nurseloretta's posterous

THE BRENDA CASTEN LEUKEMIA FUND NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT NOW

I am asking ALL my friends to read this it’s very important…

I was coming home tonight and thinking of 1,000 things I had to do. While waiting for coffee, I checked my messages and all of a sudden nothing was more important than this one sad update regarding a young mother, Brenda Casten who is being beaten by Leukemia -- her family needs help NOW… right now.  So I am asking you to pass this post along so that everyone is aware and if everyone helps a little, it will mean a lot.

This was the status update from the Brenda Casten Leukemia Fund:  "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Brenda's cancer has returned. The doctors say that it is too aggressive for the chemo treatments to be effective. They have decided to cease all treatments and transfer Brenda to a hospice. Please pray for her with all of your hearts."

I am asking you all to pray for this young mother, Brenda (who is only 24) and her husband Mike and 3 children; I am also asking you to donate to her fund because Brenda is in hospice now and her husband should be able to be by her side without having to worry about money.  They need funds to relieve the burden of medical expenses, childcare, and any other expenses.

 

Regardless of what you see on some posts that haven't been updated (including the poster below), Brenda is NOT in remission... just two weeks ago she was celebrating because she thought that she had won this battle, but then tonight there was this news.

DONATIONS FOR THE BRENDA CASTEN LEUKEMIA FUND:
https://www.wepay.com/donate/BrendaCastenLeukemiaFund

OR DEPOSIT DIRECTLY INTO THIS ACCOUNT AT ANY CHASE BANK:
Chase Bank ----> Account #3030504462

*This is not a charitable organization. Donations are not tax deductible.

 

Family Fun Day to Benefit Juvenile Diabetes

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Family Fun Day to Benefit Juvenile Diabetes

 Michael’s Miracles in Motion

A local Raritan, New Jersey non-profit host family fun day

Duke Island Park

May 28, 2011   11am-4pm

On Saturday, May 28th, Michael’s Miracles, a NJ Non Profit and Open Road of Bridgewater/Mercedes-Benz, will host a Family Bike-a-thon and activity day at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater.

Event begins at 11am with registration and bicycle safety rodeo.  Activities include; bounce house, human hamster ball, bicycle games, soccer clinics, dance demonstrations, DJ, hula hoop contest, craft tables, face painting and lots of information about local sports clubs.  Meet the wonderful Raritan Fire Fighters and the Somerville/Raritan EMS. 

The event is free.  The 2-10 mile bike-a-thon is $10 to participate; all riders receive a t-shirt, goodie bag and lunch. Please visit the website at www.michaelsmiracles.net for registration information, call Kim Buonocore at 908-391-0220 or you may email me, Loretta Jamar LorettaXJ@gmail.com.

"The Journey of a Thousand miles begins with a single step."

Is your brand in need of a health check?

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Every business needs to thrive, and to do so it must be in “good health”... have you done a check-up on your brand lately?  You take your car to the shop if it’s not acting right, and you would immediately call your I.T. rep if you suspected a virus on your computer... your brand health is just as significant for your thriving business.

A good business manager or independent consultant wants to be the “Brandologist”; instinctively, we want to reap the fruit of our labor and have our successes reach # 1 and get noticed for it ... but how do we get there?   We are living in a world where internet presence is crucial, the traffic is worse than ever and visibility is critical – visibility to attract future clients, our peers and followers who enhance or complement our business.  You need to “say it loud and say it proud” to be heard in a noisy world.  But, in order to get to the top of the line, you need a plan.   If you fail to have a plan, you plan to fail and in business, there is no room for failure.  I have been fortunate to be part of the team at AdvanceMarketWoRx with founder, Ellen Hoenig Carlson for the past five years...  working with a “Brand Champion”!  I strongly suggest that you check out her recent blog where she shares her latest eBook, entitled:  “Keep your brand healthy and thriving” – click here for a complimentary download, or view it on Slideshare.

Check out Ellen’s Blog, “Notes from the Back of the Book” ... and follow her on Twitter @ellenhoenig.

Be well, be safe and be healthy!

Diabetes has a wing

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This is just a short follow-up post to “show” you the importance of Diabetes testing.
 
