7 Surprising Signs of an Unhealthy Heart

February is Heart Health Awareness Month!  Here's a great article by Melanie Haiken, Senior Editor at Caring.com on how to Get Heart Smart and Stay Heart Healthy!

7 Surprising Signs of an Unhealthy Heart
By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

We've all read the signs of a heart attack listed on posters in the hospital waiting room. But what if there were other, earlier signs that could alert you ahead of time that your heart was in trouble?

It turns out there are. Researchers have done a lot of work in recent years looking at the signs and symptoms patients experienced in the months or even years leading up to a heart attack. "The heart, together with the arteries that feed it, is one big muscle, and when it starts to fail the symptoms can show up in many parts of the body," says cardiologist Jonathan Goldstein of Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Here are seven surprising clues that your heart needs a check. Any of these signs -- and particularly two or more together -- should send you to the doctor for tests.

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Here's to YOUR Healthy Heart!!!

Valentine's Day Reality Check!

Around this time of year most people here in the United States,  and other places in the world as well, turn their attention towards love.   February being the month for St. Valentine's Day and all...it is to be expected

Sadly, as the masses set out to impress a love interest with an assortment of cards, gifts, dinners, cruises and all that there,  I guarantee that the majority of people will overlook--okay scratch that--they'll out right IGNORE one person in particular.  Their own Self.   

Not surprising really.  You see (as I'm pretty sure you already are aware) Human Experiencers develop the habit of overlooking his or her self early in their earthly life.  We Human Experiencers are told it is selfish to think of one's self!  To do for one's Self!    Then we are scolded to take better care of ourselves whenever we get sick.  Talk about your mixed messages.  Oy Vey!  No wonder the masses are dazed and confused!

But the all burning question is this.  Is it being selfish to love one's Self?   There is nothing conceited or narcissistic about loving one's self.  In fact, those who truly love and respect their own self are proven assets to be around.  The confidence that comes from genuine love of one's self shows in the way a person carries his/her physical body.  The way they speak and talk to others.  It's all there.  And it's very non-intrusive and quite wonderful.  

The more you love your Self, the more aware you become of other's feelings and intentions.  It's your very own psychic radar!  And this psychic radar gives you a heads up and  allows you to avoid those who try to put on airs and/or those with a hidden agenda.   

*~*~*~*

Over the years I have had to cut loose  people based on how much time and energy they exert in trying to prove themselves to me or one up me on everything;  or my favorite...spending their time, their energies and their resources on freeze dried bullshit that they have no intention in actually working through.  Or all of the above.   

Cutting these people loose didn't come easy.  Wish I could tell you it did.  But ... I can't!  But cutting them off has brought me a deeper peace and feeling of contentment, along with an expanded knowing that one day in the not too distant future...they too will come to discover genuine Self Love. 

Until that day arrives...I'm keeping a good healthy distance.  My gift to me for Valentine's!   

So is it selfishness to love yourself FIRST?  Well if you ever flown on a commercial air line you already know the emergency drill.  Put YOUR oxygen mask  on FIRST!   Then assist others in need!  Take a moment and think WHY.   And then go and contemplate the importance of loving your Own Self first.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Many, many, many years ago I was given a little self love exercise.  Each day I would stand in front of the mirror and state five (5) things I LOVE about My Self.   Now here's the catch.  The five things have to be about YOU and YOU ALONE!  

This is not about your kids, your pets, your spouse, your parents, siblings, etc., etc.  Just YOU!

Example:  I Love the way my eyes sparkle whenever I smile.   I love my sense of humor.  I love the color of my hair. I love  the shape of my nose.   I love how I can always find the good in any given situation. 

FYI:  These are actually things I love about me.  

Now there is another catch to this particular exercise.  *BIG Smile*  You have to look yourself in the eyes when saying what you love about your Self!    

In the beginning, try this exercise once a week and work your way up to doing it every day.  What do you have to lose?  Besides all those hang ups?  

*~*~*~*~*~*

To Love One's Self is a gift that keeps on giving.  It is a gift that inspires, motivates and lifts your Self and others higher.  Can't ask for a better Valentine's Day gift than that! 

About Julia K. Cole

What can you expect from someone who considers Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality a personal calling? Straight forward answers that lead to life-changing experiences on a soul level!

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

As a writer, Julia is a virtual powerhouse of creativity.  Among Julia's literary accomplishments is  the  Children of the Luminaries  trilogy;  Book One: The Coming Storm can be purchased by clicking Here.   

Book Two  of the trilogy is due out in the Fall of 2015 and Book Three will be available in 2016.  The long anticipated ZEN of Duct Tape:  An Empress Is Born will be out in 2016.  As well as the Teddy Mitchell Chronicles.

Julia has also contributed to several other publications including Brad Steiger's  Real Zombies, The Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse  Click HERE for the review; and Marie D. Jones' Destiny vs. Choice  Click HERE    

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited


Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

National Wear Red Day – February 6, 2015

1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke each year. Celebrate National Wear Red Day with Go Red For Women on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 to help save women’s lives. 

CLICK HERE  to Learn how you can join the movement nationwide and how you can honor women like yourself on this important day!

Why is the red dress the symbol of women and heart disease?

In 2003, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the AHA and other organizations committed to women’s health joined together to raise awareness of women and heart disease. The NHLBI introduced the red dress as a national symbol for women and heart disease awareness and the AHA adopted this symbol to create synergy among all organizations committed to fighting this cause.

By working together to advance this important cause, the AHA, NHLBI and other women’s health groups will have a greater impact than any one group could have alone.

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