Symptoms and Prevention of Heart Attacks

Hello everyone! Forgive me for not checking in with you in a while. I have been involved in a new "old home" project that has finally been completed. When the news hit the airwaves this morning that comedian Rosie O'Donnell recently suffered a major heart attack it got me to thinking about how important it is at our age to be totally aware of the signs and symptoms that we should be on the lookout for. I don't know about you but there have been many times that I have overworked myself to the point of exhaustion and have secretly wondered if I might be pushing myself too hard and in doing so risking a health crisis.  Rosie stated that when she started feeling ill she immediately took an aspirin because she heard in a commercial that it was a good idea to do so at the onset of symptoms. While this is good advice, we need to remember that it is important to listen to our bodies all the time. Waiting until we feel chest pains might be a little too late to take action. Very often, as women we do not want to be perceived as being hysterical , so we  minimize seeking medical attention when we start feeling ill. When women finally do seek medical attention, often times the doctor will dismiss the patient by attributing the symptoms to anxiety, stress or indigestion.

Warning signs women should never ignore:

If you are experiencing any of the following listed symptoms it is important for you to seek emergency care immediately. Also, go ahead and take an aspirin to help keep a blood clot from getting bigger.
When a heart attack strikes, getting medical help within the first hour reduces the risk of dying by 50 percent. If you have any of these warning signs, call 911.

• Shortness of breath. During a heart attack, or in some cases, days or even weeks preceding the attack, many women report gasping as if they’d just run a marathon or having trouble talking, one study reported.
• Non-chest pain. Instead of an explosive pain in the chest, women may develop less severe pain in the upper back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or arm. Get immediate medical help if you have any unusual symptom above the waist, even if it’s not in your chest.
• Unusual fatigue. In one study of female heart attack survivors, 71 percent experienced unusual fatigue in the days and weeks before the attack—often so extreme that the women were too fatigued to make their bed, lift a laptop, or walk to the mailbox.
• Heavy sweating. Women may be suddenly drenched with sweat for no apparent reason. Frequently, women feel both hot and chilled, with clammy skin, during a heart attack, as happened to O’Donnell.
• Nausea or dizziness. During an attack, women frequently vomit or feel like they’re going to faint. The nausea can also feel like heartburn.
• Anxiety. Many women experience a feeling of impending doom or intense fear before or during a heart attack. Heeding that inner warning can be lifesaving.

Tips to prevent a heart attack include the following:

• Don't smoke!
• Keep your weight in check. If you are overweight, losing as little as 10-20 pounds can help lower your risk for heart disease.
• Exercise regularly. In addition to helping control your weight, exercise can help lower your blood pressure, relieve stress and tone the heart and blood vessels.
• Learn how to manage your stress and anxiety levels.
• Follow a heart-healthy diet. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid salty foods and foods high in cholesterol and fat.
• Have a yearly physical to get your numbers checked, especially your cholesterol and blood pressure readings.

Remember everyone, healthy living over 50 is in our best interest. Life is just beginning for us!