Ever since I discovered I had heart disease, I treat myself to a monthly massage to keep my stress in check and to relieve muscle tension in my neck and shoulders.  While at first I thought it was a luxury, I came to realize that taking care of my body was one of the most important things I could do for my overall health.  If you’ve never had a massage or you are constantly under stress in your life, I suggest you put some money aside into a “Be Good To Your Body Fund,” and try it.  You won’t regret it.

Here’s an article by Kelly Kilpatrick on how massage can be beneficial to relieve stress and management pain.

5 Benefits of Using Massage for Stress and Pain Management

Stress and anxiety can create tension in our bodies that can ultimately lead to debilitating pain.  Therapeutic massage is one method of managing stress and pain that many people have begun to turn to.  There are many benefits of using therapeutic massage for stress and pain management, five of which will be explored in further detail in this article.

Target Areas of High Tension

Most people carry their stress in certain parts of there bodies, like their shoulders, neck, or legs.  Over time, this can create painful knots in the muscles, resulting in limited range of motion for the person suffering from this stress-related condition.  A licensed massage therapist can help target these tense and knotted areas, ultimately helping people to feel better and learn how they are creating these knots in the first place.

Releases Endorphins

As you undergo a therapeutic massage, painful knots in muscles will be targeted, triggering the release of endorphins into your bloodstream.  Endorphins are the human body’s natural painkillers and help fight pain while simultaneously helping the patient feel a sense of euphoria and release as a result. 

Eliminates Harmful Toxins 

As muscles knot and twist from stressful conditions and situations, they store harmful toxins in the fibers of the muscles.  Receiving a massage from a licensed massage therapist can help release these stored toxins as the knots in the muscles are manipulated.  Once the knot is worked out, the body works to eliminate these toxins rapidly.  It is important to drink plenty of water after your massage to help expedite this process.

Reduces Overall Stress and Anxiety

When giving a therapeutic massage, many licensed massage therapists will use a variety of techniques to help you to relax.  There are several methods that will help achieve this end, including calming music, aromatherapy, and even scented oils that trigger relaxation centers in the brain.  Allow the therapist to take care of you while communicating with them throughout the massage itself.  Massage ultimately helps reduce stress and anxiety levels, bringing about good feelings and a peace of mind like no other.

Improves Circulation

Another result of receiving a therapeutic massage is that your circulation will improve significantly, especially to those areas that had previously been knotted up and storing toxins.  Good circulation in your body will help deliver oxygen-rich blood to areas that have been suffering for some time and carries many other health benefits as well.

 This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of massage. If you are interested in receiving a certification in massage therapy, her website is National Massage Certification. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24@gmail.com

Posted: December 21st, 2008 under heart disease.
Comments: 2

While there are hundreds of resources on the Internet about heart health, I wanted to say a few words about an organization that I am affiliated with, WomenHeart. 

WomenHeart is the only national organization dedicated to promoting women’s heart health through advocacy, community education and patient support.

I first learned about WomenHeart after my heart attack in 2006 when I was into my twelve week rehab program.  While the description above was taken from the WomenHeart website, I wanted to give you a little closer look at the organization from the eyes of a woman with heart disease.

WomenHeart is women just like me who have had a heart attack, women who have congenital heart problems, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis,  stents, or have undergone bypass surgery and heart transplants.  Name any problem related to the heart, and you will find a woman in the organization who shares your concerns.  WomenHeart supports women in their quest for doctors who understand that women’s symptoms of heart disease are different than men’s.  They support women by listening to their stories.

There is a very active online support system.   You’ll find women from all walks of life, all across the country, sharing their stories and asking for advise.  In addition to the online support system, WomenHeart has a network of trained women leading one-on-one support groups in hundreds of cities.  You are not alone in your struggle.

WomenHeart is at the forefront of advocating for legislation that will lead toward better heart health for all women.  Legislation like the Heart For Women Act,  and Wise Women Legislation 

WomenHeart is also an education website, focusing on women and heart disease.  Are you looking for statistics, diagnostic tests, questions to ask your doctor, symptom’s of a heart attack, the latest research, or a heart clinic in your area?  WomenHeart has it all.

Posted: September 8th, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease.
Comments: 1

You’ve heard me talk about tea bag wisdom in the past, but this time I’m taking the wisdom a step further.  Not only are those little sayings on my tea bags good for the soul, now here’s an article that talks about how good green tea is for the heart

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080705/hl_time/doesgreenteahelptheheart

But not to feel like you are short-changed, here are a few words of wisdom to think about when drinking your next cup of green tea.

“All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire.”  Aristotle

So what do your actions say about you?  Do you take chances or focus on a goal and work toward it?  Do you surround yourself in nature or get caught up with everyday stresses?  Are you compulsive or do you honor your body and work diligently to accomplish your goals?  Are your habits good or bad for you? Do you listen to others before reacting?  Where is your passion?  What do you desire?  Hmm.  That’s a lot to think about.

Let me make this short and end with a Chinese Proverb: “When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy.” 

Drink up everyone.  Here’s to your health.

