Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN’s Post

National Wear Red Day & American Heart Month Help promote American Heart Month throughout February and National Wear Red Day (February 2nd) to bring greater attention to heart disease as a leading cause of death for Americans. Often considered to be a condition for the older generation, heart disease and other associated illnesses are on the rise across all age groups. That is why Heart Month is so important to us all. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about the warning signs and symptoms as well as the things that we can do in our everyday lives to mitigate risk to our hearts. Heart Attack Warning Signs: Some heart attacks are sudden and intense -- the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often the people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening. Chest Discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Other signs may include: • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.  • Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.    • Shortness of Breath. This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. But it can occur before the chest discomfort. Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Stroke Warning Signs: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.    • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. If you or someone you're with has one or more of the warning signs, don't wait. Call 911 – Every second counts! Today victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. But to be effective, these drugs must be given quickly after symptoms first appear. So again, don’t delay – CALL 911! During American Heart Month, the AHA and other organizations reinforce the importance of heart health, the need for more research and efforts to ensure that millions of people live longer and healthier. In most cases, heart disease is preventable when people adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol, treating high blood pressure, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week and getting regular checkups. #hearthealth #heartdisease #heartawareness

Continuing with Heart Health Month, Understanding Cardiovascular Disease is so important, especially in midlife and beyond: Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions that place strain on our arteries, blood vessels, and heart, potentially leading to arterial narrowing or blockages that hinder the heart's efficiency. These conditions include angina, heart attack, vascular dementia, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. They are often associated with atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits called atheromas within the arteries. When a part of the atheroma breaks off, it can form a blood clot. If this clot obstructs a coronary artery, it cuts off blood supply to the heart, resulting in permanent damage—a heart attack. Similarly, if a clot travels and blocks an artery in the brain, it can trigger a stroke. Understanding the Risk Factors: Numerous factors contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, family history, ethnicity, and sex—men are more predisposed than women. Additionally, age plays a significant role, as our risk increases with age. Taking Control of Heart Health: Given the multitude of factors that can affect heart health over time, it's crucial to prioritize its care. As we navigate through menopause, hormonal fluctuations may alter our body's responses, necessitating a reassessment of our lifestyle choices. It's time to reflect on how we're treating our hearts and consider if we're doing our best to protect them. While midlife may present its share of challenges and uncertainties, it's also a time for embracing newfound wisdom and celebrating the journey. Let's approach this phase with a blend of self-awareness, resilience, and a commitment to nurturing our heart health without adding unnecessary stress or overwhelm to our lives. It's about striking a balance between addressing health concerns and savoring the marvels of midlife moments. What does your heart need? Get in touch and let's find out ❤ 🌳 https://linktr.ee/kerslake 💻 www.completefit.co.uk 📧 [email protected] #completefitnessandwellbeing #holisticcorerestore #whatareyourgoals #hearthealth #howcanihelpyou #personaltrainerkent #letstalk #selfcare #movemore #midlifewomen #midlifenourishment #womensupportingwomen #paddockwood #tunbridgewells #tonbridge #preparation #womewhoworkout #mymidlife #managingMYmidlife #moreofthis #lessofthat

Managing A Failing Heart Heart failure can be emotionally and physically challenging. With the right medication and lifestyle, people can have a good quality of life. #heartfailure #heartailments #cityplacesurgery https://zurl.co/n5Gz

Dr. Google, since it is heart health month, with several names, that is on my mind. Perhaps the negatives about it will awaken some to take better self care as well as reach out to their community to learn CPR together, to work on life style improvements, improve health so medications may be reduced, and more. At least 2500 Americans die every day of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These are heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, MI, and others. That is one death every 36 seconds. Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and died of stroke every 3 minutes 35 seconds. CVD costs are projected to increase to $749 billion in 2035. You know, we all help pay for that, financially and emotionally. For all of us, at any age, getting serious about the obesity epidemic, like yesterday, and our immune capability right now, would be an incredibly smart thing to do. Why wait any longer, or weight any longer? What is the relationship between BMI (Body Mass Index) and the incidence of heart failure? Obese people double their risk of heart disease compared with subjects within the appropriate range. There is increased incidence of elevated cholesterol, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure (HTN), diabetes in people with elevated BMI. HTN is three times more common in the obese vs. normal weight person. It is ALL inflammation!!! We have remedies for that as well as ways to avoid it/them. It's not like "well I'll just have my salad tomorrow" Stuff. Here is your homework: Get a copy of A Silent Fire, by Shilpa Ravella, a hiliter and a pen. Read it and hilite it and write in it, and pass it on to someone who needs it also. You can do that in a week, your life is waiting. A funeral home suggests that we "Exercise, Eat Healthy. Live Well. We Can Wait." Hmm. They know we are coming sooner or later, though. Your choice. Shilpa may be a challenge for some to read as there are a few words that may not be familiar. It is not technical or medical jargon. As I have to do frequently, reach for your phone and find the definition for the word. It will be just right, no stress. It's 2 or 3 clicks. So, give me a book report and talk to me... I don't like funerals or memorials...Bruce

Ageing Well... How do you do that? The other day we were at a neighborhood gathering, and I was reminded by my wife that both the hosts are chiropractors who specialize in some very interesting practices for back and neck pain relief. I think she wanted me to know because I've been frequently in and out of pain with my back for the 25+ years we've been together. She also knows that I'm pretty stubborn about getting help for it. The reason I'm stubburn about it is that when I was younger, I spent a lot of money that I didn't have to get help for my back... help that didn't work, which led to me not seeking outside help to help solve pain issues. But as I've gotten older (and hopefully wiser), I've become increasingly more curious to learn and seek guidance when it comes to the mind and body. It's hard to be happy when you are in a lot of pain. Life is just more fun when my body doesn't shock me with frequent debilitating pain. Plus, I love the idea of growing older being healthy enough to do just about whatever I feel like doing. So, as I said, I'm curious about how to do that well. There is so much new science about detecting cancers, dementia, and diseases early enough to minimize or even eliminate them from becoming a problem. I recently read "Outlive" by Peter Attia, which covers all kinds of ways to help us live healthier, longer lives, which I found fascinating. Long-term health is a major reason I get my butt to the gym or on a treadmill. I like looking in shape now, but I'm also thinking a lot about how I can sustain my strength and physicality for decades. I was guilty for many years of not making my health a priority. And I think when we are younger, it's easier to bounce back into shape when we want to. Now, if I take too many days off from exercising, my body begins to hurt a lot more. But even with the stretching and exercising I do, I can get out of bed in the morning with raging neck pain, or, like the past few days, when trying to go for a light jog with the dog, my right hip starts screaming at me. So, I'm becoming increasingly curious about the body, how it works, and ways to make it happier. As the saying goes, "We are nothing without our health," which is a bit of an extreme view but certainly makes the point that prioritizing feeling good is underrated. Good night friends, Back tomorrow, cheers, Mike T.

