SENIOR MOMENTS
By Jan Fowler

“A Grateful Heart”

“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.” Robert Bulwer- Lytton

Hi, this is your happy healthy heart talking and I do believe I’ve never properly thanked you for taking such wonderful care of me all these years. We’ve been together for many decades now. Longer than a lifetime actually, because I began beating for you even before you were born—since three weeks after you were first conceived, to be exact. Now that is amazing!

And if I do say so myself, it’s been rather like a miracle marathon. Why? Well, look at me. Compared to other hearts my age, I’m still in tip-top shape and have never missed a single day of pumping blood throughout your body so that every single cell could be nourished with oxygen.

But then again, I give you the credit for my good health. (And, Baby, you’re the best!) I know of countless other hearts who can’t say as much to their host bodies. (Let’s say they’re just plain heartless and let it go at that.)

I notice that you take charge when ordering food in a restaurant, always making it a point to request fat-free or one percent milk instead of simply accepting whatever they serve you. You also order the dish of gravy on the side rather than mixed in with the food, choose steamed or broiled over fried foods, and ask that there be no added salt or MSG.

So go ahead, gloat a little. You deserve it. Of course, I realize that not everyone has been as lucky as I (I’m envied by many, you know). Some host bodies are true heartbreakers who completely disregard the rules. They show no respect at all.

Whereas other hearts have tried to capture their host’s attention for years, I’m grateful you never made me work that hard. Whenever I’ve signaled or warned you to slow down, either by racing, pounding, or thumping erratically, you paid attention.

And goodness knows, it’s certainly happened more than once! Yet, time after time you heeded my warning and managed to pull yourself out of a jam in time. Like the time you finally quit smoking after a three-month struggle (oh how I cheered you on), when you dropped unneeded (and unflattering) weight, reduced your salt intake (I recall how you fussed), monitored your cholesterol, and began walking daily and working out at the gym.

But one of the biggest gifts you ever gave me was when you came to grips with all that noxious weirdo stress you had invited into your life. Remember how it made you anxious, not to mention that it was upsetting me? First it was the commute and oh, please, must I bring up the rest? By now, it’s all history and you dealt with it and eliminated it. So thank you, thank you.

Oops, I should probably back up a bit and at least describe myself. Basically, I’m a powerful muscle—the strongest in your body—about the size of a fist. I’m divided into four compartments, generally referred to as chambers. Each of my upper chambers is called an atrium, each lower one a ventricle.

Forgive me for sounding boastful, but did you know that I can pump two gallons of blood through one complete cycle of an adult body (through arteries, capillaries, veins and back again) in approximately 60 seconds? It’s record time, don’t you think?

Did I mention that heart disease is the number one killer among women? Those at greatest risk are the ones who smoke, are diabetic, and are overweight. Statistics show that heart attacks kill six times as many women as breast cancer.

Warning Signs of Heart Attack: Although some heart attacks occur suddenly, the American Heart Association advises that most begin slowly. Symptoms may be mild or intense and may include shortness of breath, upper body discomfort, a squeezing, pressure or crushing-type chest pain, back pain, nausea, lightheadedness, and possibly a cold sweat. If you experience one or more of these heart attack symptoms, it’s a signal to either get to a hospital immediately or call 9-1-1.

First Aid for a Heart Attack: If the person is unresponsive, call 911 and start CPR. If they are conscious, do not allow them to talk you out of calling for emergency help! Have them sit calmly, loosen tight clothing, and ask them if they take any heart medication. If so, administer their medication, but do not give them anything else by mouth until help arrives.

No Need for a Broken Heart The sooner a heart attack is treated, the less damage to the heart and the better one’s chance of survival. Unfortunately, the average heart attack victim generally waits approximately three hours before getting help. As a result, many die needlessly.

Heart-Smart Tips for Healthy Living: Commit to a healthy lifestyle which prevents extra strain on your heart. The “heart of the matter” is to maintain good exercise, low stress, a sensible diet (low in sodium, calories, trans fat, saturated fats, and cholesterol), no smoking, and no unhealthy weight gain (yo-yo-ing is not allowed). In other words, don’t eat your heart out!

To learn more about heart attack protection, call 1-800-242-8721 or go online and visit www.americanheart.org. So thanks for the heart-to-heart. Please keep paying attention, don’t ignore heartaches, and I guarantee you won’t be sorry.

delivered to your home each month!