Tuesday
Feb082011
Listen To Your Heart
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 12:43AM
I'd like to say my heart skips a beat because of all the excitement in my life. But in fact, I think I have a case of forty-something-hormony-stressy-possibly genetically induced heart palpitations.
Why do you have to know this? Because it's American Heart Month, or so says the American Heart Association, and I am eternally shocked out of my seat every time I hear that heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country.
The American Heart Association has made good use of this month of love and flowers to remind us that we need to keep our hearts on our minds. Part of the reason is that if it's not palpitating or acting erratically (as mine has been doing lately), we don't think about that muscle much. It's just there, pumping away at delivering blood to all of our important body parts.
In my case, I started having these thumpings more frequently after my 40th birthday. And since it's American Heart Month, I thought I'd do my heart a service and have it checked out.
I'm still waiting on the final results from my doctor, so I've already worked myself through every outcome, from merely just needing to up my water intake to going in for a complete heart transplant. But having this weird reminder that my heart is working hard for me has prompted some important lifestyle changes. More often than not, I request my chicken grilled rather than fried and have been skipping dessert when my will is strong. I try not to sweat the small stuff. I've been running around a bit more with the kids, tossing the football and getting on bikes. I even dialed down to decaf tea in the afternoon.
Use this Hallmark-happy month as an excuse to focus on your own heart – and all that it does for you. And more importantly, take a minute to listen to your heart. Then take the stairs and do other stuff that makes your heart happy. Sing a lullaby to your kids (unless they're 14 and might throw you out of their room). Read a poem (the internet can help you with this). Play with a puppy. Stare at the moon.
As my husband told me the other day, "I like that heart. Take care of it." It wasn't quite Valentine's Day yet, but that sure made my heart skip a beat.
Why do you have to know this? Because it's American Heart Month, or so says the American Heart Association, and I am eternally shocked out of my seat every time I hear that heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country.
The American Heart Association has made good use of this month of love and flowers to remind us that we need to keep our hearts on our minds. Part of the reason is that if it's not palpitating or acting erratically (as mine has been doing lately), we don't think about that muscle much. It's just there, pumping away at delivering blood to all of our important body parts.In my case, I started having these thumpings more frequently after my 40th birthday. And since it's American Heart Month, I thought I'd do my heart a service and have it checked out.
I'm still waiting on the final results from my doctor, so I've already worked myself through every outcome, from merely just needing to up my water intake to going in for a complete heart transplant. But having this weird reminder that my heart is working hard for me has prompted some important lifestyle changes. More often than not, I request my chicken grilled rather than fried and have been skipping dessert when my will is strong. I try not to sweat the small stuff. I've been running around a bit more with the kids, tossing the football and getting on bikes. I even dialed down to decaf tea in the afternoon.
Use this Hallmark-happy month as an excuse to focus on your own heart – and all that it does for you. And more importantly, take a minute to listen to your heart. Then take the stairs and do other stuff that makes your heart happy. Sing a lullaby to your kids (unless they're 14 and might throw you out of their room). Read a poem (the internet can help you with this). Play with a puppy. Stare at the moon.
As my husband told me the other day, "I like that heart. Take care of it." It wasn't quite Valentine's Day yet, but that sure made my heart skip a beat.
Reader Comments (4)
I wish you the best on the results, but I agree, we should all give our hearts some attention. I was also reminded of a Valentines deal that might interest you and the readers. It comes from The Good Cookies in L.A., they use only gluten-free ingredients, can be delivered, and use recyclable packaging! And I got a coupon from https://winwinliving.com/ so they were just $5. One way to keep Valentines day sweet without having to worry about the ticker!
Nice husband, and good article.
Thanks for sharing, Carolyn. A good reminder for all of us.
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