American Heart Assn. Raffle

Wouldn't you love to start off 2011 with a new Mercedes while helping out the American Heart Association?
The Mercedes-Benz Dealership of Columbus, GA is holding a raffle to win a free 2011 C 300 or 2011 GLK 350. All proceeds will benefit the Greater Columbus AHA. Each ticket is just $100.00 (fully deductible) and no more than 750 tickets will be sold!

It doesn't matter where you live, to purchase a ticket, just give my friend Nadie Martin a call at 1-866-626-9336.

I buy tickets every year to help support the Heart Assn. Last year I even flew to Columbus and while I didn't win, it was still a fun-filled event and so exciting when they called the winner. She couldn't believe she actually won as she had just purchased 1 ticket.

For additional info: http://www.mercedesbenzofcolumbus.com/specials/news_events/mercedes_-_benz_of_columbus_raffle_/

Heart Attack??

Have you ever thought you were having a heart attack, but then felt like it probably was nothing more than indigestion?

What most people don't realize is that actually having a heart attack often feels very different that what's depicted in the movies and on TV. It's not always that feeling like there's a ton of bricks sitting on your chest.

As per the American Heart Association, some of the warning signs can be as simple as:

• Chest discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back.


• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.


• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Last week my brother Joe had a heart attack. Like most men, he thought "Oh, it's nothing more than indigestion". Luckily, his wife pushed him to go to the hospital. Even there he told the Doctors "Give me some Tums; I've just got an upset stomach."

Little did he know that he was having a full-blown heart attack and that his right carotid artery was 90% blocked. It was a very frightening situation; he flat-lined, had CPR, and had to be air-evacuated to a larger hospital for immediately surgery. Thank God he survived!

So please check out the info at the website below and never hesitate to call 911. Get to the hospital immediately if there's any chance that you're having a heart attack! There's no shame in being wrong -- in fact, you might just live to tell someone about your ambulance ride!!

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

Healthy Hearts

Ladies - please pay attention to your heart!

I was 44 when I had a heart attack and it was the ton of bricks and elephant sitting on my chest type of feeling. (Symptoms more common to a man having a heart attack.) I was immediately rushed to the hospital and thank God, I made it. I'm bringing it to your attention because the Holiday Season is a very stressful time of the year for Superwomen who are trying to play so many roles - mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend, cookie-maker.

But more importantly, because a good friend of mine recently had a heart attack. We had been playing telephone tag and when I finally reached Mary, I couldn't believe that just 4 weeks after retiring and 2 weeks after running a half-marathon, she had a heart attack. What is most frightening is that because she had symptoms she described as more flu-like , she put off going to the hospital for several days. By the time she went to the emergency room, the doctors found that she had 4 blocked arteries.

Don't delay--call 911 immediately--if you experience any of the following symptoms :

Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.

Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Other symptoms, such as a shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

.......and during this Holiday Season -- don't stress yourself out -- if the planning, shopping and cooking gets to be too much -- either do less or ask for help!

For additional info on Women and Heart Attacks, go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/haws/women.htm

Save a Heart - YOURS!

Like most people, I tend to gain weight during the holiday season and with it right around the corner, I'm trying to get a head start on exercising.......and there's nothing better than walking. It's a gorgeous, brisk Fall day here in Colorado, perfect for walking, and I just finished 3 miles.

No matter what size or shape your currently in, everyone can get out and take a walk. It's especially good for us retirees because it not only increases your physical activity and improves your health, but gets you out of the house. A brisk walk increases your heart rate, strengthens your heart and increases blood circulation through your body and reduces body fat. Remember to consult your doctor and have a checkup before beginning any type of exercise program especially if you've been inactive for awhile. If you've been lax in exercising, then be sure to start out slowly, perhaps walking just a mile to start, gradually increase your pace, and always cool down at the end. It helps to have an exercise buddy because then you're committed to doing it and more fun to have someone with you along the trail, so invite a friend or neighbor to join you.

It pays to have the best equipment -- so invest in good walking shoes and buy a pedometer to keep track of your steps. Try to walk at least 10,000 total steps a day (about 5 miles). Wear the pedometer all day and set realistic goals for yourself --- like taking 1,000 more steps a day until you gradually increase to walking at least 10,000 steps daily on a routine basis. It's your heart - so protect it with a daily exercise program.....and walking is the best way to start. For additional info on heart health from the American Heart Association, visit their website --
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3040237
(NOTE: The above is meant to motivate you, not meant to be medical advice.)