Perspective, and a new health meme.
Sep. 20th, 2006 10:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lagilmanElsewhere, a friend posted (in light of news of our friend's heart attack) a comment about getting perspective. Is true. Even this week, when the shit seemed to come from every possible angle, there was also a lot of good, too. Sometimes it's easier to let the bad weigh us down, rather than the good lifting us up.
Look for the good. Remember it. Value it. Be uplifted by it.
Our friend is alive, getting excellent medical care, and I know from my own dad's experience that a warning heart attack, if heeded, can result in many decades of high-quality life after.
And so, with that in mind, I give you THE WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK (courtesy of the American Heart Association)
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Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are 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, 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.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1... Get to a hospital right away.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving 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. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.
If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
Spread the word. Repost this in your livejournal. Don't let anyone get away with "oh, it wasn't anything, I didn't want to worry your mother" (yes, I'm looking at YOU, dad)
Look for the good. Remember it. Value it. Be uplifted by it.
Our friend is alive, getting excellent medical care, and I know from my own dad's experience that a warning heart attack, if heeded, can result in many decades of high-quality life after.
And so, with that in mind, I give you THE WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK (courtesy of the American Heart Association)
-------
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are 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, 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.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1... Get to a hospital right away.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving 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. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.
If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
Spread the word. Repost this in your livejournal. Don't let anyone get away with "oh, it wasn't anything, I didn't want to worry your mother" (yes, I'm looking at YOU, dad)
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Date: 2006-09-21 02:25 am (UTC)...but now my inner hypochondriac is perking up its ears and scratching its way out of the hole I keep trying to bury it in :-p
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Date: 2006-09-21 03:31 pm (UTC)