Exclusively You
February 2016 Edition
Your Heart is Your Guide
Hearts have so much significance during the month of February. It's American Heart Health Month and February 5th was National Wear Red Day. February also has special significance for me because on February 18, 2011, 9 days after my 50th birthday, I lost my mom to heart disease. So, in this issue, I'll be sharing some important information about heart health. And, of course, Cupid is flitting around with his arrow of love in anticipation of Valentines Day!!! Know that you are loved by so many beings, not just on Valentine's Day, but everyday. So, please take good care of your heart, literally and figuratively. Love it, feel it beat, listen to what it is telling you and heed it's warnings, for your Heart is your Sacred Guide. Sending you love, light & abundant health!
~ Deb
Go Red for Women
So, now that you are in the know, take control of your health - do your homework so you can learn more about heart disease, what you can do to prevent it and the signs & symptoms of a heart attack. You or someone you love may very well benefit from it.
Schedule a Well-Women Visit - as with any disease, early detection makes it so much easier to treat heart disease and prevent a heart attack. Get a baseline EKG - it's quick, easy, non-invasive & could save your life.
Spread the word - share the information with your friends & family so that they, too, can become more knowledgeable. Knowledge is power!
Support research & education by shopping or donating to Go Red for Women. There's so many cute products from tees, to iPhone cases, to bracelets - and they would make a great Valentine's Day gift!
Get Involved - Participate in an event near you, become a sponsor, participate in a study or learn how to conduct a workshop. There are so many ways you can help. If you are Interested in helping, contact me and let's get started!!
Here are some good resources for you to begin your quest for knowledge, including the Center of Disease Control's website where you can view the statistics, as well as the link to the AHA's Go Red for Women website.
http://www.cdc.gov/women/lcod/
Signs & Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Women
Shortness of Breath - many women begin struggling to breathe during their normal level of activity, days, even weeks before a heart attack.
Chest Discomfort or Tightness - this can be anywhere in the chest or all over, not just on the left side. Some women describe it as being in a vice grip.
Back, Neck, Jaw & Right Arm Pain - unusual pain in the upper, and even the lower back, may indicate excessive stress to the heart muscle. For whatever the reason, the heart may not be sending obvious signals of a heart attack, and instead the pain radiates to the back, neck, right arm and jaw.
Stomach Pain - heart burn or flu-like symptoms or abdominal pressure like an elephant sitting on top of you.
Nausea & Vomiting - once again, these symptoms can occur days or weeks before the heart attack happens. Nausea & vomiting can be chronic or can come and go.
Dizziness or Light-headedness - since the heart is under stress, you may not be getting sufficient blood flow to the brain, causing you to feel dizzy or light-headed.
Unexplained, Intense Fatigue - some women feel extremely tired, even after a good nights rest or from simply walking from one room to another.
Cold Sweats - since the heart is under abnormal stress, this can cause women to break out into cold, nervous sweats. Most women who have had heart attacks describe it as very different from perspiring from the heat or a hot flash.
Trust Your Heart - Many women admit that they knew in their heart they were having a heart attack before it happened. If the thought has crossed your mind or you have a nagging feeling, trust your heart and get checked before it's too late.
Below are just two resources you can check out to become further educated about the signs & symptoms of a heart attack.
Pets and Heart Disease
Pet ownership is said to reduce the risk of heart disease, partially because of the increase in activity associated with pet care. Let's face it, pets are our kids too, and taking care of them means not sitting on our laurels. Dogs especially help us increase our activity levels because we love to walk with them. Plus, the unconditional love from our pets is a stress-reliever, and less stress means lower blood pressure.
But, there is another side to this story. We aren't the only ones who can be affected by heart & other diseases. Our furbabies can also be afflicted. I know this from experience. I've had three of my furbabies die from heart disease, two cats and a dog. The problem is, they can't tell us how they are feeling so we have to rely on our own observation. And, to be honest, sometimes we miss the signs.
