Through My Eyes

I do not have to spell it out to you but self-neglect leads to much wider issues and when your body tries to tell you something, how in tune are you to listen to that message?

Did you know that your body is the best communicator you have when it comes to warning signs but you have to be in tune with your frequency in order to pick up the message?

With countless health issues, your body sends out signals when something has gone awry. Of course, listening to your body when it complains that you just ate too much spicy food or you have a minor cold coming on may not be of life-shattering importance.

However, when it comes to your heart, listening to your body is crucial because ignoring or misinterpreting those bodily signals can be deadly.

In fact, researchers at Duke University Medical Centre have recently determined that unrecognized myocardial infarctions or "silent" heart attacks, in layman's terms, are much more common than physicians had ever imagined.

Studies indicate that an estimated 17 million people die of cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly heart attacks and strokes, every year. A substantial number of these deaths can be attributed to tobacco smoking, which increases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease 2-3 fold.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are some signs that can indicate a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort.Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body is another sign.Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breathwith or without chest discomfort, or breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or a feeling of light headedness.

Although they are called "silent" heart attacks, your body will warn you of these impending attacks days, weeks, even months before the actual cardiac events. However, symptoms may be mild, vague, or even painless and many people don't even realize they're heart-related.

When it comes to surviving a heart attack, statistics show a clear link between delay in treatment and disability or death. That's why taking 'me time' and having regular breaks to be pampered and to be still is one of the most important ways of staying alive. You deserve some.