SMOKING AND VAPING INCREASE HEART ATTACK RISK

I think most people now know that smoking is not good for your health and that includes your heart. Be aware that smoking includes vaping or e-cigarettes. Vaping causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate and is associated with a greater risk of stroke or heart attack. If you are not able to stop smoking or vaping on your own, talk to your doctor. He/she knows of programs and/or medications to help you break the smoking habit.

 

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IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

It is important to know the signs of a heart attack; it could save your life. If not your life, possibly the life of a friend or loved one. One you have probably heard several times, but it is still applicable, is the "elephant on the chest" one. Never ignore that sign which applies to both men and women. But women beware that women often have no chest pain. When I had a heart attack many years ago, I became very lightheaded and nauseous. The stomach flu was going around at work, so I assumed I had caught it. Thankfully, my late husband was watching me and caught me as I started to fall. I never had chest pain.

In addition to the elephant on the chest feeling, below are more signs of a heart attack you should be aware of:

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• A cold sweat, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Pain in the back, the neck, the jaw, the stomach, or one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting

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HEART DISEASE EQUAL FOR SEXES

Heart disease was long thought to be more prevalent in men than women, but we know that is not true.  Heart disease is currently the #1 killer of both sexes nationwide.  And would you believe something so simple as sprinkling slivered almonds on your morning cereal can benefit your heart?  As with all good things, don't go overboard.  However, a sprinkling of this healthy nut can lower the risk of heart disease by reducing levels of harmful LDL cholesterol.  Also, the antioxidants and vitamin E that are found in the skins of almonds might prevent plaque from forming on the artery walls.  And make sure that cereal you sprinkle them on is whole grain which will help keep your blood pressure in check (a big risk for heart disease!).  Have that with low-fat milk!

 File Photo sliced almonds with skin on. Use almonds in the skin.

HEART ATTACK

Note: This is a post from my diabetic blog but it also applies to anyone!

As we diabetics know, diabetes over the long term causes damage to other areas and makes us more likely to suffer heart disease along with other problems. Did you know that many people, especially women, who have heart attacks do not have any or severe chest pain? In addition to chest pain, other signs of heart attack can include chest pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, excessive sweating, fainting, dizziness, heart palpitations, and left arm pain. If you think you or a loved one may be suffering a heart attack, call 911 and chew an aspirin-full dose 325 mg. The sooner heart attacks are treated, the better. When blood flow is cut off to any part of the heart during an attack, that heart muscle may become damaged or die.

HEART DISEASE ADVICE

Less than 20% of women think they are at risk for heart disease even though it is the #1 killer in America. Ladies make sure you are eating a heart-healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and know the signs of a heart attack - women and men usually suffer different symptoms. There are many posts on this blog to help you with both. Take the time to read them.

CHOCOLATE TO CUT YOUR HEART ATTACK RISK?

Good news for chocoholics!  Studies have shown that eating chocolate can cut your risk of heart problems by one-third. However, read on! The chocolate you eat should be high in cacao content - at least 70%. And you should limit your chocolate indulgences to no more than two ounces a day, especially if weight is a problems for you. Remember that excess body weight is a big contributor to heart disease.

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WOMEN AND WALKING

Almost all of us can walk.  If you can walk, you need to be doing so.  I am a big advocate of taking a far from the door parking space at the mall, carrying in groceries, etc, one bag at a time, taking the stairs when possible, etc.  These simple things keep you moving and give you much needed exercise.  But I am talking about real walking here, at least 20 to 30 minutes at a time.  Consider these facts:

• According to a Harvard Medical School study, walking just three hours a week cuts the risk of heart attack and stroke in women ages 40 to 65 by 40%.
• Women who walk 40 to 45 minutes 5 times a week are sick with colds or flu only half as often as sedentary women.  This information comes from Appalachian State University.

Just those two statistics alone should be enough to get one moving!  And there are many more benefits to walking.

The good thing about walking is that it is available to almost everyone.  No expensive equipment, a gym is not required, etc.  According to Kathy Smith, a fitness instructor, "Walking is an equal opportunity exercise.  There aren't any biases against uncoordinated people, and everyone knows how to do it.  It's a 'no excuses' workout because you don't need equipment or a gym."

The statistics in this post are on women.  However, walking is a good exercise for men, women, and children!

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HEART ATTACKS AND CANCER ARE RELATIVELY NEW DISEASES

You may think heart attacks and cancer are diseases that have been around forever, but they are not. The first heart attack was described in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1908. Both of these diseases were unheard of before 1905. Could it be our diet and sedentary lifestyle play a role?

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