Wellness & Lifestyle

How to Manage Stress

What is a Pacemaker?

Try These Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

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Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Heart disease is our nation's number one killer.  About half of the deaths from heart disease are from heart attacks, with at least 250,000 people dying before they get to a hospital.  But many of these deaths can be prevented - by acting fast!

What are the signs?

• You feel pressure, fullness, discomfort or squeezing in the center of your chest.  It lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
• You feel pain that goes to your shoulders, back or arms.
• You sweat and have discomfort in your chest and feel lightheaded, faint, sick to your stomach or short of breath.

What should I do if I suspect a heart attack?

• Call 911 or the emergency medical number in your area (fire department or ambulance).
• If you can get the victim to the hospital quicker by driving yourself (rather than waiting for an ambulance) do it.  If you're having a heart attack, don't drive - ask someone to drive you and go to the nearest medical facility with 24-hur emergency cardiac care.

What else can I do?

• If you're properly trained and it's necessary, you can give CPR (mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compression) until help arrives.
• Before there's an emergency, it's a good idea to find out which hospitals in your area have 24-hour cardiac card.  Also, keep a list of emergency phone numbers next to your phone and with you at all times, just in case.  Take these steps NOW.

How to Manage Stress

You can have a healthier heart when you make changes in your lifestyle. Managing your emotions better may help, because some people respond to certain situations in ways that can help, because some people respond to certain situations in ways that can cause health problems for them.  For instance, someone feeling pressured by difficult circumstances might start smoking or smoke more, overeat and become overweight, or in some cases develop high blood pressure.  Finding more satisfactory ways to respond to pressure will help protect their health.

What is Stress?

Stress is your body’s response to change.  It’s a very individual thing.  A situation that one person finds stressful may not bother someone else.  For example, one person may become tense when driving; another person may find driving a source of relaxation and job.  Something that causes fear in some people, such as rock climbing, may be fun for others.  There’s no way to say that one thing is "bad" or "stressful" because everyone’s different.

Not all stress is bad, either.  Speaking to a group or watching a close football game can be stressful, but they can be fun, too.  Life would be dull without some stress.  The key is to manage stress properly, because too much of it may lead to health problems in some people.

How does stress make you feel?

• It can make you feel angry, afraid, excited or helpless.
• It can make it hard to sleep.
• It can give you aches in your head, neck, jaw and back.
• It can lead to habits like smoking, drinking, overeating or drug abuse.
• You may not even feel it al all, even though your body suffers from it.

How can I cope with it?

Outside events (like problems with your boss, preparing to move or worrying about a child’s wedding) can be upsetting.  But remember that it’s not the outside force, but how you react to it inside that’s important.  You can’t control all the outside events in your life, but you can change how you handle them emotionally and psychologically.  
Here are some good ways to cope:

• Take 15-20 minutes a day to sit quietly, breath deeply, and think of a peaceful picture.
• Try to learn to accept things you can’t change. You don’t have to solve all of life’s problems. Talk out your troubles and look for the good instead of the bad in situations.
• Exercise regularly. Do what you enjoy – walk, swim, ride a bike or jog to get your big muscles going. Letting go of the tension in your body will help you feel a lot better.
• Limit caffeine (coffee, tea and soft drinks). Also limit alcohol and don’t smoke.

How can I live a more relaxed life?

• Think ahead about what may upset you. Some things you can avoid. For example, spend less time with people who bother you or avoid driving in rush-hour traffic.
• Think about problems and try to come up with solutions. You can talk to your boss about difficulties at work, talk with your neighbor if the dog next door bothers you, or get help when you have too much to do.
• Change how you respond to difficult situations. Be positive, not negative.
• Learn to say no. Don’t promise too much. Give yourself enough time to get things done.

What is a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a small unit that uses batteries to help your heart beat more regularly. It does this with a small electric shock that helps control your heartbeat. Your doctor puts the pacemaker under the skin on your chest, just under your collarbone. It's hooked up to your heart with tiny wires.

You may need a pacemaker to keep your heart contracting and pumping blood. This way your body gets the blood, oxygen and food that it needs. Some people just need a pacemaker for a short time (like after a heart attack) and may use a kind that's outside the skin. The battery unit for this type can be worn on a belt.

Why would I need one?

• Your heart beats too slowly
• Your heart doesn't beat regularly
• There's a block in your heart's electrical pathways

How does it work?

• The pacemaker uses batteries to send electric signals to your heart to help it pump the right way.
• An electrode is put next to your heart. Tiny electric charges that you can't feel move through the wire to your heart.
• Many modern pacemakers work only when needed. They're called "demand" pacemakers. They shut off if your heartbeat is above a certain rate. They go on when your heartbeat is too slow.

How do I live with my pacemaker?

• Check your pulse and keep a record of it the way your doctor tells you.
• Your doctor will teach you how to know when you need new batteries and how to replace them.
• Take your medicine the way your doctor tells you.
• Tell your doctor if you have trouble breathing, if you gain weight or get puffy legs or ankles, or if you faint, blackout or get dizzy.
• Household microwaves and electricity DO NOT affect your pacemaker. If you work around industrial microwaves, electricity, cars or other large motors, ask your doctor about possible side effects.
• Carry an ID card in your wallet so others know you have a pacemaker.
• Tell airport security that you have a pacemaker.
• Tell your other doctors and your dentist that you have a pacemaker.

Do I have to take it easy?

• Most people lead full lives with their pacemaker.
• It's good to do some physical activity every day.
• You can exercise if your doctor says so.
• You shouldn't overdo it - stop before you're tired.
• You can have sex.

Try These Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

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