Seeing Red

Today is Go Red for Women Day.

Today I'm thinking about my heart.

When I was younger I was diagnosed with WPW, a neurological disorder of the heart that causes extra beats.  There was some concern over whether or not I'd need surgery, and in the end the doctors and I decided not to.

Over the years, my heat beat has become more regular, and the arrhythmia that used to cause me to pass out randomly is seldom detectable, even on an EKG.  Likely it wasn't WPW, but some other cause, since WPW doesn't get better.

Having had that, and also having been diagnosed with prolapsed mitral valve, another diagnosis that seems to have either been resolved or was initially erroneous, I've been long aware of the importance of heart health.

But at about 400 lbs, it wasn't something I'd been terribly good at maintaining.

Right now my cardiologist says my heart is very strong.  My cardiac nurse says I can out perform her on a stress test.  And I am constantly aware of the need to keep my heart strong... often focusing on cardio exercise rather than strength and toning.

Heart disease does not run in my biological family, but it does run in my adoptive family, and I've lost relatives to heart attacks.

I'm always aware that the symptoms of heart attack are not the same for women as for men, and that women often miss the signs.

See how many of the signs you can spot in the video "Just a Little Heart Attack" by Go Red for Women:



How many of them would you just ignore as "probably nothing"?   
Today Cay and I are Going Red.  
And I'm giving myself a heart healthy challenge: reduce stress.

I've gone red today, how about you?

For me it's all about putting the right kind of challenge to my heart:  some quality time on the treadmill, or dancing... and not challenging it with additional distress and emotional pressure. It's also about being aware when I exercise what my target heart rate is, working out at a rate that is high enough to strengthen my heart, but not so high as to damage it or risk bringing on a heart attack.
Here's a good tool for figuring out what your target heart rate should be:  Your Best Training Tool- Target Heart Rate.
According to this tool, my maximum heart rate is 166, and my target for aerobic performance training is  149.4.   Generally I train between 147 and 152, which is spot on.  PLEASE NOTE: I did consult my cardiologist before making my target heart rate zone for cardio exercise in that highest range.
current weight: 214.6 current blood sugar: (unknown, didn't test) health status:  too little sleep last night (a heart risk there) but hope to get a nap in between all my activities today.