Tag: stress

THE HEART…DID YOU KNOW? PART II.

karenringalls8 Comments

I welcome you to today’s blog which I hope will give you some interesting information to help your health AND to celebrate certain people.

On my blog dated Feb. 13, I shared about the “Broken Heart” syndrome. This condition actually can occur from a stressful situation which causes muscle weakness in the left ventricle of the heart.

Research has also shown that 1 in 6 people who have this syndrome had cancer . Those cancers are breast, lung, internal sex organs, and the skin. The exact correlation is still being investigated. These patients were more likely to pass away within five years compared to those with broken heart syndrome who did not have cancer.

Some of the larger medical institutions have now developed cardio-oncology departments for closer observation and treatment for such patients.

Through my 13 years of being a cancer survivor, I have not met anyone who has had this phenomenon (to my knowledge). However, it is important for everyone, the survivor and his/her care partner, to be aware of this condition.

Which brings me to those who are care partners (caregivers or caretakers). February is the month honoring those who are silent heroes and heroines. I prefer the title care partner because I see the relationship as one of partnering: asking, saying, listening, responding.

SONY DSC

I am deeply grateful for my husband, Jim, who has been my care partner every minute of this unplanned journey with ovarian cancer.

My book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is available at no cost from now and until March 14. It is important that every woman know about this cancer which is called as the silent killer. If you want a copy of the book, please send me your name and address at kareningalls1941@gmail.com.

THE HEART…DID YOU KNOW?

karenringalls16 Comments

Welcome to my blog where you might learn something new, be inspired, or be entertained. Tomorrow is Feb. 14, and we all know that is Valentine’s Day. The heart is its symbol because there is the long-standing relationship of the heart with emotions, including love.

But do you know about the “Broken Heart Syndrome”? There are phrases that speak to this syndrome: you broke my heart, my heart is broken, or the shattering of a heart when being broken is the loudest quiet ever. The “Broken Heart Syndrome” occurs when a shocking experience suddenly occurs. It may be extremely good news such as winning a lot of money, or bad news of a death, financial loss, or a diagnosis.

The heart balloons out into an apical form due to the left ventricle filling with blood. The rest of the heart functions normally. The event feels like a heart attack, rarely fatal, and it occurs in women more than men over the age of 50.

Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

In 1990, this syndrome was first diagnosed in Japan. The medical field is still doing studies to understand this phenomenon. When one says, I love you so much I think my heart will burst, realize it truly can make your heart swell.

Debbie Reynolds passed away one day after her daughter, Carrie Fischer died. Johnny Cash died a few months after his wife did, and former British Prime Minister James Callaghan died of heart and kidney failure in March 2005, just 11 days after his wife Audrey passed away.

The purpose of this information is not to bring sadness, but two things can be learned: both negative and positive stressful events can have strong influences on our bodies, especially the heart. Secondly, the strength of one’s love for another is powerful and beautiful. Such love has a positive influence on everyone around a couple deeply in love.

Courtesy of Joshua Hehe

My wish is for you to celebrate the meaning of Valentine’s Day every day. Let those around you know how much you love them, from your heart send out love to everyone, and let your heart be open to receive love from others.