RIP Carrie & Debbie

I was so terribly saddened by the death of Carrie Fisher, and then- a day later, her mother, Debbie Reynolds, passed away!

Carrie from a heart attack and her mother, from a broken heart- induced stroke. Yes "broken heart syndrome" is real!

My family and I, are HUGE Stars Wars nerds... Therefore in memory of Princess Leia, I would like to use this as an opportunity to raise awareness.

I don't want either one of their deaths to have been in vain.

First of all, I know us, women, tend to put ourselves last. Our families and careers always come first, and I believe that is why heart disease and stroke are THE NUMBER ONE KILLER in women!

This isn't a joke folks, Carrie was only 60 years old! So young..It breaks my heart!
It is imperative that we know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

STROKE SYMPTOMS:

1) Numbness in arms or face.
One of the most recognizable symptoms of a stroke is paralysis or numbness in the victim’s arm, face, or leg.

2) Trouble speaking.
Your speech can become slurred, or stutter, because of the serious blow to the nervous system, your body will have difficulty forming words.

3) Changes in vision.
Experiencing blurred vision, or having difficulty seeing, is often described as an initial symptom in a stroke.

4) Sudden headaches.
A stroke can be accompanied by a sudden or extremely severe headache.

5) Trouble detecting hot or cold.
When someone has suffered from a stroke it becomes difficult for them to detect a change in your touch sensation.

6) Trouble swallowing.
A big sign of a stroke brewing is having difficulty swallowing foods or liquids out of the blue.

7) Difficulty walking.
Having trouble waking may be an indicator of a stroke close to happening or that you've already had one.

8) Confusion.
Confusion or brain fog, is another sign that your brain may not be getting enough blood.

9) Dizziness or vertigo.
Dizziness or vertigo are often associated with a stroke.

10) Loss of consciousness.
The feeling of passing out, or loss of consciousness is a very serious symptom of stroke.

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS:

1) Chest discomfort.
The discomfort lasts for more than a few minutes or it may go away and come back. The discomfort may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

2) Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. This may include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach.Shortness of breath may occur with or before chest discomfort.

3) Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, “feeling of impending doom,” weakness/fatigue.

WHAT TO DO!?

If someone DOES go into cardiac arrest or has a heart attack, begin uninterrupted, forceful, continuous, chest compressions immediately. The perfect beat is that of the song “Staying Alive” by The Bee Gees.

By maintaining uninterrupted chest compressions, you can dramatically increase the chance of survival by maintaining the patient’s heart in a state that increase the likelihood of shock from a defibrillator, administered through bystanders using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), or administered by paramedics, this will result in survival.

PREVENTION:

I have good news, 80 percent of all cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.

First of all, STOP SMOKING! If you don't smoke, great, you're one step ahead!

Second, get fit. Start working out regularly. Start eating healthy, eating less sugar, (maintaining your blood sugar ), eating less salt.

Start maintaining your cholesterol, and ultimately, losing weight.With these simple lifestyle changes you can prevent a cardiac event!

Together we CAN wipe out heart disease and stroke.

Carrie and Debbie- You're are gone, but never forgotten. May the force be with you!

I’m your Mrs. International reminding you-

TO CHOOSE LOVE,

Priscilla