Remember when I told you about my son getting diagnosed last year; and that as a young adult he is in the “honeymoon phase” between Type 1 and Type 2? See my post this week; “Diabetes doesn’t have to slow you down” – Alert Day – Get Tested! I thought about it strongly and decided I should have my son go back to the doctor this month for a follow-up (even though he wasn’t due until June); for the past few months he has just been on Januvia, we stopped the Metformin because he was losing so much weight. Since he was so depressed, the doctor let him cheat some and STILL his sugar levels have NEVER gone over 110 (should not go over 140)... so, I made an appointment and we got the lab work done and went to see the doctor this morning.If you recall, I explained the importance of testing early, and that newly diagnosed young adults may be in the Honeymoon Phase and have enough beta cells still producing. My son has been on oral meds so far, with the Lantus Solo-Star Lancet insulin pen sitting in the meds cabinet, waiting for the doctor to tell me that his HbA1c (aka a1c) and the C-Peptide test means he needs to start insulin shots. When he was first diagnosed, the doctor wanted to start them but I asked her to hold off a few months, since we didn’t know if he was Type 1 or Type 2; she knows that I am a nurse and trusted me to watch him closely, so she agreed. I am forever grateful to her for that trust.... these were the results from the recent lab tests:

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  1. Basic chem tests – results = normal (The doctor tested everything to check if there were other health problems to be concerned with since he was losing weight rapidly (he was 159lbs. in March 2010, but last month he was 124lbs.). However, since last month we added another Glucerna to his routine and forcing him to finish lunch and dinner. Likewise, he has to “go for walks” to work up his appetite. Glucerna has lots of ingredients to help with blood sugar spikes and reduce the HbA1c, including Chromium, which is a trace mineral that helps the body’s own insulin work more efficiently to allow blood sugar to move from the blood into the cells.
  2. He was weighed at the doctor’s office and he was 128.4 – he gained almost 5 lbs.!
  3. A1c and C-Peptide - His AIC was 5.4 – The AIC test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered pre-diabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes. And the C-Peptide was 3.2 - normal could be anything between 0.5 Nano grams (ng) per milliliter (ml) and 3ng/ml.

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    What does all of this mean?

"Diabetes doesn’t have to slow you down” Alert Day – Get Tested!

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Today, March 22nd is Diabetes Alert Day; I want to support the ADA in spreading the word...  it is a one-day "wake-up" call asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.  You can take the Diabetes Risk Test now!

I am especially worried about young adults and teens – the YOUNG American public, who may not visit their doctor too often; or they are away from home at college or for whatever reason doesn’t think they are “old enough” to have Diabetes.  In the minds of some young people, they associate all illnesses with “getting older” or “not taking care of yourself”.   Diabetes has no label at all; you can be any age, race or religion.  However, race, age, your weight and family history “can” determine whether you are at risk.   I am posting this blog, in honor of my son, who was diagnosed with Diabetes this year.

It is important to take the test, and I will tell you why...   several years ago, my sister in law (who was a young mom) was curling her hair and all of a sudden fell to the floor, thank goodness my other sister-in-law was there and performed CPR.  It turns out that she had diabetes and went into a diabetic coma for a few weeks.  She had no idea that her sugar was high; whenever she “wasn’t feeling right”; she attributed it to stress, work, fatigue or her thyroid condition.  Thank God, she is doing well today due to the oral meds and ADA diet.  Last year, my son (age 18) became increasingly thirsty, but since he is at the doctor’s office routinely for other conditions, I didn’t think anything was serious.  After all, I am with him all the time, he isn’t overweight and he eats well; no junk food in his daily routine except for an occasional Coke or Hershey candy.   He doesn’t even have ANY cavities!   However, the day he drank over 30 glasses of fluids... I was worried.  An immediate visit with our family physician showed his blood sugar was 478 on an empty stomach!!!   Average glucose levels fall between 70 and 140 mg. Levels typically are lower in the morning, and rise after meals.

Many young people were shocked a few years ago to learn that Nick Jones of the Jonas Brothers was diagnosed with diabetes, read his story: Diabetes Won't Stop Nick Jonas.  He is now the spokesperson for Bayer (see his blogs at “Nicks Simple Wins”) .  Nick has all sort of helpful items on the site, such as the dog tags and the Nick Jonas' CONTOUR USB Meter (a USB drive meter, so you can check easily and keep records on your computer) Proceeds from each sale will be donated by Bayer to the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation..  Nick Jonas says the Contour USB Meter is best for him because of his hectic schedule.  Nick Jonas is the same age as my son.

