Disclosure: As a 2017 Bayer brand ambassador I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
February is Heart Month. It’s Time to Recognize That Real, Hard Working Organ!
It’s hard not to have hearts on your mind in February. Every store is full of them. Chocolate hearts, heart shaped cakes, as well as heart-shaped frames. This annual celebration of romantic love isn’t the only reason to give that blood pumping organ in your chest a second thought this month. February is also Heart Month in Canada. You’ll take time this month to appreciate your loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Why not also take time to appreciate and better understand your most hard-working organ?
The human heart is way more amazing than any representations we will see in stores this month. Approximately the size of your two hands clasped together, your heart is relatively small but mighty. During an average lifetime it pumps around 1 million barrels of blood (enough to fill more than 3 super tankers). It beats about 100,000 times a day. Meaning in the average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.
After being reunited with his mother after 58 years apart, my dad passed away in his sleep after suffering a massive heart attack, just less than two years into his retirement.
You may not like to think about it, but it’s also important to be able to recognize a heart attack, which is what happens when a part of the heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood flow. Symptoms vary by individual; common ones include:
- Chest discomfort
- Upper body discomfort (including discomfort in the arms, jaw, neck and back)
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating and nausea
- Light-headedness
“To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label”
In the case of a heart attack, make sure you seek immediate treatment. The longer you wait, the more damage to the heart muscle can occur. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 then crush or chew two ASPIRIN®81 mg tablets, it could save your life. ASPIRIN 81mg is approved in Canada for emergency use during a heart attack. If you have questions about your heart, talk to a doctor or trusted health care professional.
Disclosure: As a 2017 Bayer brand ambassador I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
Megan Willis says
Learnt lots of facts that I didn’t know! Thank you for this post!
jan says
we just recently had a heart scare with our elderly mom and aspirin was a contributor to swift recovery.
kathy downey says
Thanks for sharing this post,lots of information,we have to protect ourselves anyway we can !
Janet M says
Thanks you for the info. We need constant reminders about our health.
Denise M says
Thanks for the post. Great information!
Sarah Jackson says
Its good to have these little reminders once in a while to help us remember ! thank you for the info
Kristin C says
Thank you for sharing all this information!
Danielle Jones says
I think it is also important for women to be informed that heart attack symptoms can be different for them than the typical list of symptoms.
Wanda Tracey says
Thanks so much for the valuable information and reminder to take care of our health. 🙂
Anne says
Such a good reminder at any time of the year! I’m glad there’s so much more these days in the way of heart health information and treatment.
Lana simanovicki says
I have a bad heart these are great tips
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
The heart is an amazing organ and works tremendously to keep us alive. I was recently told that I’d had a heart attack – I never knew and it’s impossible to say when it occurred. The only thing I could think of was that I’d had bad indigestion one evening – before I’d had anything to eat – and sure enough in women this can be one of the signs for a heart attack.
Rosanne Robinson says
Very sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing from a heart attack, my Dad passed from congestive heart failure. Thanks very much for the reminder on the heart attack symptoms.
Treen Goodwin says
My Step dad had a heart scare and we have all learnt lots about heart attacks and so forth , thanks for sharing this !
Elaine Buonsante says
Glad to review the signs and symptoms of heart attacks with you.
Theresa C. says
Thanks for the info – my husband and I have both had heart issues, and any education is helpful.
Lesley F says
Great info. Will pass it along
Shane A says
These are some great lifesaving tips. Thank you so much for sharing.
Jennifer P. says
When I was in university, my Grandma had a minor heart attack while I was shopping with her. Not long before, I had read an article similar to this one that mentioned heart attack symptoms. She said she “wasn’t feeling well” and I followed her to the bathroom and I noticed that many of her symptoms were from the list. It all happened very quickly and then she said she was fine. And my mom brushed it off as nothing, because the symptoms were not very severe, and short-lived, but when my Grandma mentioned her jaw was sore, which was a symptom my mom could not explain otherwise, she finally agreed to take her to the hospital where they confirmed she did have a heart attack. Turned out she had a blockage that needed fixing, and had she not gone in she may have suffered a bigger heart attack the next time. Articles like this only take a minute or so to read, but can be so helpful in saving lives!
Hesper Fry says
Thank you for sharing the symptoms of a heart attack. It runs in my family so it is good to know!
Wanda B says
Some great advice! I’ve known most of this before but it was good to be reminded.
Ashley G says
Thanks for the info, and I am sorry for your loss.