How’s Your Heart?!
Hello to our seniors!! February is AMERICAN HEART MONTH and the Friday the 6th has been designated as NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY to emphasize how important the heart is to our being. On this day as a sign of solidarity, let's all wear red! For when the heart ceases to beat, that’s all she wrote!
[Located in the chest, behind and slightly to the left of the breastbone, the heart is protected by the ribcage and a sac called the pericardium. It has four chambers: the right atrium and ventricle for processing deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs and the left atrium and ventricle for oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body. The left ventricle is the largest chamber. Four valves regulate blood flow between chambers and into major arteries. The heart walls are primarily composed of the myocardium, a muscular layer that facilitates contractions.]
Now that you know a little about the heart structure, we will focus on how important this small fist sized muscle is to our lives! Think about how we go about the day rarely thinking about this vital muscle. We jog, run, walk and do all sorts of activities during our day and yet, some health events make it necessary. Maintaining heart health is crucial as cardiovascular disease is a leading global cause of death. Key ways to promote a healthy heart include a nutritious diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. For further detailed information on the heart’s anatomy, function, and related health conditions, consider resources from organizations like American Heart Association and The Cleveland Clinic.
“What if I’m having a heart attack?”
Call 911! Get to the hospital right away! Do not wait! Follow the 911 dispatcher’s instructions. Do not drive yourself to the hospital!
Symptoms of a Heart Attack:
Pain or discomfort in the chest or upper body for more than a few minutes.
Trouble breathing or feeling short of breath.
Sweating or “cold sweats”
Feeling full or like you have heartburn or an upset stomach.
Nausea or vomiting.
Feeling light-headed, dizzy, very weak or anxious.
A fast or irregular heartbeat.
TO CONCLUDE: I would like to encourage all of our seniors to enjoy life for as long as we can. Stay connected and involved in life. We are alive and our heart is pumping so we must do all that we can to live life for as long as we can. Join me in taking care of your heart and enjoying being alive!
~ LaVerne Wallace ( Co-Founder )
