Medical Minute: How to Protect Yourself from a Heart Attack

This post, originally written on Feb. 24, 2016, is being bumped up because one of my loyal readers suffered a heart attack a few days after the New Year. She requested a Medical Minute post to warn her fellow Rose Garden members about the warning signs of a heart attack.

Please heed the warning signs. Black people are at greater risk for heart attacks due to the prevalence of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes in the black community.

It can happen to you.

Originally published on: Feb 24, 2016:

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in America. About 1.5 million people die from heart disease annually in the U.S.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women (more deaths than all cancers combined).

Even if you think you’re fairly healthy, you can drop dead of a heart attack at any time if you don’t know how to prevent heart attacks.

So what can you do to prevent a heart attack? Read on…

Juan A. Escarfuller, MD shares these tips and early warning signs of heart disease.

1. Stop smoking — smoking cigarettes or weed damages every organ in your body, including the lining of your arteries. Smoking causes fatty deposits (plaque) and narrowing of the arteries, leading to chest pain (angina) and irregular heart beat.

2. Change your lifestyle by eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly.

3. Know the early warning signs of a heart attack:

Chest pain, jaw pain, shoulder or arm pain

Back pain between the shoulders

Feeling of pressure in the chest

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath (with or without exertion)

Indigestion or heartburn

Rapid or irregular heart beat

Cold sweats

Nausea

5. Exercise at least 20 minutes a day — Start off with a 5 minute workout and gradually move up to 20 minutes a day

Dr. Jackie Walters, OB/GYN posted this easy 5 minute workout on her Instagram page, that you can do in the morning before heading to work or after work.

5 minute workout

6. Visit your doctor regularly to check your blood pressure or to monitor you for diabetes and high cholesterol.

7. Take your medicine! — Take your high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol medication as prescribed.

8. Stay in close contact with your family and friends, especially if you are elderly. You may need someone to check on you regularly. Or you may need to check on someone you haven’t heard from in a while who lives alone.

Sudden death is unpleasant and permanent. So take care of your heart!

This has been your Medical Minute.

More Info On the Web

What is a Heart Attack? — NIH
Warning Signs of Heart Attack – Heart.org
Heart Attack — Mayo Clinic
Heart Attack, Learn Symptoms and Treatment – MedicineNet

DISCLAIMER

Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following information found on this blog.

Stock photo by Michael Jung/Getty Images

Jusstlookn

Good Morning Ms. SANDRA. Great medical minute.

I wonder if any if the Roses use baby powder for hygiene? I hope not.
Milani

Thank you for posting this Auntie…loads of good info.
SameoleJ

8. Stay in close contact with your family and friends, especially if you are elderly. You may need someone to check on you regularly.
Uhn uhn, some of them azzholes will cause a heart attack!!
Vonn

“Sudden death is unpleasant and permanent.” Lol. You don’t have anything if you do not have a heart. Thanks for the info.
SameoleJ

I know a medical student (graduate at that) who said sudden death was a symptom!! No lie, he did and argued with me when I told him to fix it to read that it was an outcome!! No need to give y’all his name, cause he ain’t never going to be a full doctor no way.
harley_quinn2.0

Thanks for the info!
Let Your Soul Glow

Great post, Sandra! I like that 5 minute workout, although I detest burpees. I’m going to save this info.
Unita Lucinda “Lucy” Freebush

“Sudden death is unpleasant and permanent.”

?…Permanent?

Okaaay ?

Luh you @SandraRose ?
Vonn

I hope not as well. I believe that talc was the alleged cancer causing ingredient. Most baby powders are now made with cornstarch.
iWasteTime

**puts blunt out**
It’s Taurus Season

Sudden death is unpleasant and permanent.
^^^^
Say you can’t undo managing to die huh.
SameoleJ

Apparently not!!
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

THEY STILL SELL THE TALC VERSION… THE PURE CORNSTARCH HAS A BLUE NOZZLE
harley_quinn2.0

My diet has been horrible for 6 months. I got to do better ?
SameoleJ

I never used it on any of my children (especially not my daughter- just couldn’t imagine that stuff in her private parts), was never used on me.
Vonn

Lawd
Angela

I need to implement this 5 minute morning workout. I’m hauling winter weight I have gained.
It’s Taurus Season

In clinical research sudden death is what is called an SAE. Serious adverse event. So is inpatient hospitalization.

In other words going to the hospital ranks the exact same as: yo ass is dead.
SameoleJ

Down below, I explained how a medical graduate said it was a symptom so ummmm maybe he know something we don’t!! CTHU
Let Your Soul Glow

My diet has gotten better, but I’ve been too sedentary. I just got back in the gym in January. I hate it, but I love it. LOL!
Angela

I was taught by my mama neva eva to do such a thing because the outcome could be what the outcome was for the poor woman who passed.
LeBrick James

Tell us his name so we can stay away from him when he starts practicing medicine haha
http://Copblock.org aDingoDrankMyBabies

Does he pose for pictures like this??? I think I know who it is???? Mornin?
Just Keya

So when I am admitted for this baby it ranks with death? Ugh. I don’t like that.
SameoleJ

Sandy there is a Life Vest out now that patients who are at risk can wear and it detects a heart attack. When it does, it acts as a defibrillator and sends a jolt to the heart. It has proven to have saved lives, but is only provided to patients who have already suffered an attack.

