As a peaceful warrior, I would choose when, where and how I would behave.
With that commitment, I began to live the life of a warrior.
~Dan Millman

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

An Affair of the Heart

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." ~Confucius

It's here, February is National Heart Health Month. ~ mwah!


So, whether you are protective of your physical heart or your emotional heart...it is a good time to check in on both. But let's start with the rhythmic pulse and electrical wonder that pumps over and over and over...and over

Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. When it is someone we know, we are usually first shocked, then worried, what about me? Maybe I'll get to the gym again or eat a few more vegetables. While these are good intentions, they may not last long if you don't have motivation to anchor it in. What about those you love?


About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within
1 hour of the start of symptoms and before help can arrive.

Don't do it! Don't let it happen to your or someone that you love. We don't have to be in the dark on this. A simple serum blood test can help measure your markers. "What do those include," you say? Thought you'd never ask!

A basic profile would consist of:
  • Diabetes - Glucose
  • Lipid profile
  • Kidney profile
  • Liver profile
  • Fluids & Electrolytes
  • Mineral & Bone
It's called a CardioPlus panel and during the month of February can be ordered for $35.00. That's it?? $35.00 to see if you are at risk? To check in because it 'as been awhile! Anyone out there on medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol? Anyone worried about their dad? Spouse? Grandmother?

Already at risk? want to add in C-Reactive Protien (CRP) and homocysteine? $119 a small price to pay if you are concerned about inflammatory conditions and the health of your heart.

These tests can be ordered by your doctor, but can range from $250 - $600. Hopefully you have great insurance. If not, you are prepared with an HSA. Otherwise, you can order them yourself from a company called DirectLabs.com. Did I mention that this month they are $35 for the basic?

Yep, that's it!

If your doctor will work with you, get in there. Get checked up :-) If you are not a doctor person, don't have coverage, worried about a loved one, no excuse you can order the tests yourself or through your choice of preventative practitioners like me. We can review the results with you and offer lifestyle solutions, when needed.

We don't want to preach. We just want you to be informed. No suprises are good when it comes to healthy bio-markers!

Glug glug...glug glug... ~j

2 comments:

JeffO said...

My physical heart is strong, but I'm never certain I won't give myself a heart attack with the extreme stuff I do.
But I think my emotional heart died over a decade ago! Or was it decades ago? Or is it every day?
I think lots of people feel that way, though.

Unknown said...

Since none of us are fortune tellers, well, that we know of in this forum...it's hard to say what the future holds.

As for the physical heart...we now know that if something in the general panel comes back elevated, we can check the isoenzymes, which will indicate whether it is true cardiac stress or a muscular/skeletal thing. You know, like overtraining :-) It also shows up in the lipid panel as HDL over 80, that indicates an inflammatory response. So...Jeff, we have ways, we have ways.

The emotional heart, well, that is where hope, faith and love are our anchors and the greatest of these are love...you must be very blessed by your son.

I think you are right about lots of people, a day, give or take a decade. It's the roller coaster effect and the element of surprise, no matter how many times your ride it, you are left breathless and can still loose your stomach while screaming with delight. When you disembark exhilarated or exhausted, you're wondering if you loved it or hated it and if you should go again.