February is healthy heart month

The lights on the Mid-Hudson Bridge will be glowing red each night in February to remind both men and women to take better care of the most important muscle in their bodies ”“ the heart.

The American Heart Association”™s “Go Red for Women” outreach program has been an eye-opener for those who think of a heart attack as a “man”™s disease.” The warning signs can be subtle: back pain or throbbing in one or both arms, dizziness, unusual anxiety, clammy sweating (that may be mistaken for hot flashes), heart palpitations and edema (swelling in the lower legs or ankles),  and feelings of nausea, symptoms easily attributable to a lack of sleep or stress.

In today”™s 24/7 work world, many women have a tendency to put off until tomorrow what can be done today. “Don”™t do it!” warns Kim Miller, owner of Surviving Sisters Boutique in Hyde Park and a heart attack survivor.

Miller had several unusual symptoms for three months before she was struck down ”“ and almost out. “I had a headache for 17 days ”“ I attributed it to the stress of losing my grandmother and starting a new job. I was getting sweaty ”“ my primary care physician attributed that to perimenopause. I started having problems seeing long distance ”“ the optometrist attributed it to my age ”“ but that, too, was actually a red flag.

“There were other strange things going on with me, but not all at the same time ”¦ I kept attributing them to one thing or another, never thinking there was anything wrong with my heart.”
It wasn”™t until all of Miller”™s symptoms manifested at the same time that she truly became fearful. “But rather than dialing 911, I literally dragged myself down the stairs to the phone at 1 a.m. and asked my neighbor to drive me to the hospital.”

Vassar Brothers”™ emergency room nurses gave Miller an EKG and then she was rushed to surgery, where an emergency angioplasty was performed. “They saved my life ”“ not once, but twice, since I was back two weeks later,” said Miller.

Miller says women need to be proactive about their health and hopes they won”™t wait, like she did, before seeking intervention. “And if you are not satisfied with your primary care physician”™s diagnosis, get a second opinion. Don”™t be afraid to insult your doctor ”¦ it”™s your life.”

Events are scheduled around the Hudson Valley to educate women on how to keep their hearts healthier:

Feb. 16: Professional Women of Putnam will hold “Celebrate Your Heart,” 6 to 9 p.m., at the Putnam National Golf Course in Mahopac. Rosemary Hyland of Mahopac National Bank will be the evening”™s “Passion” speaker; blood pressure screenings by Putnam Hospital Center will be available, along with other demonstrations and exhibits. The cost is $35 a person and includes dinner and dessert. Cash bar. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Heart Association along with 100 percent of raffle sales. Register online @ professionalwomenofputnam.com

Feb. 16: Cathy Regan, registered nurse and nurse manager for St. Francis Home Care Services Inc., will give a presentation on healthy eating and living, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Wingate at Dutchess in Fishkill. The event is free. To register, call 483-5560.

Feb. 25: The American Heart Association will host “Go Red for Women,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. Keynote speaker Dr. Pamela Peeke is a nationally acclaimed expert in women”™s health, fitness and nutrition. Tickets are $85, which includes lunch and workshops. Call Carol Roberts at Dutchess-Ulster Chapter of the American Heart and Stroke Association, 905-2132.