concerns or symptoms regarding heart health.
Meet Dr. Chow
Dr. Chow joined MountainView Hospital and its patient clinic, MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates recently and brings a wealth of experience to Las Vegas, having completed an advanced Thoracic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems and a General Surgery Residency at the Sunrise Health Graduate Medical Education Consortium, based at MountainView Hospital.
Dr. Chow is recognized for her expertise in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including robotic procedures for lung cancer resection and mediastinal mass removal, and for her work in hyperhidrosis management. Her commitment to patient care is demonstrated through her active participation in cutting-edge research, including her recent publication on robotic resection of large anterior mediastinal masses.
She attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree and Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, where she earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. She was General Surgery Chief Resident during her residency at the Sunrise Health Graduate Medical Education Consortium and attended the University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems for a thoracic surgery fellowship.
Dr. Chow is a board-certified general surgeon, and has been recognized with many honors, including the Dr. Peter Vajtai Award of Excellence in Cardiothoracic Surgery in 2017. She also received the Glasgow-Rubin Citation for Academic Achievement by the American Medical Women’s Association, presented to women in the top 10 percent of their graduating medical school class.
About MountainView Hospital
MountainView Hospital is a state-of-the-art, full-service medical facility located in the heart of northwest Las Vegas. It has been named a Top 100 Hospital in America two years in a row, by Healthgrades – the only hospital in Nevada to be named to this prestigious list.
With a dedicated and talented staff of employees and outstanding physicians, MountainView Hospital is recognized for high patient satisfaction and for providing quality and compassionate care to our community since 1996.
MountainView is a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital and several surgery, diagnostic imaging, urgent care centers and hospital-based emergency rooms, offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services.
To learn more about Dr. Nelly Chow and the MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates, please visit www.heartandlungnv.com or call 702-962-5920.