Heart Attack Information

Myocardial infarction; MI; Acute MI; ST-elevation myocardial infarction; Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

  

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. If the blood flow is blocked, the heart is starved of oxygen and heart cells die.

A hard substance called plaque can build up in the walls of your coronary arteries. This plaque is made up of cholesterol and other cells.

A heart attack may occur when:

• Blood platelets stick to tears in the plaque and form a blood clot that blocks blood from flowing to the heart. This is the most common cause of heart attacks.
• A slow buildup of this plaque may almost block one of your coronary arteries.

The cause of heart attacks is not always known. Heart attacks may occur:

• When you are resting or asleep
• After a sudden increase in physical activity
• When you are active outside in cold weather
• After sudden, severe emotional or physical stress, including an illness

Many risk factors may lead to a heart attack.

Symptoms

A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number quickly.

• DO NOT try to drive yourself to the hospital.
• DO NOT WAIT. You are at greatest risk of sudden death in the early hours of a heart attack.

Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack. You may feel the pain in only one part of your body, or it may move from your chest to your arms, shoulder, neck, teeth, jaw, belly area, or back.

The pain can be severe or mild. It can feel like:

• A tight band around the chest
• Bad indigestion
• Something heavy sitting on your chest
• Squeezing or heavy pressure

The pain usually lasts longer than 20 minutes. Rest and a medicine called nitroglycerin may not completely relieve the pain of a heart attack. Symptoms may also go away and come back.

Other symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Anxiety
• Cough
• Fainting
• Light-headedness, dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast or irregularly)
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating, which may be very heavy

Some people (the elderly, people with diabetes, and women) may have little or no chest pain. Or, they may have unusual symptoms (shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness). A "silent heart attack" is a heart attack with no symptoms.

This information is credited to: National Center for Biotechnology Information

Go Red for Women

February is American Heart Month 

 As a lot of you may or may not know, February is also women's heart health awareness. This is my third year being an advocate. I really enjoy educating people about heart health and the importance of eating healthy.  

February 7, 2014 is their 10th anniversary for the "Go Red for Women" campaign. On the date, wear your red and raise awareness for heart health.

In the United States, 1 in 4 women dies from heart disease. The most common cause of heart disease in both men and women is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This is called coronary artery disease, and it happens over time. It's the major reason people have heart attacks. 

Read the article in its entirety. Click here. 



To learn more about the Go Red for Women campaign. You can also participate. All are welcome. Go Red for Women

There is a CURE!!!

New Jersey Low Cost Spaying/Neutering Program

Low Cost Spaying/Neutering Program

You may be eligible to have your pet spayed or neutered at a discounted price at one of the participating veterinary hospitals.

Spay or Neuter your adopted dog or cat for $20.00 if you:

• Are a New Jersey Resident
• Adopted your pet from an eligible licensed NJ shelter; municipal, county, or regional pound; NJ holding or impoundment facility that contracts with NJ municipalities; or a non-proi\fit NJ animal adoption referral agency
• licensed the dog in your municipality (licensing for cats is not required).

   

 Spay or Neuter your dog or cat for $10.00 if your receive any of the following:

• Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• General Public Assistance
• Rental Assistance
• Aid to Families with Dependent Children
• Lifeline Utility Credit
• Tenants Lifeline Assistance
• Supplemental Security Income
• Pharmaceutical Assistance to Aged & Disabled

Show the vet your ID card!

Find your county here!

Name that Kitty

 "Kitty" has been in my backyard since the first few days of August. My vision is not the greatest, I thought "Kitty" was a girl. So I named it Katy Kitty. I didn't think the cat would stay around long. I started feeding daily once I realized he wasn't going to leave. 
At this point I was unable to have contact with the cat because he didn't allow it. 

 Kitty started letting me touch a paw. In October I started petting him. When I was sitting on the back porch I seen that he had testicles. I felt kind of stupid. 
Now it is 6 months since he chose me as his "human" and he needs a formal name. I tried to get him adopted but he wouldn't leave with the family. 

I plan on getting him neutered, chipped and shots next month or March; hopefully (fingers crossed).
I will be using the low cost spay/neuter program in NJ. A post will follow with more info.  

I don't mind feeding him. Even though I am struggling to pay for my needs, it is worth going without. I have my cats and I wonder how sad and depressed I would be without them.

