Thousands of North Dakotans will get up before the crack of dawn this hunting season and head for the woods or the fields. Few of them consider the strain it puts on their heart.
Every year media reports include stories of sportspeople suffering heart attacks during this season and this year is no exception. There have already been reports of fatal heart attacks during September’s bow hunting season in North Dakota. If you’re not prepared, haven’t had a physical and haven’t exercised much in the year since the last hunt, you may be putting yourself at risk for a heart attack.
The American Heart Association reminds hunters who have not been to their doctor in the year since the last hunt to take this opportunity to get a checkup.
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart attack and heart disease, so one of the best things you can do for your heart is put out the cigarettes. Other tips include avoiding a heavy breakfast before heading out into the woods and to avoid hunting alone. Bring a cell phone to reach emergency services if needed and tell friends or family your location and scheduled return. Also, make sensible plans for moving any game taken.
Preparing your heart for the hunt will lead to better overall health. Studies show that being physically fit lowers heart disease risk even in people who have other risk factors like high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
According to the American Heart Association, warning signs of a heart attack are an uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back again. Also, the pain spreads to the shoulders, neck and arms and is often accompanied by lightheadedness, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath.
Stroke is also a concern while hunting and its warning signs include a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, and a sudden dizziness and loss of coordination.
Both heart attack and stroke are medical emergencies and 911 needs to be accessed immediately.
The American Heart Association has a series of online tools that can encourage conditioning. The Start! program is an initiative for the American Heart Association in which tools are provided to businesses and individuals to get America literally walking to better heart health. For every hour of regular, vigorous exercise, like brisk walking, one can expect two hours will be added to their life expectancy.
The Start! program offers extensive Web tools at www.heart.org/start including myStart! Online, a program that motivates users by connecting them to experts, related health and nutrition information, and virtual teams, for an interactive and customized experience. To learn more about Start! go online or call (800) AHA-USA1. Start! is sponsored nationally by Astra Zeneca, Subway Restaurants, and Healthy Choice.
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Source: American Heart Association, KFGO News Center
