Know How To Be ‘Heart Healthier’

February is the recommended time for Americans to focus on their cardiovascular health, and it is vitally important to know the facts.

Take heed: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US for men and women of most all ethnic groups, with an estimated one death due to a heart attack occurring every 40 seconds.

That’s the equivalent of about one in every five deaths overall.

It’s sobering to note that Ripley County ranks seventh in the state for deaths by heart attack. Of neighboring counties, Oregon ranks 9th, Shannon 27th, Carter 30th, and Butler 35th.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack, because in about one in five cases heart attacks are silent...the damage is done, but the victim is not aware that it has happened.

Symptoms may include:

* Chest pressure, tightness, and/or heaviness: Most heart attacks involve some level of pain or discomfort in the chest. The discomfort may last for more than a few minutes. It may go away and come back.

* Extreme fatigue: Unusual or extreme tiredness that lasts for days or weeks can be a sign of heart trouble (especially for women).

* Fainting and/or light-headedness: This sensation is often accompanied with dizziness, extreme weakness or anxiety.

* Nausea: A feeling of being sick to one’s stomach can sometimes be heart-related, especially if present with other symptoms.

* Pain in shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms: The onset of unusual, “oppressive burning or crushing” pain which is not associated with arthritis or known injury can be a symptom.

It should be noted that jaw pain is sometimes the only heart attack symptom experienced by women.

* Shortness of breath (with or without chest pain): Heart attack sufferers can have trouble breathing for no apparent reason.

* Sweating: In females, this may feel similar to hormonal hot flashes or night sweats.

While genetics can play a strong role in a person’s likelihood of becoming a heart patient, it’s possible to improve one’s chances with a dedicated heart-conscious health regimen.

The best preventative plan includes being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet and being aware of symptoms and risk factors, one of which is smoking.

Most people are aware that they need to eat well-balanced meals, and they already know what foods and drinks should be avoided.

Seek opportunities for increasing physical activity and you shall surely find them. Some suggestions are:

* Leave the nearest parking spots for someone else. By parking further away, you add steps.

* Join a walking club or find a partner with whom to walk. The buddy system tends to keep walkers “on track.”

* Can’t find a buddy? Walk the dog, instead.

* Make it a habit to walk and talk while you are on your cell phone.

* Get a bike.

* Take the stairs rather than use an elevator.

* While watching TV, jog in place during commercials.

* Invest in a 10-minute cardio workout video.

It is also important to have regular check-ups and to receive treatment for contributing health issues which can lead to heart diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

The heart is not only the body’s most vital organ, but based on endurance it is also it’s hardest working muscle.

Therefore, it behooves all of us to be kind to it.