I am sure the title may have grabbed your attention or perhaps brought you back to some song lyrics from the 70’s or 80’s. While I am sorry to disappoint, this blog is more serious in nature. February is heart health month, and I want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of taking care of your heart and being aware of the signs of a heart attack. Every year approximately 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. This topic is personal to me as one of my family members died of a sudden heart attack at 56 in 2020. She left behind a family that loved her and yet had so many questions about whether she had any of the warning signs or could have been prevented. There are things we can do to reduce our risk or prevent a cardiac event from occurring. By choosing healthy foods and drinks, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, and having annual physical exams by a medical provider, we can reduce our heart attack risk. Recognizing early warning signs such as chest pain or discomfort, pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder, feeling nauseous, light-headedness, or being unusually tired should trigger you to seek medical attention. Take time to protect your heart and those you love.
Kris Jacobson, LNHA, LALD, MBA
JMHS CEO