**Great news** My heart function has significantly improved. This is my personal battle slaying the bioweapon dragon. 💪 The backstory is I went into heart failure, diagnosed with an EF of 15% post c-vid infection. Today my cardio openly sharing information as to why so many stayed silent, because of deregistration threats and we had a very frank exchange on everything from prions to mandates. So I had slacked off in 2023, after getting my EF up and found myself in dire straits, only 3 months ago. So to improve, I became incredibly disciplined with diet, exercise, emotional health, sunshine, grounding, sleep and doing difficult hikes up steep inclines. I am feeling amazing. Back up to 34% from 19% in 3 months, low normal is 50%, normal is 55-65%. Aiming for full recovery in the next 6 months. I guess when you're back is to the wall, you either fight back or die! Cardio at last appointment, didn't think 3 months was long enough to see change. I guess he was surprised and was interested to know about the experts I had interviewed and what I had been doing health wise. Link to YouTube channel of interviews https://lnkd.in/gYXc6Q69 Coincidentally, exactly 7 years to the day, I almost died bleeding out after a miscarriage and went into emergency surgery where I was intubated. Life certainly isn't boring! After several near death experiences, in the last 13 years, I figure I am still meant to be here. 😊 This war is deeply personal. I am literally my own science experiment and I hope it inspires others that there is hope and healing is possible. In the early days, they wanted to test me for amyloidosis but I refused and just threw everything at it, even though I was looking at less than a year to live. Whether it was or wasn't, we will never know but what I do know is that the body is very forgiving, given the right ingredients and time. https://lnkd.in/g3Rcur9X my latest article Disinformation Ecosystem If you want to see my posts, you can click on the 🔔 on my profile, but I am told that this is not guaranteed. You may have to go to my activity and will have more of a chance getting my posts in your newsfeed, if you like, comment or share. 🧡 Below is the direct link to my website with my in-depth articles & email list sign up 👉 https://lnkd.in/gDMu9iEn

The Wake Up call that nearly kills you but ends up saving your life This is a true story A few weeks ago a friend of mine had chest pain and many of the classical symptoms of a heart attack. She drove herself to the hospital [Yes, a bonkers decision!] and almost immediately had a heart attack. Surgery and a stent were needed. And then the blood tests followed. There are usually 3 areas of life where a wakeup call pushes us to make a change and we're forced to examine what's going on in our life that has lead to the financial, health or relationship 'call to action'. Interestingly, we often have a deep knowing that change is needed but we get really good at justifying or inventing a hundred reasons why we can't make the change.  It's like a flash of insight, seeing something out of the corner of your eye that you know is important but when you turn to look at it, it's gone. It's probably denial that prevents us from seeing. We're hard wired to stay safe and it can feel dangerous to look at life and recognise that there are uncomfortable truths we don't want to acknowledge. Whilst a heart attack is obviously life threatening, the blood tests revealed additional problems which she was completely unaware of and which, had they not been found, could have resulted in devastating health consequences, at which point it would have been too late to reverse. One of the things that is generally accepted in the diabetes world is that if you have high levels of HbA1c [glycated haemoglobin] it is irreversible.  It's a marker of the glucose in your blood that has stuck to your red blood cells. Your body has not been able to use the glucose properly and over time, more and more sticks to your red blood cells. Her levels were 120 and they should be 48 [mmol/mol] or below. A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.  Left undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, she might never have found out until it was too late. Stroke, heart attack, kidney damage often leading to dialysis, eye damage which can result in blindness, nerve damage and amputation are some of the consequences of untreated diabetes. Her heart attack saved her life. With a major change of lifestyle, we have worked to significantly reduce her HbA1c level and she is almost 'out of the woods'. Why am I sharing this? Because too often I see Wake Up calls that could probably have been prevented. We're very good at doing the big stuff, like having a holiday in the Caribbean and calling it rest [but we take work with us] or signing up for a charity bike ride which we get fit for [but then revert back to not exercising once it's over] or going on a diet for 3 months and then like all things you 'go on', you come off when it's finished. It's the basics that make all the difference - eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, taking exercise every day, making time to relax and have fun - we ignore them to the detriment of our health. #wakeupcall #healthiswealth #stress #burnout #lifechange

Death means no logic !!!!! On Oct. 29, famous cardiologist Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar passed away at the age of 46. Dr. Devi Shetty gave a clear statement. I liked it a lot - Dr. Devi Shetty writes: “ Lost 8/9 of my dearest acquaintances and some celebrities , forever, in the last few years. They were in their forties and died because of the _extra effort to be 'physically fit'._ Unfortunately - they just looked fit, they had had six packs or something. Puneeth also joined that list. In anything in life, the most important thing is moderation. "Neither the 'zero figure' nor the exaggeration of a hundred is correct. A moderate amount of exercise is needed every day - about 20 minutes. Eat everything, no detoxification, no keto moto diet, eat everything your ancestors ate, all local and seasonal foods available in your town - but in small amounts. No need for exotic kiwi fruit, kale or olive oil. 7 hours of intensive sleep is required, the needs of the body must be met, but it should not be through steroids or performance enhancing drugs. Eat everything you ate growing up, but in small amounts; Do twenty/thirty minutes of light exercise and a little walk regularly and stop taking supplements. Do you understand my message? Nothing, just mediocrity. Add a few moments of silent meditation a day to your routine, this is best done through prayer. One very important thing is to listen, understand and pay attention to body language. You have to understand your body, your responsibility. After 40 some physiological changes start, after 50 more, after 60 the body starts to relax, after 70 it starts to close, after 80 every year is a bonus. So 60 is the new 40 or age is just a number - stop saying that. These are not correct. After 40 or 50, you be grateful if your health is intact, but slow down a bit to keep your heart rate up. Please try to understand - there are logical reasons for timing retirement. Your body and mind can no longer handle the pressure that you once could. You look great on the outside, thanks to your 'genes', but on the inside the organs are decaying. Be happy and beautiful, not outwardly, but inwardly as well. *|| Footnote 1||* In summary there are 6 instructions: ▪️20 minutes of light exercise ▪️Walking regularly ▪️Seven hours of deep sleep ▪️Alone meditation ▪️Eat all foods- in small amounts ▪️Listening to the body and taking action accordingly. *|| Footnote 2 ||* No theory is universal, those who disagree, that's their right - I respect their opinion. 🙏Be happy internally and not externally.!!👏 “

If heart health, not romance, is most important to you, you’re in luck because February is American Heart Month. In our February blog, we discuss the healthy habits for a healthy heart both physical and emotional. Take a read at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gmaHF-eY

Heyy connections!! I'am happy to share my article about CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE #Snsinstuitions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking Congestive heart failure is a long-term condition that happens when your heart can’t pump blood well enough to give your body a normal supply. Blood and fluids collect in your lungs and legs over time. Medications and other treatments help manage symptoms like swelling. Congestive heart failure is life-limiting for many. Congestive heart failure, or heart failure, is a long-term condition in which your heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet your body’s needs. Your heart is still working. But because it can’t handle the amount of blood it should, blood builds up in other parts of your body. Most of the time, it collects in your lungs, legs and feet. Think of it like a shipping department that can’t keep up with getting all the shipments where they need to go. The shipping department is always running behind and things pile up. When things pile up, they cause issues Types of congestive heart failure Types of congestive heart failure include: Left-sided heart failure. Right-sided heart failure. High-output heart failure. This is a rare type of congestive heart failure.. Symptoms and Causes Overview Congestive heart failure causes fluid to build up in your body because your heart isn’t pumping well. Congestive heart failure makes fluid accumulate in your body because your heart can’t pump well. What is congestive heart failure? Congestive heart failure, or heart failure, is a long-term condition in which your heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet your body’s needs. Your heart is still working. But because it can’t handle the amount of blood it should, blood builds up in other parts of your body. Most of the time, it collects in your lungs, legs and feet. Think of it like a shipping department that can’t keep up with getting all the shipments where they need to go. The shipping department is always running behind and things pile up. When things pile up, they cause issues. Types of congestive heart failure Types of congestive heart failure include: Left-sided heart failure. Right-sided heart failure. High-output heart failure. This is a rare type of congestive heart failure Symptoms and Causes What are the congestive heart failure symptoms? Congestive heart failure symptoms include: Shortness of breath. Waking up short of breath at night. Chest pain. Heart palpitations. Fatigue when you’re active. Swelling in your ankles, legs and abdomen. Weight gain. Need to urinate while resting at night. A dry, hacking cough. A full (bloated) or hard stomach. Loss of appetite or upset stomach (nausea