Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is heart….. I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Heart – a hollow muscular organ of vertebrate animals
that by its rhythmic contraction acts as a force pump
maintaining the circulation of the blood
~ Merriam-Webster
February is National Heart Month, and during this month we’ll see advertisements on TV, in magazines, and online reminding us of the warning signs of a heart attack. While many symptoms are the same for both men and women, there are a few warning signs that are much more common for women than men. Your health, or that of a loved one, depends on you knowing these signs.
American Heart Association‘s warning signs of a heart attack in a man:
- Chest pain or discomfort which can also feel like pressure or squeezing
- Chest pain that comes and goes
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Experiencing nausea or stomach pain
- Becoming lightheaded
- Becoming clammy or breaking out into a sweat
American Heart Association‘s warning signs of a heart attack in a woman:
- Chest pain or discomfort which can also feel like pressure or squeezing
- Chest pain that comes and goes
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, or neck
- Jaw pain – more common for women
- Shortness of breath – more common for women
- Experiencing nausea and vomiting – more common for women
- Becoming lightheaded
- Becoming clammy or breaking out into a sweat
Addressing your heart health:
- Know your family medical history
- Get a physical
- Start a regular exercise program
- Change to a heart healthy diet (see Mayo Clinic suggestions below)
- If you smoke, quit
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Mayo Clinic‘s tips for eating a heart healthy diet:
- Control portion size
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Eat whole grains
- Limit unhealthy fats
- Limit sodium intake
- Eat lean cuts of meat and fish
- Meal plan
- Limit treats, but enjoy occasionally
Ways to celebrate National Heart Month:
- Run in a race to support heart health
- Take a CPR certification course
- Wear red on February 5th to support women’s heart health
- Attend a health and fitness expo
- Organize a heart health screening for your office
- Make a donation to a charitable organization researching cures for heart disease
Balloons from Chicago’s Heart Walk along Lake Michigan in September
As with so many other diseases, diet and exercise play a huge role in maintaining a healthy heart. February is the perfect time to focus on what will keep your healthy. Do it for yourself and for the ones you love!
Don’t forget to check out my review from yesterday of Halo Headphones, and enter my giveaway for a chance to win a pair of your own!
Do you have a healthy heart?
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Next Wednesday’s Word: Triumphant
I do have a healthy heart, but before I lost weight and started exercising,I was flirting with high blood pressure, And, I got a DVT on a long flight, so I am very aware of those risk factors!
Coco recently posted…Five Ways To Go Red For Women
Oh wow, a DVT is extremely scary and dangerous. I’m glad all is okay now, and good for you for putting your health first.
High blood pressure runs in my family, but I’ve seen a huge drop in mine since I started running. Which I know because it runs in my husband’s family, too & he’s already on medication.
I’m hoping to run away from the need for meds!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…You’ve gotta have heart
How wonderful that you were able to lower your blood pressure through running. I love that you’re hoping to “run away from the need for meds.” Good for you!
Great post and super important information! I have high blood pressure, I think it is stress induced but needless to say I am heart aware every day!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Heart to Heart Rate
Ah yes, stress can be a contributor to heart disease – something that I failed to mention. It’s good that you’re aware of your HBP and monitoring it closely. Stay healthy!
Great reminder about all the things to keep us heart healthy. Every year at the hospital where I work, they put this gorgeous red dress on a mannequin in the lobby. Makes me want to shop! LOL…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Open your Heart: Benefits of Backbends
I bet the hospital has a lot of different great events celebrating heart health during February. Perhaps they’ll let you borrow the red dress from March to January! LOL
Great post!
Heart health is near and dear to me as my mom had had heart disease for as long as I can remember which lead to a heart attack and a triple bypass 2 years ago 🙁
Thanks sharing such great info!
You are very welcome! Hope your mom is feeling well since her surgery.
I did not know jaw pain was a symptom in women. Good info and reminders!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Why I Ditched The Scale & What I’ve Learned
Glad to have taught you something new. With heart disease being the number one killer in women, it’s good to know all of the warning signs of heart attacks!
Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Alison recently posted…Wednesday Word
You are very welcome!
Great topic and great info all wrapped up in one place! I would say this is totally share-worthy! I know my heart is healthier than it was 5 years ago. With that being said it does not take away the need to get checked out with checkups! Thanks Debbie!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Is Your Heart Into It Or Are You Just Settling For What You Are Doing
It’s great to hear that you’ve made a significant improvement in your health. Keep up the good work!
I just took my CPR certification and found all of that very interesting. It’s actually quite strenuous to save a dummy! I believe I have a healthy heart, although my Dad did not. I do have low blood pressure which no doctor is ever concerned with. In fact, I just had my yearly checkup last week. She called yesterday to tell me all of my numbers were excellent. My vitamin D even came back in the normal range. Thanks for the link!
HoHo Runs recently posted…Run With Heart
Yay for great numbers from blood work!
Great tips Deb! I will be wearing red tomorrow:)
Lauren recently posted…Why I Love Running
Thanks! Me, too!
Great info! I never knew, until a couple of years ago, how different women’s heart attack symptoms can be. That’s important to know! I’m also glad I read this today, so that I would know to wear red on my run today 🙂
I wore a red race shirt from last year on my run today, and Stella wore a red collar and lease. 😀
[…] If we were having coffee….. I’d tell you that Stella and I both wore red yesterday to bring attention to women’s heart health since it was the first Friday in February. I’d also remind you that February is National Heart Month. […]
Great post! Usually lots of people associate heart attack with chest pain and our movies also portray this popular perception. But there could be host of other symptoms that may no emanate from the chest area. Knowledge is power, as it could save lives.
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