I will use the example of my Brandy, a Collie/Golden Retriever mix. He was an amazing guy - beautiful, happy, waggy, gentle, sweet - just full of love! And, there was no one who met him who didn't fall in love with him! He was quite the gentleman. He would play tug of war with Chloe', my toy poodle and always let her win. To this day, I'm still not sure whether he was being nice, or whether he liked seeing her tumble ass over backwards - LOL! A few years went by and everything seemed fine. Then suddenly, he got his angel wings at age 4. I was devastated. As it turned out, he died from a broken heart, literally. He had severe dilated cardiomyopathy and his heart just broke down and finally stopped. I never saw the signs. Yes, he panted a bit, but he was a furball and I thought it was normal. But, it obviously wasn't. I couldn't wrap my head and my heart around this for a very long time. How could I have missed it? I finally realized that I didn't know the symptoms. Hell, I didn't even know dogs, or cats for that matter, could get cardiomyopathy, let alone know the symptoms. The sad truth is, any being that has a heart can get heart disease. So, now that we know that, what are we to do for our furbabies?
Be keenly aware of changes - don't ignore anything! Sometimes the change happens overnight and at other times, symptoms may surface slowly and gradually increase over time. Panting or difficulty breathing, lethargy, gagging or coughing and stomach bloating are some of the symptoms of heart disease. If you see any of these symptoms, please don't wait to see your vet. Our pets can't tell the vet how they are feeling, so you have to communicate for them. Tell your veterinarian about any changes you've observed. You may be able to help your baby be more comfortable and extend his/her life with the proper treatment.
Schedule regular wellness checks. If you haven't noticed any changes, the vet may hear something through the stethoscope.
Create a healthy lifestyle for you and your cat or dog that you can do together. Discuss any lifestyle changes you want to make with your vet.
FEATURE ARTICLE
You CAN Do Anything Your Heart Desires!
Written by Richard Rothenberg
I was exercising on a regular basis but wanted to do more for my physical and mental health. I started taking Tai Kwon Do with my kids to bond with them and have some physical activity together. I started in August and by December had worked my way to a yellow belt.
The instructor told us to pair up with others and try to take them down. The man I paired up with was 3 inches taller and about 25 pounds heavier than I. We put our hands on each other’s shoulders and he threw me right down. I got up to try again. This time on the way down, my body torqued around my left leg. There was a loud pop. I had torn my medial collateral ligament in my knee.
Because exercise was so important to me, I set the goal to get better. It was a difficult time on crutches after the surgery, as well as the many months of physical therapy. I improved and started exercising again. Then my friend at work asked me to run the Marine Marathon with him. My answer was "No way because I have a screw in my knee." He asked me again the following year and I just could not use the surgery as an excuse any longer.
My challenge was to run 26.2 miles (with that screw in my knee). I thought I was in pretty good shape until I started training. Was it difficult. But, my wife and kids were 100% behind me. My goal was to complete the Marine Marathon and give the medal to my daughter.
I ran the Philadelphia half marathon to get ready, and it was a great experience. I went on to complete the Marine Marathon, won the medal and gave it to my daughter, as promised. I ran another half marathon and completed 3 more full marathons (Marine again, in both Philadelphia and New York). Running the New York Marathon through the 5 boroughs was amazing, especially since I am originally from Brooklyn!
I feel great now and my knee injury is an obstacle I have overcome with heart, determination, and a great attitude towards my health! You can do anything your heart desires, too!
Rich Rothenberg is a good friend, health advocate and animal lover. He and his wife Sherri volunteer with Canine Partners for Life, a non-profit organization located in Cochranville, PA, dedicated to training service dogs. He is the proud Papa of Mike, a 24 yr. old Ball Python, and his sweet little birdies, Doodles and Rasta, pictured below with Rich.
Celebrating Heart Health Month
Bright Red Coral Happy Heart Tree of Life Pendant
Deep Red Garnet Happy Heart Tree of Life Pendant
Signature Tree of Love Pendant
Heart Health Starts with Eating Healthy
Host a Spa Party & Start Your Own Business for Free!
The Amethyst Girls & Hidden Treasure Petite Faires
2175 Angstadt Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951
Chronic Inflammatory Disease Support Group Meeting
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Still Kicking
136 Suite B Mill Rd
Cost: Free
I'm starting this group to offer support for those who suffer from some type of chronic inflammatory disorder. Surround yourself with others who understand what it's like to suffer from the effects of diseases like RA, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lyme Disease, Lupus, etc. This is a place where you can get the support you need, share what's helped you and learn from others. There IS hope and you CAN renew your health. And, it can start here. Join us for the Kick-Off Meeting at Still Kicking on March 7th. See you there!
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