When Seconds Count: A Daughter's Story of Heart Health

February is American Heart Health Month; for me, it's deeply personal. In 2004, my mother's experience changed how I view heart health forever.

It started subtly – my mother had been having mini-strokes that went unnoticed. The severity of her condition only became clear during a hospital stay when she needed a shunt placement in her head. Though the procedure seemed successful, what happened next is forever etched in my memory.

The steady beep of hospital monitors suddenly turned into chaos as my mother went into cardiac arrest. "Code Blue" echoed through the hallways. I watched helplessly as medical staff rushed into her room, and I was quickly ushered out. Those moments of waiting, watching doctors and nurses sprint to save her life, felt eternal. She was transferred to ICU, where her journey to recovery began.

 Protecting Your Heart: Essential Steps

My mother's experience taught me the importance of heart health awareness. Here are crucial steps everyone should take:

1. Know Your Numbers

- Blood pressure: Check regularly

- Cholesterol levels: Annual screening

- Blood sugar levels: Monitor as recommended by your doctor

2. Recognize Warning Signs

- Unexplained fatigue or weakness

- Shortness of breath

- Chest pain or discomfort

- Numbness in arms or face

- Vision changes

- Sudden confusion

3. Lifestyle Changes That Matter

- Maintain regular physical activity (30 minutes daily)

- Choose heart-healthy foods rich in omega-3s and fiber

- Limit sodium intake

- Quit smoking

- Manage stress through meditation or regular exercise

- Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly)

Why This Month Matters

February isn't just another health awareness month – it's a reminder that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America. It's an opportunity to assess our heart health and make necessary changes before a crisis occurs.

For families like mine, it's a reminder of close calls and second chances. It's about transforming fear into action and knowledge into prevention.

Don't wait for a Code Blue to take your heart health seriously. Start today.

Submitted by Author Patricia A. Saunders

www.patriciaAsaunders.com