Let me tell you the main reason for young people to get treated if you learn that you ARE Diabetic... it’s because there are different types and many plans of treatment, and in some cases, the sooner that you are treated MAY make a big difference on your life plan.   If you’re a child and get diagnosed as Diabetic, it’s called Juvenile Diabetes aka Type 1; and if you’re an adult with Diabetes, it can also be Type 1, but usually is Type 1.5 or Type 2  - here are the differences:

If you have diabetes, the amount of blood glucose is too high - a condition called hyperglycemia. This happens for one of two main reasons:

·         The body is producing no insulin - this is Diabetes Type 1

·         The cells do not respond correctly to the insulin - this is Diabetes Type 1

·         Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA), also known as Diabetes Type 1.5, is used to describe slow-onset Type 1 autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Type 2 Diabetes sometimes called “insulin resistance” can be a diagnosis related to other conditions that young people have such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) – but there are other illnesses that health care providers now believe can be associated with “insulin resistance”.

However, in young people, many are newly diagnosed in a “honeymoon phase”, where the body may still be producing some insulin.  This needs to be treated carefully, sometimes with insulin AND oral meds; many doctors believe that a combination of meds can be instrumental in an effort to preserve some of the beta cells that have not been destroyed.  Treatment with insulin may allow the beta cells to recover and produce some amount of insulin. As a result the doses of injected insulin can be decreased and blood sugar control is improved. The honeymoon period does not occur in all patients.    

Other things to check out... when my son was just diagnosed, he was very moody, depressed, and tired.  After he knew what we were dealing with, he was still annoyed at having to give up some foods, but after a while, he learned to enjoy other foods in moderation and in balance with his glucose values for the day.  It’s all about making the right choices, eating the correct portion sizes and doing it in moderation.   Medication adjustments have been going on all year, but we have been “reducing” the oral meds, which may just be temporary...  but at least “we know that”.

Stop_diabetes
Please check yourself... you will feel better just *knowing*.
Take the Diabetes Risk Test for free in one of three ways:

• Take the Diabetes Risk Test in English or Spanish
• Call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
• Text JOIN to 69866 (Standard data and message rates apply)

And if by chance you are diagnosed with Diabetes, here are some helpful links of things that can make your new diagnosis easier:

1)      Great book by Ginger Vieria  called “Your Diabetes Experiment” and you can buy it and check out her Video Blogs on her website, Living In Progress.  Ginger’s blogs have been instrumental to my son...  also check out her guest blog today at Notes from the back of the book    an intro by  Ellen Hoenig Carlson.   Ginger is a power-lifer and has great tips and ways to exercise; but more importantly, how to adjust your meals to your exercise plans.

2)      Pilates coach Kathi Casey posted a blog today about Diabetic Neuropathy  (nerve damage due to diabetes). Diabetic neuropathy is the most common serious complication of diabetes; about 50% of people with diabetes eventually develop some form of nerve damage. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage nerve fibers.  Important to read.

3)      Apps  for your smartphone/iPhones: 

·         TOP Free iPhone Diabetes Apps

·         Glucose Buddy

·         Log for Life

·         Diabetes Log

4)      Watches with 12 alarms to use as reminders to check insulin/take meds. Click Here  and also a Vibrating watch to take insulin.

5)      Some nice Diabetic jewelry  also Lauren's Hope - Stylish ID medical tags

6)      The Humalog KwikPen (Portable pen to take insulin)

7)      Preparing Students With Diabetes for Life at College

·         Type 1 Diabetes in College

·         Teenagers Living With Diabetes

·         Help for College Students with Diabetes

·         Exercise, Sports & Diabetes: Going for the Goal

·         Standardized Testing Tips for students with Diabetes

·         Students with Diabetes- Has tips for creating a routine and alcohol carb counts

·         College Diabetes Network

·   Meet the College Diabetes Network

8)      Lance Armstrong’s site LIVESTRONG:  Food & Snack Ideas for Teen Diabetics

9)      Invisible Bracelet  - Virtual medical tag with text messaging

10)   iPod Blood Glucose Meter from Sanofi-Aventis & Wavesense.

11)     Myabetic - Stylish/Convenient Testing Cases

Pharmaceutical companies are moving in the right direction to expand their reach in social media for tweens, teens and young adults; Sanofi-Aventis launched a new “Discuss Diabetes” blog .  The company launched a Facebook page and Twitter feed a while back and they made a “Go Meals” carb counter app available for the Android, iPhone and iPad.  Sanofi-Aventis and other pharma companies have YouTube Channels and are increasing their social media reach quickly to engage young people – this is a benefit for young people to get “accurate information” about the medication prescribed. 

I am finding new helpful links every day, so if you’re searching for something specific, leave me a comment – I may be able to help and perhaps we can continue to learn together!  Please get checked... it’s important for you and your life.