The company is trying to get more cardiologist to use it.
Afiya

Thanks for this Sandra!

#BLM
#Revolt
Just Keya

Excuse me miss? I am still waiting for you to email me something. *looks at watch and taps foot*
Vonn

He may get licensed in another country. Spill the beans.
SameoleJ

He ain’t NEVER going to get that far…..I promise that!! No worries!!
http://Copblock.org aDingoDrankMyBabies

Dafuq is a burpee? Is it like a queef?
Let Your Soul Glow

My job considers having a baby a disability. Technically. Because my maternity leave was covered under short term disability. **shrugs**
Bam Bam Li

I do a mixture of Pilate’s and Yoga with my daughter (in her cute leotard ?) since my brother is a Yoga instructor, it kills me…seriously does but doing it with friends or family is a fun way lol
SameoleJ

CTHU, I don’t think so. Good Morning!!
Let Your Soul Glow

HA! No, gutter mind! It’s an exercise where you jump down into a plank, then pull your legs back into a squat, then jump back up. It’s a great full body exercise, but I hate them.
Empress

Limit marijuana smoking. I will only smoke it in ceremony. I find it best in food, beverages, and topically with the oil extracted and added to African shea or coconut oil. Off topic: Can someone please get the stylist for these rappers with these scarecrow crackhead dreds and give them a card for a good loctian. Geesh there are amazing people in just about every major city. This fools hair is crying for help and someone had the nerve to do a crappy loc repair on the blond parts that have popped off from bleach damage. If you can spend money on weed and high end clothes surely you can afford to hydrate your thirsty hair?
Let Your Soul Glow

I just got an email for a baby and mommy Yoga class. I miss yoga, haven’t done it in months. It is such a good workout. If my sister was a yoga instructor, I would pay her to work me out on the regular!
Bam Bam Li

I’m dying ??? it’s an exercise. It’ll have you sucking air once you’re done like you’ve been underwater for 2 hours
It’s Taurus Season

Only certain types of hospital type stays.
harley_quinn2.0

It’s similar to Squat thrust ??
SameoleJ

I am still waiting for a response for someone, who was on vacation. Stop tapping your foot, the sound is making me tap my fingers off beat!! Kisses!!
SameoleJ

No lie!! He wouldn’t make it pass the residency portion and damn sure wouldn’t make it pass a fellowship!! Just don’t get medical care in Russia. LOL
Bam Bam Li

I love it, I bring my daughter with me to my brothers class so he takes it easy on me otherwise he’ll start going ham with the positions ?. My daughter loves it bless her cotton socks, gets confused but she tries lol
Let Your Soul Glow

That is so cute! I’m in this babywearing group on FB and these mamas started a babywearing yoga class. Can you imagine doing downward facing dog with your child strapped to your back? It’s hard for me with just my own fat strapped to my back! LOL! But their pics look awesome. I’m in a different state now so I can’t even try it, but maybe I can find a baby yoga class where I am now.
Bam Bam Li

ROFL!! Yes I can imagine because every time I do down facing dog or any other low pose she thinks it’s a game and tries climb on my back or grabs my arm or legs, most of the time I can’t focus she keeps making me laugh ?. Then my brother speeds up the pace and I’m done my arms turn to jello after the fourth rep
1/8

Walking is a great form of exercise. It’s free, low-impact, and it’s something you can do anywhere. If you’re a beginner in the fitness game, I would suggest you start by walking more, consuming less sugar, drinking more water, and avoiding foods that are high in sodium.
stav

I appreciate this informative post.
Vonn

I just re-started Jillian Michael’s 30 day shred. I love to hate her, it gets me through the workout.
Ssik am

???
Vonn

I wouldn’t mind if they banned it. I hate seeing women battering their necks up with it when it’s hot.
Deno Spencer

This great info to start the day. Especially for friends who think weed us healthy. Thanks ms sandra
AnonymousRose

WEED………What about cannabis oil.
Just Keya

lol
Junkanoo

I would have thought stress would play a huge issue in heart health ( an a poor diet )health issues in genreal. Weed is from the God’s not to be demonized ,perhaps a vaporizer would reduce harsh smoke . It’s too freaking stressful to not smoke weed with racism on the rise an America falling apart at the seams
SouljaSociety

ok Thanks… now where is the exclusive gossip?
SouljaSociety

If you are one of those people who get panic attackas/anxiety/paranoia when high you’re just stressing your body. Which could lead to a heart attack in the long run.
Unita Lucinda “Lucy” Freebush

Chile look.
Readytochokemothernatureonout

Thanks for the info…
I cAll ThE sHoTs…

eat oatmeal
just being me

Wiz is way too skinny to have a heart lol

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