Healthy Heart Review

If you know someone who has at a stroke or who is at risk for a stroke you will want to make sure that they understand exactly what a stroke is. It is very important that you recognize all of the warning signs of a stroke. You will see that many of the symptoms will occur quickly so you will want to call 9-1-1 or get your loved one to the hospital as quickly as possible. Even thought some of the people who have the symptoms are not just having a stroke. It is important to recognize all of the symptoms, but you should also try to act quickly so that you can minimize the damage.

You will want to get immediate attention if there is a sudden numbness in the face, arm and leg. It can occur on both sides of the body or it may just be one side. It all depends what affects the brain. There are times when the body is   only affected on one side of the body. You will also notice that the person will struggle with their speech and may have difficulty understanding others. Also, you will see things like confusion, dizziness, tiredness, and loss of coordination as a sign too. You will want to get emergency care immediately so that your friend can have a better chance. There are people who do die from a stroke.

That’s what it is very important that you take the time to write down all valuable information and leave it next to the phone. Make sure you have all the numbers that you could possibly ever need to help you for emergency problems. You may also want to carry a cell phone with the same information in your pocket, purse, or wallet for any occasion that you might be out and need to get emergency help.

Every stroke will and should be treated as an emergency. It is very important you think about getting help as if you new someone was taking a heart attack. You will also find that timing is very important. Early treatment can help you save your friend’s life. You will want to make sure that get treated within three hours of showing signs. You will be given medications to dissolve blood clots and you will also find that your doctor or the hospital will try to do all that they can to minimize the damage.

After a stroke you will need to give the person some time for rehabilitation. They may need to take several months off and lean the basics all over again. Most people are unable to do things like walking, talking, or even associating with those that they love. Sometimes it is best that you spend as much time with a person who has had a stroke so that they know that they loved and make a good recovery.
 

Blueberry Waffles Healthy Heart Style

Not all healthy heart recipes have to be bland and boring.    You can find recipes that not only look good but taste good as well.   In fact, with a bit of changes in your normal recipes you will not even notice that you are eating a healthy heart recipe and getting all the benefits that go with that.

Did you know breakfast doesn’t have to be boring?    What if I told you that you could sit down tomorrow and have blueberry waffles for breakfast - yummy huh?

I’m going to share with you my favourite blueberry waffles recipe.    Now you don’t have to stick with my choice of topping you can use any sort of fruit that you like…

So without further ado…

Blueberry Waffles Healthy Heart Style

Stuff you will need before you start cooking!

    * A waffle maker
    * 2 bowls
    * egg beater
    * metal mixing spoon
    * a saucepan
    * 1 cup wholemeal flour
    * 1/2 cup bran flake cereal
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder
    * 225ml low fat milk
    * 100 ml light thickened cream
    * 1 teaspoon clear honey, plus more to drizzle on top if  you like it that way
    * 2 egg whites

For the topping ….

    * 2 punnets (or about 500 gm) of  blueberries (you can also use frozen if you don’t have fresh)
    * 1  tablespoon  orange juice unsweetened concentrate or fresh orange juice
    * Sweetener like SugarTwin or Equal (use this sparingly tasting as you go) but not more than 1/2 cup

First up…

    * Heat up your waffle maker in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
    * Grab your large bowl and add the flour, cereal and baking powder
    * Make a well in the middle of your dry ingredients and add the cream, milk and honey
    * In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Do not overbeat or your waffles will taste like leather!
    * Fold the stiffened egg whites into your bowl of batter until just blended
    * Pour your batter into your waffle maker.   Your batter should cover about 2/3 of the grid.    Cook for about 4 minutes or until the lid lifts easily.
    * Remove your waffle and keep warm while you make the topping and continue making waffles until you run out of batter

To make your topping

• Put one punnett of blueberries and the juice in a saucepan and ring to a boil, reduce heat slightly and cook, stirring, for 20 minutes or until the juice has nearly evaporated.
• Stir in sweetener to taste.
• Cook 5 minutes longer.

Assemble your waffles

    * Take your waffle, add some of the whole blueberries that you had not used, cover with topping and dig in…..

This recipe should be enough for a family of four trying to keep their heart healthy

Enjoy

If you or a loved one experience any of the following indications of a stroke you will need to call for urgent medical assistance and get to a hospital immediately. Knowing these simple warning signs can help you deal with a potential life threatening situation and perhaps save the life of someone you love.

 One of the usual symptoms is a sudden numbness in the face, arms, and legs.  Usually the numbness will be on one side of the body. The function of your body is controlled by the left and right side of the brain.   When you have a stroke one side of your brain will be affected by a lack of oxygen and a surge of blood and one side of your body will be affected by the symptoms of the stroke.  

 Confusion is another symptom with difficulty forming words and comprehending normal functions.  Often this feeling of confusion in the sufferer will bring on a panic attack as the sufferer is unable to understand what has occurred.

Visual impairment is another symptom of stroke with difficulty seeing either out of both or one eye.  It is normal for all senses to be affected by a stroke as the brain controls our senses it is only natural that there is a flow on effect when a stroke occurs.

The confusion and visual impairment together with a loss of the sense of gravity can cause a sufferer to become unco-ordinated and have difficulty maintaining their balancing.

Some stroke survivors have reported an extreme headache or migraine.  A sudden severe headache or migraine can also be signs of other illnesses that can also be life threatening and require medical attention urgently. 

Being prepared for unexpected illness can save your life or that of your loved on.   If you carry a medical alert bracelet or alarm you will be providing means for any passer bys or medical professionals to assist you.

In your home you can have a list of  emergency numbers and your own health care provider numbers in a place where the family can access it.    At your work you can ensure that your Human Resources Manager has an emergency contact for you together with any medical health provider that you use.

 By keeping your information up to date and handy of your medical practitioners you will make it easier for people to assist you quickly and give you the proper care for your circumstances.

 Bear in mind that not all of the symptoms above could mean that you are suffering from stroke.   It may be that those symptoms can be explained by a number of other circumstances and could be either less or  more serious than strokes.   The most important thing to remember is that if you are feeling unwell you should immediately consult your local health practitioner.