 Help me give him a REAL NAME. He is a sweet boy. 
If you are interested in adopting him. Feel free to express interest. 

Sleeping Dogs on Xbox 360

Sleeping Dogs is rated M for mature audience. There is also blood and violence. This is definitely a game for the 17+ crowd. This game is featured on Games for Gold in the Xbox marketplace. It is free to all Gold Members.

I downloaded  Sleeping Dogs a week ago. I have played 6 hours "clocked" by the game. I am 32% complete. I estimate finishing the game in a total of 18-24 hours of "clocked" time. That's based on mid level competency in the game world. 

In my opinion, this game is the Hong Kong version of Grand Theft Auto. I then did some research. This game was originally named True Crimes: Hong Kong. My best guess it is apart of the True Crimes franchise.
I have been enjoying the game so far. I intend on completing this game with all achievements unlocked and 100% completion is shown. That's when you know you NAILED IT!

I am enjoying this game Microsoft Xbox Live

Ask Obama

If you could ask Barack Obama some questions, what would you ask?

1. What made you believe the Affordable Care Act would work?
2. Why are you giving America's money to the Muslim brotherhood?
3. Why do you use jets for personal use if you cannot afford it without government assistance?
4. When will marijuana be taken off the Center of Disease Center charts? 
5. Why did you screw the poor people the most?
6. When are you getting impeached?
7. Why did you think you can change America's 200 year-old problem in 4 to 8 years?
8. Who convinced you to run for president in 2008? 

Healthcare Part 2

As of 5:14 pm Eastern Standard Time on January 28, 2014:  

• I got a food stamp reduction to $18.
• I got a close to $400 Gas and Electric Bill 
• I am stuck paying more for my health premiums. (Double)
• I lost my HMO coverage completely. 
• PSEG collection dept keeps calling
• PSEG billing dept keeps calling

I have to pick whether I want to pay for food or my car insurance or gas & electric bill

What does a person do when things are like this?  

This is not a rhetorical question, I could really use some knowledge.

Meet the Family

I just want to take the time out to introduce the MOST important people in my life. My son and pets make me feel so warm inside. Without them in my life I would have probably been killed myself. 

Me (Left)  My first love Buddy. He is MY WORLD. He makes me so happy without even trying. He is VERY smart, considerate, and caring. Sometimes I wonder where he get the "caring" gene because I can be a douche at time. 

 

These are my turtles. The big one on the bottom name is
Turtle. The small one name is Michael Angelo like the
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

 

 

This is Smokey. I call him Baby. I got him from lady that had 2 adult cats who had just had babies. She was taking him and his to the shelter because they didn't have room. He changed my life. He is very playful and a excellent hunter.

In February 2013, I got Jamir from a pet adoption event that was at a PetSmart. From the first look at him, I knew he was perfect. He is chatty and plays all day and night (literally).  When he came home with me, he was getting over an ear infection and a cold of some sort. 

 

This is Kitty. He appeared on my back porch around August 2, 2013. He has never left since. He is a feral cat that allows me to be the cat mom. So... He's my kitty. When he came he was about 10 to 12 weeks old. I thought "kitty" was a girl. So I originally name him "Katy Kitty" (I am a huge Katy Perry fan and she's a cat lady too!) 

No 'Blurred Lines'

I have been with the same guy. Sometimes you just don't see certain things. Maybe tunnel vision?  When I met him, he was on unemployment. (Ladies that's a flag.)  I didn't think anything of it. His family and friends always say "He Aint Shit." He keeps saying we have to get through it or "don't worry I will make something happen." 

Well I see it now!

Since his unemployment ran out in 2010, he has only worked at a few temp services. In 2011, he worked about 6 days. In 2012, he worked about 4 months. Last year he worked a total of 80 days. In the last 6 months he worked 3 damn days. Now I am over annoyed. 

I do understand the economy is not doing good at all. I feel like I am being dragged through the mud because he is looking for the perfect job. 

He just sounds so incompetent. Bills are piling up and he has not bought in but $180. Well... We live in New Jersey and the cost of living is extremely high. Property taxes through the roof. Car insurance expensive as hell. As far as food goes, we cant but good food because it is so expensive. It's almost feels like getting hand me down food. What can you do? 

