Take your aspirin and be reasonable

[hoosierdoc]

I've seen several heart attacks recently with men doing yard work. No history of heart disease and no warning signs of pain leading up to it. Just remember there ARE some times to be a complainer, and don't take a freaking shower before getting an evaluation. Time is heart.

911 isn't just there because you don't want to drive. They can get an immediate EKG during your symptom which is often the only time we'll see an injury pattern on the EKG.

I've already personally seen more heart attacks this season from yard work than I did from snow shoveling. Be safe!

 

[Fenway]

What are your thoughts on a small asprin daily. Saw some important dr on tv say people need to stop taking worthless vitamins and if they want to improve their chances of living a longer life take an asprin daily

 

[sharkey]

What are your thoughts on a small asprin daily. Saw some important dr on tv say people need to stop taking worthless vitamins and if they want to improve their chances of living a longer life take an asprin daily

Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil?

 

[hoosierdoc]

Vitamins for the most part are junk and marketing in my opinion. If you have a specific disease then fine, but the regular excessive intake is a bit much if you're doing more than a multivitamin a day and you eat a decent diet.

81mg aspirin is all you need for prevention and treatment of coronary and stroke conditions. Just be aware of stomach ulcer risks. Really no reason to ever take more than 325mg aspirin a day. For pain, use Tylenol or naproxen. I saw an 18yo eat a hole in her stomach from taking Midol PMS for cramps.

Everything in moderation (except INGO!)

 

[vitamink]

I was surprised how many people this year dropped dead while shoveling snow. I know of three on the same block 1 week apart. I started running more and refocused my gym routine and diet. I don't think we get enough help tips on here. Good advice Hoosierdoc REPPED

 

[AD Marc]

I had to scold my grandfather for driving himself to the hospital with his last heart attack. Not only can the medics get treatment started earlier, but if you deteriorate behind the wheel you could kill other people.

One of the places EMS actually makes a big difference is for heart attack victims. A paramedic can do just about everything in the field that the ER will do for someone with a heart attack and do it faster. In some areas they actually bypass the ER completely and take the patient right to the cath lab.

 

[snorko]

Everything in moderation (except INGO!)

Here! Here!

Thanks for the timely reminder hoosierdoc. I learned a long time ago you never know. My father had triple bypass in 1982 and is going strong with no recurrence of symptoms or trouble. Conversely my mother literally dropped dead from a collapsed heart valve at the age of 61 with no previous warnings or symptoms.

Needless to say I pay attention to things a bit.

 

[Turn Key]

The Mayo Clinic web site has been my go to for many medical questions.

Heart attack: First aid - MayoClinic.com

Someone having a heart attack may experience any or all of the following:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of the chest
• Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen
• Discomfort or pain spreading beyond the chest to the shoulders, neck, jaw, teeth, or one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Sweating
• Nausea

A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes, but it can also have no symptoms at all. Many people who experience a heart attack have warning signs hours, days or weeks in advance.
If you or someone else may be having a heart attack

• Call 911 or your local emergency medical assistance number. Don't tough out the symptoms of a heart attack for more than five minutes. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options, and realize that it places you and others at risk when you drive under these circumstances.
• Chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you're allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin. But seek emergency help first, such as calling 911.
• Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed. Do not take anyone else's nitroglycerin, because that could put you in more danger.
• Begin CPR if the person is unconscious. If you're with a person who might be having a heart attack and he or she is unconscious, tell the 911 dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist. You may be advised to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If you haven't received CPR training, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and performing only chest compressions (about 100 per minute). The dispatcher can instruct you in the proper procedures until help arrives.

TK

 

[goldtrigger]

Good advice, Hoosier doc!

 

[Sylvain]

More INGO and less yard work.
Also I heard (I might have heard myself saying it) that eating Oreos every day makes you healthier (if that's even a word).

 

[hoosierdoc]

One of the places EMS actually makes a big difference is for heart attack victims. A paramedic can do just about everything in the field that the ER will do for someone with a heart attack and do it faster. In some areas they actually bypass the ER completely and take the patient right to the cath lab.

Very true. While I student we had someone develop chest pain, call their brother to come over and drive him 40 minutes in the ER. He showered first. Presented to triage and fell over dead in the waiting room.

We have protocols for EMS activating the cath lab and directing them straight to the interventional cardiologist for therapy. Fantastic setup when it works right.

 

[CTC B4Z]

What is your best advice for those who the sun doesnt like much?

I have been getting heat strokes 1-2 times a summer and what seems to be a result of that, migraines... The doctors cant figure any sort of trigger... I sweat alot but I also consume alot of water during hard work days... But any other tips? thanks

 

[Sylvain]

What is your best advice for those who the sun doesnt like much?

I have been getting heat strokes 1-2 times a summer and what seems to be a result of that, migraines... The doctors cant figure any sort of trigger... I sweat alot but I also consume alot of water during hard work days... But any other tips? thanks

Wear a hat or work at night like vampires do?

 

[shibumiseeker]

What is your best advice for those who the sun doesnt like much?

I have been getting heat strokes 1-2 times a summer and what seems to be a result of that, migraines... The doctors cant figure any sort of trigger... I sweat alot but I also consume alot of water during hard work days... But any other tips? thanks

You are losing water faster than you are consuming it, and it can take a couple of DAYS to properly rehydrate. You also need to be replacing electrolytes, and popular sports drinks don't do that. The brain can lose about a third of its volume due to dehydration as the body uses brain tissue as a water reservoir, and this shrinkage is often the cause of severe headache.

I want to expand on something hoosierdoc said regarding aspirin for strokes. For preventative use the daily baby aspirin IF recommended by your doctor who knows YOUR history may be indicated. You may be given aspirin (and other drugs) in the ER for emergency treatment of stroke, but it's NOT recommended for at-home emergency treatment because there are two kinds of strokes- ones that are caused by clots which aspirin can help, and ones caused by bleeding which aspirin can make much worse. They have tests in the hospital to determine if it is an ischemic stroke (blood clot) or hemorrhagic.

Stroke - Treatment

 

[CTC B4Z]

not good enough.. even in the pool i wear a hat and soak it every few minutes*** and i dont even cut my grass anymore I pay someone to , just to void the heat

 

[CTC B4Z]

I do drink Gatorade, but also Pedialite

 

[shibumiseeker]

I do drink Gatorade, but also Pedialite

Pedialyte is good stuff but Gatorade is next to useless.

Something else to consider, the older you get the more susceptible to heat stroke you are, and if you spend your week in a temperature controlled environment and then work outside on the hot weekends your body never has an opportunity to acclimatize which takes 2-3 weeks.

 

[CTC B4Z]

any supplements to take to help with whats lost in sweat?

 

[shibumiseeker]

any supplements to take to help with whats lost in sweat?

The chart and recipes listed on this site are top notch:
Make Your Own Sports Drinks - Hydration and Electrolyte Information | lovingthebike.com

 

[CTC B4Z]

TY.