Conquering Atrial Fibrillation

Page: 1 2 3 4 (of 4)	Previous

symptoms

When cruising down the information highway, it’s hard to hear your own heart—especially when you have a phone in one hand, a BlackBerry in another, a laptop slung over your shoulder, and a plane to catch. Mellanie True Hills lived that heart-silent life as an always-on-the-go computer executive. Some heart scares caused her to exit the fast lane. She has switched to a slower gear but maintains her intensity to motivate women to connect with their hearts.

“Women typically don’t have the same symptoms as men,” says Mellanie, author of A Woman’s Guide to Saving Her Own Life (Healthy Ideas Press, 2005). “To help women remember what symptoms to look for, I ask them to remember the L.I.F.E. acronym.”

L—Left. Pains that are located more on the left side may indicate potential heart problems, including pains in the back and jaw in addition to traditional arm or shoulder discomfort.
           
I–Indigestion. The kind of indigestion or nausea associated with potential heart problems tends to be more severe than what you’d feel after a spicy meal.

F—Fatigue. In addition to feeling tired, Mellanie also says to look for sleeplessness, which may signal heart distress.

E—Exertion. Shortness of breath that is more severe than normal and that happens under conditions when you normally wouldn't be out of breath may indicate heart trouble.