Yesterday I got another letter of disbelief. I cried the whole day. I just feel like I am not supposed to be alive. I got a letter from Social Security stating I had to pay more money for my premiums. I don't mind paying my fair share. They were taking an additional $200 monthly. I am SO hoping there is some glitch. Anyway... down to $580 to pay all my bills. 

I pay for food, water, gas, sewage, and electricity. For starters, PSE&G charges $0.80 per therm. Typically you will use about 240 therms in a months time. Then they charge a delivery charge that is about 33% less in price then what you actually used. The water company also charge a delivery fee. 

Really Struggling.

I have been on Social Security for 3 years due to my heart condition. I have Vaso-Vagal syncope. I also have Thyroid Disease. Every time I get a job, I end up losing the job because I get sick and cant go. 

I feel like I am losing the little that I have. Honestly, it's like my world is literally crashing and I am trying to put the shattered pieces together. 

In October 2013, I received a letter stating I was getting cut to $18.00 in food stamps. Totally fine.

November 2, 2013 they were cut.

November 3, 2013 I paid PSEG $145 

November 9,2013 PSEG sent me a $250 bill for gas and electric. 

December 5, 2013 I paid Trenton Water Works $110.

December 11, 2013 PSEG sent a bill $342 in addition to past due of $100.

December 21, 2013 Horizon NJ Health  sent me a letter stating I was losing coverage as of December 31, 2013. No reason was listed. 

December 23-Jan  Been calling all kinds of agencies to figure out a reason. Never received a call back. 

As of today, Social Security told me it was a state issue and they were the federal government. 

Healthcare Part 1

I was covered under Blue Cross Blue Shield for 7 years. I got a letter in the mail on December 21, 2013 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The letter stated that I would lose coverage as of December 31, 2013. I have to tell you, I felt like they sent me divorce papers. 

I had to wait until Monday to call them.

I called them on Monday. Explained the letter. I was then told to call the county welfare office or Social Security. I called both places. They had no idea what I was talking about. They asked who sent the letter I let them know the letter came from Horizon and said to call them or the county office. They looked up my case and seen it was closing on December 31, 2013 but no reason was in their system. They gave me the number to the offices that do Medicaid on Quakerbridge Road, in Hamilton, NJ.  I called, I was transferred to a woman's extension whose mailbox said she would be out until January 6, 2014. I pushed "0" and got the operator assuming. She looked it up and said no reason was listed. I ended up calling welfare and having to leave a message to see if there was anything I could do to receive the healthcare help. 

I called back December 26, 2013 and left another message.  Again on January 3,2014.

It is January 27,2014, I have still not received a call back. This is the service you get at the Mercer County Board of Social Services in Trenton, NJ. 

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert & Madonna performing - The Grammy'...

 I was very excited about Macklemore & Ryan Lewis performance of the song "Same Love." The marriage ceremony was very touching. Mary Lambert wrote the song called, "She Keeps Me Warm. Here's the song.

 

Last night around 8:05 pm, I found out one of my uncles passed away. He had HIV/AIDS for 20+ years. He was gay. He was my favorite uncle. When my son needed someone the most, he was the one that was there. He made time for my son. I have to mention this: I was adopted because a lot of stuff happened and they didn't give a shit but Uncle Curt did. It's really messed up because the ones who adopted me are actual blood relatives. So much for "Blood is Thicker than Water;" total CRAP! I even heard some of his family member say, he love my son as it was his own. Some of his nieces with children were very jealous. I thought about putting my cousin name on here but she's the type to sue the broke. When reading this blog you will know who I am talking about if you know them. The joke is finally on you.  LOL! BOOM!!! I felt uplifted for him because there was a time when gay men had to fight for their lives; IT'S OVER! 

I support equal rights for ALL humanity. I support same sex love. 

Introduction

Hey Everyone!

I want to tell my story. Sometimes I feel like I am living in captivity. I guess I have to get over that. I am 26 from New Jersey. I was in foster care from the age of 2 until i turned 19. I have a son, he is 8. Buddy means the world to me.
Many different things have been going on in my life. Just to name a few:

• Mother's addiction
• Father's addiction and infidelity
• Social Awkwardness
• Loneliness
• Fear

While reading this blog, you will see a lot of things that I like. Here's a sneak peak:

• Crocheting
• Scrap Booking
• Driving
• Video games
• Flea Markets
• Yard Sales
• Shopping