220 Minus Your Age

As an adult the highest your pulse rate should go up is figured at 220 minus your age.

This fact (?) was just stated on last week’s episode of Bones that I’m just now watching – thank you DVR.

I enjoy watching Bones…not the blood and gore part, but there’s something fascinating to me about how they figure out who committed the murder.

Must be a flashback to my days of watching Murder, She Wrote with my Dad.  Which explains why I still love watching that show.

Angela Lansbury is my hero.  She lived this wonderful life teaching, and then reinvented herself after her husband passed away and Walaa! a mystery writer was born.  Of course, somewhere along the line murders started showing up in her life…weekly it seems if we go by the show’s schedule.  I always thought to myself…”Who on earth would want to be this woman’s friend – someone is always dying around her!”

Alas, I digress…

The line in Bones reminded me of the fact that the “Go Red for Women” campaign is promoting heart health this month.

We just had a Sweetheart Sale yesterday at our store (Secret Sisters Boutique) with sales on red and pink clothing and a portion of the proceeds going to the campaign.  We also highlighted in our monthly newsletter some of the heart facts from the AHA.  (check out the blog at  www.secretsistersely.com) (- yes shameless plug).  We care about our customers…in fact we love them!  Thus we want to be sure everyone stays healthy…

I feel the same way about my readers!  This information is so important that I wanted to pass it on to you too.

You see, my Mom had heart disease and so did my Dad.  I have my cholesterol checked yearly, and yes I watch all the risk factors.

Now, how is your heart?

Please, PLEASE take the time to read the following information, I promise it will only take you a few minutes.

Women’s heart disease shows up differently than it does in men.

Read, study and remember the warning signs of heart attack and stroke.  It could not only save your life, but also someone elses.

The following is copied from the Go Red for Women website: www.goredforwomen.org

———————————————–

Symptoms of a heart attack:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, the most common heart attack symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort. But it’s important to note that women are more likely to experience the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

What to do during a heart attack

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms:

• Do not wait to call for help. Dial 9-1-1, make sure to follow the operator’s instructions and get to a hospital right away.
• Do not drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital unless you have no other choice.
• Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders.

How can I prevent it?

Many things can put you at risk for these problems – one’s you can control, and others that you can’t. But the key takeaway is that with the right information, education and care, heart disease in women can be treated, prevented and even ended.

Studies show that healthy choices have resulted in 330 fewer women dying from heart disease per day. Here are a few lifestyle changes you should make:

• Don’t smoke
• Manage your blood sugar
• Get your blood pressure under control
• Lower your cholesterol
• Know your family history
• Stay active
• Lose weight
• Eat healthy

STROKE Information:

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.: