Women and Heart Health

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February is designated as "American Heart Month" and I am posting this BLOG in Honor of my Mother, Rev. Dr. Essie C. Greene, who died after suffering a major Heart Attack. Mom, was one of many Women who choose not to go to the Doctor, unless she absolutely had to. In her latter years, it was discovered, via Heart Catherization Procedure, that there was a lot of blockage in her heart and multiple Coronary Stents were inserted. 

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and other Medical sources, Heart Disease is the #1 killer of Women in the United States. Several risk factors for women include: Obesity; High Blood Pressure; High Cholesterol; Smoking; Diabetes; Unhealthy Diets; Menopause and more. It is also important to know that Heart Disease symptoms can be different between women and men and in some cases, there are no symptoms at all. This is why regular Medical Care appointments and Preventive Care are crucial.

The term "Heart Disease" actually refers to several issues that effect the Heart's function. Mom had multiple blockages, my oldest Sister had Congestive Heart Failure and I have Mitral Valve Regurgitation, or Mitral Insufficiency. This is when the heart's Mitral Valve does not close tightly/properly and this allows blood to flow backward in the heart. This can last for years or for your lifetime.

Some symptoms of Heart Disease include: dull or sharp pains in the chest; pain in the neck or jaw; abdominal pain; nausea and extreme fatigue. Again, remember you can also have Heart Disease with little to no symptoms.

I vividly remember the final days of Mom's life as she dealt, in her own way, with the death of her Husband of 50 years while battling the horrific grips Alzheimer's Disease. The last day that she was at home she had a Heart Attack. Because she could not verbalize her pain, etc., we have no idea how long she was in pain. As with a lot of women when having a Heart Attack, she vomited and slid out of her chair. When the EMT arrived and placed her in the back of the Ambulance, she was alive still and breathing on her own. Within moments, she went into Cardiac Arrest and stopped breathing. The EMT's worked hard to get her back and then placed her on Life Support. They later explained that there was severe brain damage because she was without oxygen for a very long time. She transitioned the next day a little after 5:00 a.m.

Ladies, again I say, I dedicate this post to her memory, to her loving spirit and generosity. You can help me honor her by getting your check-ups and paying close attention to the risk factors for Heart Disease. There are people in your life who need you, healthy and happy.



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