Posted: July 8th, 2008 under healthy eating, heart disease, mindfulness, present moment.
Comments: 1

 by Kimberly Van Brunt Women are twice as likely to have clinical depression when compared to men. By itself, depression can be a serious and chronic condition that requires medical treatment. But if you’re a woman with heart disease, depression can severely hinder your road to recovery.It’s estimated that 20 to 25 percent of all patients in a cardiac care unit are depressed at any given time - and if you include those with symptoms of mild depression, that number goes up to around 50 percent. “Clinical depression doubles the risk of having heart disease, and it also doubles your risk of having a negative health outcome,” says Kathy Kastan, L.C.S.W., M.A.Ed., author of From the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease.Researchers don’t know exactly how the two are connected, however, the increased cardiac risk may stem from personality traits, like chronic anger or chronic anxiety, which can lead to clinical depression. For heart patients, an initial period of sadness or depression can be a natural response to illness, a side effect of medications or lack of social support.It may be more difficult to diagnose clinical depression immediately after a cardiac event like a heart attack - but it’s the lasting symptoms that should signal a red flag to both patients and health care providers.A total of five symptoms have to be present for two weeks to make a diagnosis of clinical depression. These symptoms include:

• Depressed mood during most of the day
• Inability to enjoy usual activities
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Appetite changes - eating too little or too much, including changes in weight
• Physical slowing, sluggishness or agitation
• Decreased energy (fatigue)
• Sense of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
• Difficulty with concentration, memory or indecisiveness
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

It’s important for women with heart disease to take symptoms of clinical depression to heart. If you think you are suffering from depression, speak with your healthcare provider about treatment options. Treatment for depression may include stress management techniques, psychotherapy and anti-depressant medications.“Most of us want a quick fix,” says Kastan. “We don’t want to take the time to deal with our clinical depression - but many times, we need that extra set of ears to listen, and that extra set of hands to guide us where we need to go.”References: WomenHeart 2007 Science and Leadership Symposium 

Posted: June 24th, 2008 under heart disease.
Comments: 2

A mantram is a word or phrase with spiritual meaning.  I learned mantram in my yoga class.  I repeat Om mam everyday. These are Sanskrit words that translate to God heart. I began sayingthis mantram after my heart attack in 2006.  I say these two words 1,080 times in the morning.  I use mala beads (108 beads strungtogether in a necklace) to keep track of the count.  It starts my day in a quiet reflective mood that keeps mecalm the rest of the day. 

I just came across a item in a local health newsletter.  Researchers confirmed what I alreadyknew.  Mantram repetition is helpful for managing stress, emotions other than stress, insomnia and unwantedthoughts.  The article by JillBormann can be accessed online from the Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Posted: May 3rd, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease, meditation, yoga.
Comments: 5

There is a good article about how lowering your stress and anxiety can lower your risk of heart disease.  Check it out. Lower Your Stress, Spare Your Heart 

Posted: April 24th, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease.
Comments: 3

We’ve heard a lot about heart disease.  But do you know all the warning signs of a heart attack?  Do you know how many times your heart beats every single day?  Do you know how to stay heart healthy? CNN has a nice article in their health section with a Heart Smart Quiz.  Check it out. 

Posted: April 9th, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease.
Comments: 4

Are you having a stressful day?  A stressful week?  Is your entire life filled with one stressful situation on top of another?  Are you a jellyfish, so relaxed that you don’t have a care in the world?  Or are you on an even keel and able to manage your stress?  Are you a borderline stressaholic? Or a candidate for heart disease?

If you don’t know how stress is affecting your life,  you may want to find out, because stress can be life threatening. 

I found this website that asks twenty questions to help you identify your stressors.  It’s fun.  Give it a try.

Stress Quiz

There are a lot of stress management techniques you can do to combat stress like deep breathing, exercise, and yoga.

Here are a couple of websites I’ve found that give some good suggestions.

Stress Management from Mind Tools  

Article on Stress Management for Patients & Physicians 

My biggest stressor is Wanting to do as much as possible in the least amount of time.” 

What’s your biggest stressor? 

Posted: March 19th, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease, meditation, mindfulness.
Comments: 2

Many of us have seen the movie “The Bucket List,” but how many of us have actually taken the time to sit down and write one out for ourselves?

I’ve thought about what I’d like to do in my life before I die and at this time in my life, I’m pretty content with what I have and what I’ve already done.  But does that mean I’m at the end of my bucket list?  Hardly.

• See a few countries before my body is incapable of traveling far distances: tour the countryside of New Zealand, take an African safari, stay at an ashram in India, visit Rome and Florence, Italy.
• Heighten the awareness of heart disease in women.
• Teach others the importance of being present as a way to promote health and well-being.
• Deepen my yoga practice.

I’m sure the list will grow as I continue to think about it.  What’s on your bucket list? 

Posted: March 17th, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease, mindfulness, present moment, yoga.
Comments: 3

I just read an article on WebMD that described a new procedure called Thombus Aspiration to remove blood clots of a clogged artery.  Interesting concept –

first medical experts learn to suck the fat from your tummy and now they are vacuuming blood clots from your arteries.  Take a look at the future of medicine.

Tiny Vacuum Sucks Clots from Arteries 

Posted: March 5th, 2008 under Stained Glass, heart disease.
Comments: 1