You can live well with Diabetes ... as Nick Jonas says “Diabetes doesn’t have to slow you down”!

New Lupus Drug Benlsta Approved

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First New Lupus Drug in 56 Years; Reduces Lupus Activity, May Cut Steroid Need

The fantastic news was reported this week; on March 9, 2011 ... we have all been waiting to hear this... finally... The FDA has approved Benlysta, the first new lupus drug since 1955.

Benlysta is approved for the treatment of patients with active, autoantibody-positive lupus who are getting standard therapy. Standard therapy includes corticosteroids, antimalarial drugs, immunosuppressive agents, and NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

As many as 1.5 million Americans have systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), commonly called lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which a particular type of white blood cell -- B lymphocytes -- turns the body's immune defenses against the body's own cells.

Benlysta inhibits the maturation of these B cells. Because B cells are crucial elements of the immune system, Benlysta carries serious risks. There were more deaths and serious infections among patients taking Benlysta than among patients taking placebo.  Common side effects of the drug included nausea, diarrhea and fever. 

The drug may work best for patients with moderate disease, says lupus expert Eric L. Greidinger, MD, chief of rheumatology and immunology at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine.

"The hope is that Benlysta may allow some of these patients who have persistently active lupus who are using substantial doses of steroids to bring their disease under better control, so they have less lupus activity and can take less steroids, exposing them to fewer of the many steroid-associated side effects," Greidinger tells WebMD.

Lupus is particularly common among African-American women. In clinical trials, African-American patients did not appear to respond to Benlysta as well as other patients -- so the manufacturer has agreed to conduct a new study of the drug in this subgroup of patients.  Benlysta was developed by Human Genome Sciences,, based in Rockville, Md., and will be co-marketed by Philadelphia-based GlaxoSmithKline

"It's a very exciting time in lupus," says Richard Furie, a rheumatologist at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in New York, who has conducted clinical trials of belimumab. "There's an awful lot of activity right now."  

Several companies have similar drugs in the pipeline, and are likely to be spurred on by belimumab's success, notes Furie.   Before 2009, when data from two large, successful clinical trials of belimumab were released, no drug developed for lupus had ever made it through a phase III clinical trial. "It was a little hard for these programmes to raise money when all the studies were failing," says Furie. "People said, 'you're never going to have a positive study'."

See how Lupus affects our internal and external organs:

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  [A 1902 watercolor of a man with Lupus erythematous - by Mabel Green.      Wellcome Library, London]

 Also see the WebMD Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Understanding Lupus

 

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Lupus is a mysterious chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys because the immune system attacks healthy tissues.  Almost all Lupus patients have some degree of joint pain and will face life threatening complications from this disease.

Some familiar faces of those diagnosed with Lupus...

The number of celebrities with lupus is growing almost every day, especially since the autoimmune disease does not distinguish between class, gender, race or riches. Some of the celebrities listed have already lost the battle to the dreadful disease or health complications.

 The King of Pop:  Michael Jackson

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 Musician:  Seal

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 Singer: Toni Braxton

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Actress:  Portia de Rossi

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 Baseball great:  Tim Raines

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Rapper:  Trick Daddy (Maurice Young)

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 Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner

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Musician/Singer:  Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) tested borderline positive.  
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Award winning American journalist: Charles Kuralt 

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Former First Lady, Barbara Bush    

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Backstreet Boys, Howie Dorough founded The Dorough Lupus Foundation in memory of his sister, Caroline Dorough-Cochran 

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Former president of the Philippines: Ferdinand Marcos  

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If you suspect that you may have Lupus, you should make an appointment to see your doctor.  Your doctor may order an ANA test (Antinuclear Antibody)  that will help determine whether the possibility of Lupus exists. Depending on the results, your doctor may decide to order further testing or refer you to a Rheumatologist.  Many times Lupus is masked by various symptoms and often times patients are not properly diagnosed for several years.  If you have already been diagnosed with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) , Psoriatic Arthritis, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Bursitis, Gout,  any other auto-immune disease or chronic pain syndrome,  just ask your doctor to do the ANA test especially if you have any rashes, skin disorders, new or unusual symptoms.  There are different types of Lupus [Drug-induced lupus Erythematous (DIL or DILE), Lupus Erythematous, Systemic Lupus  Erythematous (SLE) ,  Lupus nephritis, Lupus pernio, Lupus vulgaris]  and each patient has different signs and symptoms

Don’t be afraid to get tested – not knowing is very frightening.

