Know the Signs, Save a Life

Such an important reminder. This is the Denise Austin Newsletter for January 21. 2011.

Here in the United States, we're fighting a very tough killer: heart disease. Every year, 1.2 million people suffer a heart attack, and almost 40 percent of them die. It doesn't have to be that way! The faster a person having a heart attack gets medical care, the better his or her chances are for survival and recovery. And you can do something about that!

Whether you're 25 or 85, it's important to know the symptoms of a heart attack. While heart disease is more common among older individuals, young people sometimes experience heart attacks, too - many times without any history of heart disease. Even if you know your heart is strong and pumping, you probably come into contact throughout your day with people who are at risk. A simple way to be prepared is to make sure you recognize these signs of a heart attack, from the American Heart Association, so you can respond ASAP!

Chest pain or discomfort
Discomfort in other areas of the body, such as the arms, back, neck,
jaw, and stomach
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Light-headedness
Jaw pain

If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call for emergency help right away!



As the new year brings new resolutions to exercise and get in shape, we sometimes overdo a good thing and add stress to our hearts. Hearts that may or may not have been given the best diet of late, if you know what I mean. Our hearts are so important and have to be taken care of! Part of that care is knowing the above signs (NEVER knew about jaw pain!) and paying attention.

Minutes matter.

I'll share a short story. In 2007, I found that I was having numbness in my right arm. I couldn't grasp things with that hand very well and it just didn't seem to work right. But it was intermittent and I just blew it off. Until one day at work the numbness started and was followed by a pain going across my chest. So I called my doctor's office and asked to speak to a nurse. I barely got the first sentence out of my mouth when she stopped me and said "get to an emergency room, now".

So I did.

I'll never forget calling Billy from the emergency room. Fortunately it started with "everything's ok but...".

I was lucky. A car wreck earlier in the year had messed up my neck and the pain and numbness were from a buldging disc in my neck. Another problem that actually could have caused a lot damage if I hadn't gotten to the doctor when I did.

My point is this. A lot of those warning signs are not big, dire, bells going off indicators. They are common, every day symptons that can easily be ignored or brushed off. Especially for those among us that think we're Super Woman and must do everything and do it all ourselves and so on.

You know who you are. Or you know someone does and needs you to keep an eye on THEM.

So, know your family history, know the signs, and get yourself checked as needed.

It's important.

Not just to you, but to all who love you.

Have a great weekend!