I work around a lot of young people, around 23 to 30 years of age, and I've noticed how health concerns aren't taken as seriously for several of the younger people I work with. I also know that I didn't take my health very seriously when I was that age either.
Now I find myself looking more into my own health risk and family health history. I think this is mainly because now I have children and I want to know about what to look for as I age and how to talk to my kids when they turn into young adults about what they need to think about in terms of preventive health. In addition, what they need to screen for to ensure good health. Health screening isn't a new concept but for me it has been.
I think through watching family members and watching people not take their health seriously I think more about taking my own health seriously.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
What is a silent heart attack?
My ignorance, but I just assumed that most people know when they are having a heart attack. I assumed that you feel excruciating pain in your chest and your arm. Well I recently asked someone who had a heart attack and was surprised. In fact, I read that almost 50% of people having a heart attack don't know they are having a heart attack.
I thought that silent heart attacks were rare but after reading some articles on CNN I found that there not so rare.
A concern that I'm having being that heart disease runs in my family is how do you know when your having a heart attack or when tightness in your chest is just gas and not a heart attack? When do I go see a doctor? My risk for heart attack is low but there is a family history and that's when I worry. When do I go see a doctor?
So I've learned that a silent heart attack means that that absence of pain but not the absence of damage to the heart and arteries.
Most physicians would probably encourage undergoing preventive screening when you have 2 to 3 risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. For me getting answers to questions about screening for risk of heart attack is where I've decided to start.
I thought that silent heart attacks were rare but after reading some articles on CNN I found that there not so rare.
A concern that I'm having being that heart disease runs in my family is how do you know when your having a heart attack or when tightness in your chest is just gas and not a heart attack? When do I go see a doctor? My risk for heart attack is low but there is a family history and that's when I worry. When do I go see a doctor?
So I've learned that a silent heart attack means that that absence of pain but not the absence of damage to the heart and arteries.
Most physicians would probably encourage undergoing preventive screening when you have 2 to 3 risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. For me getting answers to questions about screening for risk of heart attack is where I've decided to start.
The Search For Heart Disease Info. Where Do I Begin?
For far too many people the initial signs of heart disease can be frightening and confusing. There is so much information that is out there and it can become overwhelming.
I have found myself scouring online sites for information. Not just websites that have calculators that calculate your risk but information on risk factors and screening options. I talked with a friend that works at a large company and he says last summer his company offered mobile screening.
Well I was enthralled with the idea of having access to health screening and it turns out my company signed on to provide mobile health screening onsite.
Well it's a start and I feel like I at least will have access to information and actually be able to talk with someone one on one about risk and preventive screening on a regular basis.
Check with your job about hosting a mobile screening for you and your coworkers. Overall it pays off not just for you but for the company. Healthy employees are happy employees : )
I have found myself scouring online sites for information. Not just websites that have calculators that calculate your risk but information on risk factors and screening options. I talked with a friend that works at a large company and he says last summer his company offered mobile screening.
Well I was enthralled with the idea of having access to health screening and it turns out my company signed on to provide mobile health screening onsite.
Well it's a start and I feel like I at least will have access to information and actually be able to talk with someone one on one about risk and preventive screening on a regular basis.
Check with your job about hosting a mobile screening for you and your coworkers. Overall it pays off not just for you but for the company. Healthy employees are happy employees : )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)