“The touch of God is awesome not just because it is God who touches, but also because it is a touch. It is a real connection. That it involves the heart is awesome. That it involves God is awesome. And that it involves an actual touch is awesome.”
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Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Boston College. He loves his five grandchildren, four children, one wife, one cat, and one God. He has written 75 books including (affiliate link) MAKING SENSE OUT OF SUFFERING
“Our brain controls the actions of the body’s other organs, but the heart supplies the power that keeps everything working smoothly, including the brain. Using the intricate “highway” system of arteries and veins, the heart pumps blood carrying oxygen, water, and nutrients to every cell in the body.” more at –
“Anyone who has ever had a “broken heart” (and who hasn’t?) knows that sadness and grief cause not just emotional pain, but also physical pain. And since that pain is often felt in our chest, it makes sense that we call it “heart break”.” Continue at-
In sudden cardiac death, the heart stops beating abruptly
“Keeping our HEARTS healthy involves doing what we can to change the 7 risk factors what doctors often call the modifiable risk factors.” Find them at –
February is American Heart Month, highlighting heart health amidst Valentine’s Day. In this post I outline seven major types of heart diseases and risk factors such as smoking and hypertension. Recognizing heart problem symptoms is crucial. Maintaining heart health involves addressing risk factors with healthy lifestyle choices. Share this vital information.
February is American Heart Month and has Valentine’s Day, February 14. So, let’s explore our hearts and how we can keep them healthy.
At this previous post you can learn about the HEART’S anatomy and how it works.
Heart diseases affect any and sometimes multiple parts of the heart- the atria, ventricles, the valves, the aorta, the pulmonary artery and veins, the walls and the coronary arteries (not shown in this diagram. )
Congenital heart disease (problems present at birth)
Cardiomyopathy- disease of the heart muscle
Coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction ( heart attack)- the most common cause of death in the United States
Congestive heart failure
Sudden cardiac death
Arrhythmia-irregular heart beats
Hypertension- high blood pressure
An electrocardiogram, EKG, records the heart beats produced by the heart’s electrical system.
Protecting our HEARTS from Disease, Disability, and Death.
7 major risk factors for heart disease
smoking
hypertension
excess body weight
sedentary lifestyle, too little physical activity
high blood fats (cholesterol)
high blood sugar (glucose)
poor nutrition
Other Risk Factors
Gender– unfortunately males are somewhat more at risk, especially at younger ages.
Age– our risk increases as our age does.
Ethnicity– some ethnic groups have a higher risk. In the United States these are African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics.
Family history– This means a close relative, like a parent or sibling, who developed heart disease young, or less than 50 years old.
Recognizing that you may have a heart problem can be the first step to getting effective treatment. Here are
7 Symptoms of a Heart Problem
Chest pain– this is probably the most recognized heart disease symptoms, but is not unique to heart disease, nor is it always found in heart disease.
Shortness of breath– especially if it occurs with minimal exertion, or if you find you have less tolerance for exertion.
Palpitations– this means feeling like your heart is beating too fast, too hard, or at irregular intervals.
Fatigue- especially if out of proportion to physical activity, if you tire more easily or quickly, or seem to have less energy than in the past
Unexplained weight gain or swelling in the feet and legs
Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing or walking, especially after exertion.
Syncope, the medical term for fainting or passing out, especially if no other obvious cause (some people know they faint at the sight of blood, or with certain smells; that form of fainting is usually harmless, unless injured from falling)
How to keep Your HEART healthy
Keeping our hearts healthy involves changing the first 7 risk factors I mentioned, which doctors often call modifiable risk factors.
Eat less junk food, make healthier food choices. Learn easy ways to shop healthier from the American Heart Association
Have your blood pressure checked regularly (ask your doctor how often). If you have hypertension, follow your doctor’s management plan, which may include medication. Learn more from FamilyDoctor.org
Control and manage stress. Medical studies suggest that emotional stress can bring on cardiovascular disease. You can learn more from Dr. James Marroquin’s fascinating post.
always exploring the HEART of heart health
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