2/1/2008
As we kick off Heart Awareness month, you should be thinking about how to protect yourself and the ones you love. So take this to heart. Although TV commercials endlessly promote the use of aspirin to ward off heart attack and stroke, the Food and Drug Administration says daily aspirin therapy isn't for everyone. Most health professionals feel that long-term daily use of aspirin in healthy people is unnecessary. While aspirin can help those at risk of heart attack or stroke by preventing the formation of dangerous clots, unwanted side effects could also include stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain, and kidney failure. So before you begin long-term use of any over-the-counter drug, talk with your doctor.
Here’s the Heart Truth. Women can take steps to lower their risk of developing heart disease. If you're a woman aged 40-60, it's especially important because that's the time when a woman's risk of heart disease starts to rise. To learn more, mark this on your calendar. St. John’s is holding its 3rd annual Matters of the Heart Forum, Saturday, February 9th from 9-1. For more info, call St. John’s Referral One at 625-2000 or log onto stj.com.