For books about Lupus go to Amazon.com

For more information about Lupus, please ask your doctor and go to The Lupus Foundation

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO RESEARCH FOR THIS DISEASE
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH EFFORTS FOR A CURE.


Lupus Foundation of America

The Dorough Lupus Foundation

 The Lupus Research Institute

 Buy the purple wristband to show your support:

You can purchase through the Lupus Foundation, click here   

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Quick Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief – Mark your calendar! Tuesday March 8th at 8 pm EST

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Quick Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief – FREE TELEMINAR THIS WEEK!

“How To End Your Sciatic Nerve Pain Now And Keep It Away For Good!”

I am NOT KIDDING!

Mark your calendar!  Tuesday March 8th at 8 pm EST.

My good friend, Kathi Casey, ERYT, CPI, known as The Healthy Boomer Body Expert, and author of  “Get off the couch potato” has got good news for all of you suffering with lower back, neck or shoulder pain!  There is help on the way!  Kathi has helped people of all ages get back in shape, lose weight and feel better and she continues to share her knowledge again!

She has helped THOUSANDS of people stop their chronic back, hip or neck and shoulder pain in its tracks and get relief at last, and she will show you her best strategies for saying good bye to your “pain in the backside!”

…and you’ll have the opportunity to send in your questions before the teleseminar, Kathi will answer them personally.

On this teleseminar, she will show you the number one best way to relax all of the muscles in your back so that your pain stops and you can enjoy life again.

Kathi wants to share this proven technique with as many people as possible so that YOU can follow the same steps and strategies she has used for herself and her clients to relieve YOUR pain quickly too.  Whether you’re a nurse or other caregiver, truck driver, mom carrying kids around all day, or you’re shoveling your way out of another Northeast snowstorm, this program will bring you relief!

That’s why you’re invited to this FREE teleseminar on Tuesday, March 8th at 8pm EST.

And don’t worry, if you can’t make the call on Tuesday, she will be recording it. Register and Kathi will send you a link to the recording the next day. This recording will be available for 48 hrs after the event.

You can learn more, and register for it, right here: http://bit.ly/fDZGMe

I hope you’ll be there – especially if you’ve ever suffered from chronic back pain and were afraid that working out or stretching would cause you more pain. Relaxing those muscles first makes all the difference in the world!

Stop The Pain?  In only 5 Minutes?!  You’ll see just how easily it can be done.    By ANYONE!

Here’s that link again, so you can get registered right away:    http://bit.ly/fDZGMe

Best of Health,

Loretta

P.S. – remember there are limited lines available that night so grab your spot right now…

And make sure you check out Kathi’s site http://www.kathicaseypilates.com

But PLEASE consult with your physician before you begin ANY diet or exercise program.

Former cheerleaders got together to do a dance routine to benefit "Susan G. Komen for the Cure"

About 136 former cheerleaders got together to do a dance routine to benefit "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" (Breast Cancer). Each time someone views the video, United Healthcare will make a $.10 donation to the Komen organization. Their goal is to get a million hits, which will lead to $100K raised.

Please can you take a moment to watch the video - and, just as important, pass this link onto your network of friends, family and colleagues? It benefits a very important cause!

Thanks for helping!

 

Heart attack info NEW ASPIRIN

Just a reminder to all:   purchase a box, keep one in your car, pocketbook, wallet, bedside, etc.

H
   

 
Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve under the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets.

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Why keep aspirin by your bedside?
About Heart Attacks

There are other symptoms of a heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.
One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.  The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep did not wake up.  However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.

If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.

Afterward:    CALL 911
- say "heart attack!"
- say that you have taken 2 aspirins...
- phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and ...

~ DO NOT lie down ~

This is important - You should not

lie down while waiting for the EMT

 

A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person, forwards this post to 10 people, probably one life can be saved!

I have already shared the information - - What about you?

Please forward this message; it may save lives!

Why keep aspirin by your bedside?

Why keep aspirin by your bedside?

 About Heart Attacks

Heart-beat


There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.

One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.

Note: There may be no pain in the chest during a heart attack.
The majority of people (about 60%) who had an heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up.  However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.



Aspirin


If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.

Afterwards

 - phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by

 - say "heart attack!"

 - say that you have taken 2 aspirins.

 - take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and...

 ~ do NOT lie down ~

A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person shares this info to 10 people, probably one life can be saved!

I have already shared the information--

What about you?



Please forward this and save a life!