Dear Church family,

In February we often observe the beginning of Lent, Valentine’s Day and Heart month. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 15:13 “…A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit”. This month I’d like to share some thoughts with you on Women and heart disease.

In women, many of these symptoms are more subtle than in men, so don’t be fooled if what you’re experiencing aren’t the “drop on the spot” symptoms you see portrayed so often on TV.

Signs and Symptoms of a heart attack

Contrary to common belief most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Because of this people often ignore the signs and wait too long before getting help. Here are some signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back between the shoulder blades, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

If you or someone you’re with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other symptoms, don’t wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get life-saving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive- up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable in the past. Clot busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and savings lives, but to be effective they must be given relatively quickly after symptoms appear.

Here are a few thoughts on prevention. As most of you know, to have a healthy heart you need to eat healthy foods, exercise, watch your weight, not smoke and not drink to excess AND pray regularly and with a healthy approach.

Yes, I did say pray regularly – after all, God made us body, mind AND spirit, and in order to have a healthy body you need to have a healthy soul and spirit as well.

Praying regularly is self-explanatory but the “healthy approach” concept may be one you haven’t heard before. What is meant by that is to pray solely with the intention of growing closer to God. Many of us are in the “gimme” habit, like children at Christmas wanting everything we see and asking God to give it to us. The true and “heart-healthy” approach to prayer is simply to deepen our relationship with God. If we simply pray with the intention of growing closer to God our prayer will always have good results. We may ask for something that isn’t granted but because we have communicated with God the prayer is still successful. If the act of praying brings us closer to God then in that way our prayer IS answered.

 Every day as you pray and seek to live a healthy life may you be blessed with God’s heart- healing peace. “A heart at peace gives life to the body…” Proverbs 14:30. If you have any questions or concerns related to heart disease for men or women, please call me or stop by my office during my office hours from 1-3PM on Wednesdays.

God’s richest blessings and my love and prayers,

Maureen Redmer, RN

Aurora Parish Nurse program