Argh... groan... moan....

That's the sound of me wrestling my soapbox out of the corner and preparing to take center stage for a moment.  I hope you will indulge me this space and time.

Friday, Feb. 5 is a very important day to me - in the US it is the national Go RED for women's heart health day.  

Many of you new people here may not know this, but I am one of the fortunate women to have survived a heart attack.  A large majority of women never get a second chance, for some reason two years ago I did.

There aren't enough words that I can put here to express to you the importance of remembering the rest of your body, outside of the MS, needs attention too.  That is especially important for your heart.

If you don't know your numbers, you need to schedule an appointment and find them out.  You should know your blood pressure.  You should know your cholesterol readings.  Unfortunately we should also know our weight.  :-)

All three sets of these numbers are critical to your heart health.  Control your blood pressure - yes, that's hard to do when you're dealing with all these unknowns but its important.  Take up meditation, long walks, prescription bp meds, whatever it takes to keep your numbers down.

Your total cholesterol should be under 200, but the proportion of good  (HDL) to bad (LDL) is even more important.  If you haven't had this simple fasting blood test done (or you haven't done it in the past year or so) now is the time to take charge.  Change of diet, exercise, and yes even prescription meds can help to lower your numbers.

Weight is a big issue for many of us - we can ignore the scales but we can't ignore the additional strain extra weight puts on our heart.  We can't all do strenuous exercise, but we  can all find something we can do --- there are even great aerobic chair exercises.  Not only will our hearts benefit, so will our MS.

Women heart symptoms can be very different than those of men.  MS and heart disease aren't very dissimilar in how they are treated by many doctors.  Too many women have been sent away with a pat on the head, being told there is nothing wrong, only to have a major event a short time later.  If you think you have something wrong, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.

If you think you are in crisis, don't hesitate to go to the ER  -  time is muscle and the heart is the most important muscle we have.

More women die from coronary disease each year than the number of women who die from the next 7 causes of death, combined.  Why aren't we aware of this ?  A wise cardiologist once said that we can't hear voices from the grave.

So maybe I do know why I am still around - I have a big mouth and feel obligated to speak on behalf of all those women who no longer can.  

I hope you will take the time to learn more about protecting yourself and the people you love.  Please join us and wear red on Friday - help us to make this killer visible.

Thanks for listening  - I'll get down off the soapbox now, but you know I won't stop spreading this message.

be well,
Lulu

[coco31]

Getting my red shirt out for work now!

My colleague (and probably one of my best friends) had high BP and a left sided facial palsy last friday. Also high cholesterol level..... Strong family history of heart disease and stroke and at 44 I was so worried about her.

Not overwieght, none smoker.... gosh how can one predict these things? query CVA.

I saw a young 9 year old girl and did her admission to the hospital just last week with lukemia ..... other peoples diseases and disorders really make you stop, think and evaluate your own situation.....

So glad you pulled through. We'd be lost without you here. Will try and become more aware of other things either associated or not with MS and be active about it. Thank you for the reminder.

Sharon

[Nancy T]

Great post, Lulu, thanks! We are so glad you're here! :)

That silly cholesterol... I had mine skyrocket a couple years or so after menopause, got on medication which brought it down nicely, and then this year I had a HUGE drop in all the bad stuff (incl. triglycerides) and a huge jump in the good cholesterol, with no change in medication. I credit the fact that I eat tons of nuts!

(If you are what you eat, that would explain a lot of things. :)

But I know it's no time to be smug. Still struggling with my weight.

Heart trouble is certainly reason enough, but keeping cholesterol and BP under control is also very important in avoiding stroke. (For me that's even more important, especially given my family history and already-spotty brain.)

Thanks again, Lulu, for the great info and reminders!!

Nancy

[supermum_ms]

Hey Lulu,

Sing loud and proud!!!

Cheers.....JJ

[mistylee]

Thanks Lulu for this post. It is a subject dear to me also.

My mum was told her chest pains were anxiety. But no.....at the age of 56 she died of a heart attack causing heart failure.  She was overweight, diabetic and mildly high cholesterol.

Please I can't stress enough......if you think there is really something wrong  with you, get a proper check, don't be fobbed of as a head case...it could save your life.

If only I knew then what I know now...I would have pushed her to get help but she thought the sun shone out of her DRS backside and he was up on a pedistle.

You get up on that soapbox Lulu all you want.....I'll help you climb up!!!  In fact ....right up there with ya!!

Mistylee

[PastorDan]

I'll have you speak from the pulpit this Sunday, LauraLu.  Amen!

I've lost many dearly-loved ladies to various factors, far from the least of whom would be my 2nd wife, Loretta.  Even though it wasn't the heart that took her, I have little doubt she'd still be here had she been in proper control of the risk factors you mention.  She was gone way too soon, by my measure.

Take good care of yourselves, ladies.  Someone's world will be devastated if you don't.

I'm wearing burgundy today, but the bright red shirt that matches my car is hanging near the ironing board, ready for tomorrow.

[sllowe]

Thank you Laura! Here you loud and clear! Gonna get myself and hubby checked this yr. preventative stuff. Heart disease is in the family

This is a great reminder to us all!

[jensequitur]

Thanks, Lulu!  My hubby came closing to dying in 2003 when he had a partial blockage of the LAD...  A stent and several bottles of BP medication later, he's as healthy as a horse with a stent in him.  He was only 39 at the time.  So this can happen at any age.  

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks from me, too, Lulu!

My mom had high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, a number of stroke, was overweight, and sedentary.  She died at 76 when her heart could not be returned to its regular rhythm while in atrial fibrillation.

I've been wearing an event monitor over the past week or so, to get a handle on my increased heart rate with exertion.  I don't want any surprises.  

My BP is good, except at my neuro's, where they use this little electronic cuff.  My cholesterol went up from 2005 to 2008, though my ratio was still good.  I'll work on improving it as I work on getting more exercise and losing my limboland-blues weight gain.  Guess I should include more almonds and walnuts in my diet!

OK, I finally called and left a message for the person to contact about the gentle yoga for people with MS classes that I've been meaning to look into.

I will  be wearing my one red shirt tomorrow.

Yep, that was an inspiring talk from your soapbox, Lulu!

Kathy

[Wobbly]

thanks for this reminder and I'm glad you are one of the many to survive and I know that many don't survive this horrible thing.  

I'm going to get myself check out as I do have concerns with my heart fluttering quite often and a fullness feeling...not sure if it's shortness of breath or what... I have been using my puffer alot more then ever lately..

take care everyone
wobbly
dx

[skyeblues]

getting my red shirt ready for tomorrow....

Your post was inspirational!  

Thank you so much.

skye