Dont Ignore the Signs

Last night I attended a memorial service for a 40 year old man who was a father, a husband, a son, a brother,a friend. He died in his sleep Sunday morning in his bed. He had watched tv the night before with his wife, started having some pains shoot down his arm and went to bed. That was the last time she ever saw him alive. Adam ignored the signs Saturday night and as I understand, he had done so in the past as well. Adam had lost his job a while back, was working as a contractor and had no insurance. He probably did not want to have an added expense of medical bills added to what I am sure was a an already stressful finanaical situation. He ignored the signs hoping they would go away. Adam died.

Today, I just felt compelled to share with you the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. I have 4 followers on this blog that probably already know this information and I am sure that the others that read it probably know too. However, sometimes we have to be reminded of what we already know just to keep it fresh in our memory. I work with heart patients daily and I just think that it is a good idea to know the different symptoms to look for and to know that they can be very different for men and women.

The following information comes from the American Heart Association, go their website here: AHA

Heart Attack Signs in Women
1.Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2.Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3.Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4.Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5.As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

Heart Attack signs in Men
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

•Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
•Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
•Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
•Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Theere are just a few things you can start doing today to help decrease your chances of having a heart attack. Quit smoking!! Eat a well balanced, healthy diet. Start some sort of exercise routine, even if it is just 15-20 minutes, get up and move!! Learn ways to manage your stress (meditate,hypnosis, accupuncture).

If you think that you are or have experienced any of the symptoms above, please, I beg you, go see your doctor. If you are worried about the hopsital bills, you can set up payments. Do not put off a life-threatening condition because of money. Better safe than sorry and just remember, dont ignore the signs!!