Avoiding Heart Attack/Stroke

Tips from Angela Foley of Refinery Fitness in Champaign: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack and Stroke While Working Out Warning Signs of a Heart Attack While Exercising: Pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm, jaw or shoulder. Dizziness, light-headedness or nausea. More short of breath than usual. More tired than usual. Heartbeat that is too fast or too slow or is skipping a beat. Any other symptoms that worry you. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack: Chest Discomfort; the discomfort last more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back; it can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body; symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, the neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath. Other signs: breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Warning Signs of a Stroke While Exercising: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body). Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Warning Signs of a Stroke: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body). Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. There isnt much difference with the warning signs of a heart attack while exercising versus not exercising, but there are a couple slight differences to look for. The warning signs of a stroke are the same whether exercising or not. Second Segment: Cardiovascular Training Reducing Your Risk of a Heart Attack or Stroke: Healthy, well-balanced nutrition. Moderate exercise 5-7 days per week for 30 minutes. Limit alcohol intake. Stop smoking. Cut back on sodium. Practice stress management. Lose extra pounds. Cardiovascular Training: Exercise 5-7 days per week - 30 minutes of moderate exercise. Raise your heart rate, but be sure to keep it in your zone. Do something you ENJOY so you are able to stick with it. If more traditional cardiovascular exercises (such as the treadmill, elliptical, bike or group exercise classes) bore you, then do a different activity such as jump rope, circuit strength training, agility ladder, light plyometrics, BOSU training, etc. (ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AND YOU KEEP YOUR HEART RATE IN AN APPROPRIATE ZONE).