Common sense may tell you that if you have a small medical problem, you should go to your family doctor. But what if no one is around and you are experiencing pain in your chest.  Please watch the following power point presentation as it may just save your life or someone that you know.   HEART ATTACK (left mouse click to advance slide)

If you aren't sure whether you just have heartburn or something more serious like a heart attack, you should get yourself checked out.

The five warning signs of a heart attack are: pain or discomfort in your jaw, neck or back; feeling weak, lightheaded or faint; chest pain or discomfort; pain or discomfort in your arms or shoulder; and shortness of breath.

Sometimes, it's impossible to tell the difference between the symptoms of heartburn, angina and heart attack.  A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of your heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped. This can result in death or disability, depending on how much of the heart muscle is damaged.

Heart attack symptoms once again include the sudden onset of tightness, pressure, squeezing, burning or discomfort in your chest, throat, neck or either arm. When these symptoms are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath or a fainting sensation, you need to get immediate emergency help by Calling 911.

Billions of dollars are spent each year treating cardiovascular disease and despite this heart disease still remains the number one killer. Personal prevention should be exercised to eliminate and control several risk factors of heart disease including high blood pressure, obesity, stress, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and elevated cholesterol levels.

  


 
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters....S.T.R.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours
he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said
the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting
the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately,
the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe
brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S Ask the individual to SMILE.
T Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
      (i.e. It is sunny out today)
R Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke...Stick out Your Tongue

Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked' or if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If you think you're having a heart attack or stroke, call 911. It's the safest thing to do. It’s better to err on the side of caution and overreact instead of under-react.

Many heart patients take blood thinners, such as aspirin. Research has shown that the risk of a first heart attack can be reduced by as much as 50% by taking aspirin regularly. However, 70% of long-term aspirin users experience intestinal bleeding and ulcers. As well, aspirin consumption can have other serious side effects such as:

- Protein loss due to impaired transport through intestinal lining
- Reduced immune function due to stockage of certain prostaglandins     important for normal immune responses.
- Impaired ability of white blood cells (part of your immune system) to absorb vitamin C, which is essential for their proper functioning.
- Worsening of food sensitivities/allergies due to the damage to your     intestinal wall.
- Worsening of asthma, kidney problems and anemia in sensitive people.

Heart disease is greatly influenced by nutrition. The minimal nutritional requirements for decreasing risk factors include the elimination of red meat, animal fats, fried foods, spicy foods, processed, and refined foods from your diet.

Increased consumption of cardio-protective foods like fish, (not seafood) is recommended. Additionally, a well-known nutrient beneficial to heart disease prone patients is Allicin. It is especially useful in cases of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Allicin can be found in garlic, and while the increased consumption of garlic is beneficial, garlic tablets from a reputable source ensure the necessary intake of Allicin.

Also from a nutritional standpoint, persons prone to heart disease should be limiting the intake of foods high in vitamin K, which increases blood clotting (alfalfa, broccoli, cauliflower, egg yolks, liver, spinach, and all dark green vegetables) and increase the intake of foods that enhance the effects of anticoagulants (wheat germ, vitamin E, soybean and sunflower seeds).

Regular Aerobic exercise is still the best cardio vascular prevention.  By living a healthy lifestyle you'll have more energy, feel better, reduce fatigue, increase focus and concentration... and that's just the start!

Remember...Heart disease is not an aspirin deficiency

Please remember that these suggestions are general and if you seek a more individual approach to your specific condition, you may want to consult with your family doctor.

I know you want to get in shape and look great. Whatever your fitness goal…to slim down…gain muscle…tone your arms or flatten your tummy…I’m here to help you accomplish your goals and to improve your fitness level. You will learn how to select and combine your diet with exercise, so that you can be the best you can be.