Heart Disease

Heart disease in dogs and cats has some similarities to heart problems in people. However, there are some significant differences. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to sufficiently circulate blood to meet the body's needs. This usually means there is failure of either the heart muscle or a valve inside the heart. The most common cause of heart failure in dogs is mitral valve insufficiency. It is more common in small breeds. Mitral valve disease is estimated to account for up to 80 percent of all dog heart disease cases.

Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, killing approximately half a million American women each year? Information about how deadly heart disease is has been available for a great many years, but the general population has just recently become more aware of the dangers. For most women, it is difficult to imagine that they are anything less than healthy, choosing to take care of others over themselves. This is one of the reasons that the American Heart Association began the campaign called Go Red for Women nearly nine years ago. The statistics do not lie. More women die of heart disease each year than of any kind of cancer.

February is the month devoted to matters of the heart, so it's a great time to consider the health of this vital organ. Heart disease once was mostly associated with men, but today it is the No. 1 killer of women, accounting for half a million deaths a year. Like most illnesses, we never think it's going to happen to us. Imagine my shock when I phoned my sister-in-law to rave about a great pimento cheese she gave out at Christmas when she stopped to say, “You don't know, do you?

William Brooks started life with a heart defect that required two surgeries in his first year. On Sunday, the 6-year-old survivor started off the local fight against the affliction. Brooks led a group of about 300 people who gathered at the George Rogers Clark High School track for the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk - a fundraiser to battle Kentucky's top killer. Organizers were still receiving donations today, but Billy Edwards, chairman of the local Heart Association Board said, the group is close to its $30,000 goal.

What can we do to reduce the risk or heart disease? Coronary heart disease and stroke are the number one and number three killers of Americans. One reason for this is lack of dedication to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Your lifestyle is not only your best defense against heart disease and stroke, it's also your duty. According to the American Heart Association, by following these three simple steps you can reduce all of the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke (www.

Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 376,000 Kentuckians have diabetes. Another 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes increases a person's risk for developing cardiovascular disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, heart disease strikes people with diabetes twice as often as people without diabetes. Also, people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer strokes and then subsequently have reccurrences of a stroke.

Ten years ago, Thelma Richardson was working her shift at Matsushita in Danville when she began experiencing a lot of pain in her neck and back. "The pain started in my neck and throat and then moved down my jawbone and into my ears," said Richardson, who lives in Junction City. "I also had some pain in the middle of my back. " Despite the pain, Richardson finished her shift at the Danville factory and went home and ate a bountiful meal of green beans, corn and tomatoes. Over the course of the next five days, Richardson carried on her normal activities even though she was still experiencing pain between her shoulders.

Breast cancer may be widely feared among American women, but heart disease poses a greater risk of death for them. According to the American Heart Association, one in two women will eventually die of heart disease ? the No. 1 killer of women over the age of 25 ? compared to one in 25 who will eventually die of breast cancer. Ephraim McDowell Health is observing Friday, Feb. 1, as National Wear Red Day, and encourages all individuals in the community to wear red on that day. "The purpose of National Wear Red Day is to increase the public's awareness of heart disease and the fact that individuals can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risks for this killer disease," said Harry Nickens, spokesperson for Ephraim McDowell Health.

Ephraim McDowell Health is observing Friday as National Wear Red Day and encouraging individuals to wear red on that day. "The purpose of National Wear Red Day is to increase the public's awareness of heart disease and the fact that individuals can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risks for this killer disease," said Harry Nickens, McDowell spokesman. The U.S. Public Health Service on Women's Health said heart disease tends to develop in women 10 to 15 years later than it does in men. Nearly half of women who have a heart attack die within one year after their heart attack while only a third of men do. Generally, heart disease is not prevalent in women until after menopause because estrogen that is produced naturally in pre-menopausal women provides protection against heart disease.

Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation recently held its annual Happy Heart Luncheon, which raises awareness of women's heart disease. The luncheon raised nearly $10,000 and all funds raised from the event will go to support cardiac projects at Ephraim McDowell Health. It was held at Brady Hall on the Kentucky School for the Deaf campus and was a sell-out, with 175 attendees. “We are thrilled this event has been embraced by the community,” said Keith Bridges, executive director of Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation.

February is the month devoted to matters of the heart, so it's a great time to consider the health of this vital organ. Heart disease once was mostly associated with men, but today it is the No. 1 killer of women, accounting for half a million deaths a year. Like most illnesses, we never think it's going to happen to us. Imagine my shock when I phoned my sister-in-law to rave about a great pimento cheese she gave out at Christmas when she stopped to say, “You don't know, do you?

Every year, nearly one million individuals in the United States suffer a heart attack. That number can be reduced if individuals recognize the symptoms and take steps to lower their risk factors for a heart attack. Following are some of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease: n Increasing age. Nearly four out of five people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 years of age or older. n Gender. Men have a greater risk of heart attack and have attacks earlier in life.

Last week we started our campaign for heart health and encouraged everyone to wear red on Friday. This week we want to continue the focus on the heart and how we can eat for overall good health. Most of us eat at least three times a day. We eat because food tastes good and because certain foods are good for us. We also need to eat so that our body is provided with the energy it needs so we can breathe and function. Choosing nutritious foods helps us to maintain an overall healthy body and protects us against various illnesses, disorders and chronic diseases such as heart disease.

Some time ago I wrote an article on surviving a heart attack. While I should perhaps move on to another topic, I feel compelled to sound the alarm again about this deadly killer.  Throughout Kentucky, as well as the rest of the country, heart attacks, or myocardial  infarctions, are claiming the lives of far too many people who could and should have  survived. While public service announcements, medical providers and even many employers warn us about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, it may not be enough.  Statistics show that a significant number of people who die after suffering a heart attack had one or more of the typical symptoms, as well as ample time to seek appropriate  medical attention, which most likely would have saved their lives.

Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, killing approximately half a million American women each year? Information about how deadly heart disease is has been available for a great many years, but the general population has just recently become more aware of the dangers. For most women, it is difficult to imagine that they are anything less than healthy, choosing to take care of others over themselves. This is one of the reasons that the American Heart Association began the campaign called Go Red for Women nearly nine years ago. The statistics do not lie. More women die of heart disease each year than of any kind of cancer.

Volunteer training set at CAC “Wild West” volunteer training will be 10:30 a.m.-noon Friday at the Community Arts Center. The CAC needs help in a variety of capacities prepping for its blockbuster exhibit, “Wild West. For more information, call (859) 236-4054.   4-H talk meet set for Monday The annual Lincoln County 4-H Talk Meet will be held 6 p.m. Monday at the Lincoln County Extension Service. Youth ages 9-18 are encouraged to participate. Youth between the ages of 9-13 will be in the junior division and are to prepare a speech between three and five minutes in length and may use notecards (but no visual aids, such as posters)

The month of February is American Heart Month and Friday is National Wear Red Day. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. It kills one of every three American women. If you can't wear red on Friday, everyone is encouraged to wear red on Sunday, Feb. 3, to encourage women to take care of their heart. Cardiovascular disease is mostly preventable, so understanding these serious health threats can make a lifesaving difference. Much research needs to be done on heart disease in women.

Heart disease in dogs and cats has some similarities to heart problems in people. However, there are some significant differences. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to sufficiently circulate blood to meet the body's needs. This usually means there is failure of either the heart muscle or a valve inside the heart. The most common cause of heart failure in dogs is mitral valve insufficiency. It is more common in small breeds. Mitral valve disease is estimated to account for up to 80 percent of all dog heart disease cases.

This week will be celebrated across the nation as Men's Health Week. The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with hundreds of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe.