Women and Heart Attacks - Number One Killer

She said she didn't feel well and had a back ache and was going to lay down on the bed with the heating pad. A while later her husband went to check on her and she was not breathing. They were not able to revive her. This is something we women should definitely take seriously.

*Please pass this on to those you love. *

I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read .....

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction)

* Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack .....you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.
* I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 pm with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might've brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, "A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up."
* A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.
* "After that had seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.
* "AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening--we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, "Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!" I lowered the foot rest, dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself "If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else......,but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in moment"
* I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room, and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.
* "I then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their xamination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like "Have you taken any medications?") but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stents to hold open my right coronary artery.
* " I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents.
* " Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand."
1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body not the usual men's symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one, and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation, and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up....which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a "false alarm" visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!
2. Note that I said "Call the Paramedics". Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER-- you're a hazard to others on the road, and so is your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your doctor-- he doesn't now where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistant (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be notified later.
3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count.

Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high, and/or accompanied by high blood pressure.) MI's are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

Go RED for women

Go RED for women! American Heart Month.....

http://www.goredforwomen.org/

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Exercise Your Memory

Think there’s nothing you can do once your memory starts slipping? Think again. The following guide can get you back on track. Try these tips, which involve working your brain in new ways.

1. Be alert. It sounds elementary, but simply being aware of what is happening increases and exercises your memory.
2. Get organized. If it’s worth memorizing, it’s worth taking notes on it, no matter what “it” is. Scientists agree: Short-term memory can only hold seven items at one time. Choose your seven and jot down notes on others.
3. Use association. For new information, ask yourself how the information relates to ideas with which you’re already familiar. Try familiar stimulis such as repeating or grouping like ideas.
4. Remember through teaching. Explain your new memory/idea to someone else in your own words. This is a great tool for increasing memory.
5. Say it out loud. Don’t worry about what others are thinking when you think out loud. Recite what you are reading; paraphrase; review notes out loud.
6. Set aside time for review. After learning something new, make time to review the information. Retention relies on review; that phrase itself will help you remember to review!
7. Exercise your memory. Learn a new subject or re-learn an old subject from your previous schooling, such as math, science, or history — something you have forgotten.
8. Keep a journal. A journal exercises the mind. It will also help you remember through review.
9. Do crossword puzzles. These are great exercises for the memory. They will help you remember and sharpen your wit too.
10. Practice using visual imagery. Go through the steps of building or creating something.

For more detailed information on how to keep your memory sharp your entire life, go here now to find out how to get Blaylock Wellness Report “Maintaining Your Memory.”

To Your Health

Have A Healthy Happy New Year 2008

Try a pomegranate wine toast!

The Tree Of Life?

by Diana Serbe

What is this contradiction called a pomegranate? The pomegranate is sweet, but the pomegranate is tart. The pomegranate is tough and wrinkled, but when cut open it glistens with ruby-like seeds.In the Greek myth of Persephone, the pomegranate is called the fruit of the underworld, yet in the Muslim Qu'uran it is called the fruit of paradise.

The inner beauty of the pomegranate has inspired design since Biblical times, and there are some who believe it may be the fruit on the tree of life.

History of the Pomegranate

As befits a fruit with many seeds, the pomegranate is the traditional representation of fertility, and seems to have its origins everywhere. We see it in the Middle East and India. The pomegranate was cultivated in Egypt before the time of Moses. It was found in the Indus valley so early that there is a word in Sanskrit for pomegranate. Indian royalty began their banquets with pomegranate, grape, and jujube. Arab caravans, many emanating from the lush oasis that was ancient Baghdad, probably spread its use.

The pomegranate is significant in Jewish custom. Tradition holds that a pomegranate has 613 seeds to represent the 613 commandments in the Torah. The design of the pomegranate was woven into the high priest's robes, and brass representations were part of the Temple's pillars. It is mentioned six times inch Song of Solomon.We see the pomegranate again in ancient Greece and Rome. In the verses of the Odyssey, Homer mentions it as part of the gardens of Alcinous (probably in Sicily). The Romans imported their pomegranates from African Libya, and Pliny the Elder gave instructions for its storage. Lest the pomegranate be neglected in the East, it appears in China during the Han and Sung dynasties.The derivation of the word pomegranate comes from the Middle French pome garnete (seeded apple), but Europeans were slow to adopt the pomegranate. The pomegranate was probably introduced from Sicily, however Europeans, then under Norman influence, distrusted fruits and vegetables, preferring a meat-based diet. It is mentioned in the 14th century Ménagier de Paris which offered some recipes, and as we see in the quote from Romeo and Juliet it was known in England in Elizabethan times. The enthusiasm for pomegranate as a food was limited, but it was widely used as a decoration.

The Spanish Conquistadores brought the pomegranate to America. Jesuit missionaries carried it north to their missions in California. They were found growing wild in Georgia in 1772.

Using Pomegranate

Though the ancients used pomegranate skin and bark for medicinal purposes, only the seeds are edible.Fresh pomegranate is available from September until January. When refrigerated in a plastic bag, pomegranates will keep for up to 2 months. The seeds are a brilliantly colorful addition when tossed on a salad.

A syrup made fro the pomegranate is widely used in the Middle East.

Variously named pomegranate molasses, concentrated pomegranate juice, or pomegranate essence, the syrupy extract of pomegranate is tart and piquant, brightening many dishes. It is available in Middle Eastern markets, gourmet food stores, and some health-food stores.

Grenadine, a light syrup added to alcoholic drinks or soft drinks, used to be made from pomegranate juice, though now it is made with food coloring. There are concentrated forms of pomegranate juice available, however.

To seed: Slice off the top and the tail of the pomegranate. Score as you would to peel an orange. Submerge pomegranate in bowl of cold water and peel away rind. Break into sections, and pull seeds from the pith with your fingers. Drain seeds in a sieve and throw away the pith. Be sure to drain well.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate

The pomegranate has been used in folk medicine for centuries in the Middle East, India, and Iran. The health giving properties of the pomegranate are celebrated in a Jewish fairy tale, and it takes its place in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

The pomegranate provides a substantial amount of potassium, is high in fiber, and contains vitamin C and niacin.

Research conducted by Michael Aviramof the Lipid Research Laboratory at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology has revealed the antioxidant properties of the fruit.

Preliminary studies indicate that the juice may possess almost three times the total antioxidant ability of green tea or red wine.

Visit Diana Serbe at http://www.inmamaskitchen.com

My New Year's Resolution

Add POMEGRANATES to my diet!