Is there anything more soul-crushing than losing someone you love?
A broken heart maybe one of the most emotionally intense experiences any of us will ever go through. The end of a romantic relationship or the death of someone you care about deeply can cause incredible stress, and when we’re stressed, our bodies produce an excess of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. In small amounts, this is not such a bad thing, but high levels of these hormones raise the heart rate and can overwhelm the heart.
You may be surprised to learn that there’s a condition called “broken heart syndrome,” also known as “stress-induced cardiomyopathy” that is triggered by an onset of emotional distress. In some cases, the symptoms of a broken heart are very similar to those of a heart attack. The symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, low blood pressure and temporary heart failure. The American Heart Association reports some good and bad news about broken heart syndrome:
The bad news: Broken heart syndrome can lead to severe, short-term heart muscle failure.
The good news: Broken heart syndrome is usually treatable. Most people who experience it make a full recovery within weeks, and they’re at low risk for it happening again.
While a broken heart syndrome tends to go away rather quickly and rarely causes fatalities or permanent heart damage, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. Some things are out of our control, like family history, sex and age, but there are key things we can do to maintain a healthy heart. A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for heart disease by as much as 80 percent.
Simple changes can make a big difference!
- Avoid smoking. Smoking replaces some of the oxygen in your blood with carbon monoxide from the cigarette smoke. This, in turn, increases your heart rate and blood pressure and forces your heart to work harder.
- Get regular exercise. Experts recommend 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week. Activities such as gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog also count towards your weekly total.
- Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, low-fat sources of protein, whole grains can help protect your heart. Alcohol, in moderation, can have a protective effect on your heart, but excess alcohol is a health hazard.
- Manage your weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 and waist circumference over 40 inches for men and over 35 inches for women increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Make sleep a priority. Sleep deprivation can harm your health. Feeling refreshed is a good indicator that you are getting enough rest, but if it’s a struggle to get out of bed, you may need to get more sleep.
- Get regular health screenings. Regular screening can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action. Without regular follow-up and testing, you probably won’t know until it’s too late.
Fun Facts about your heart:
- The hardest-working muscle in your body is your heart.
- The average heart weighs between 7 and 15 ounces and is a little larger than the size of your fist.
- It begins beating about 22 days after conception, and ends, well, when you do.
- By the end of a long life, a human heart can beat up to 3.5 billion times.
- Laughter and music are good for the heart.
- Take a chill pill. Relax often, it’s good for your heart.
February is Heart Healthy Month.
“During American Heart Month … let us renew our efforts to raise awareness of this disease and its consequences, and let us recommit to building a healthier, heartier future for all.” – Barack Obama
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To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Educate . Empower . Encourage
Promoting inner health & outer beauty!
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