Embrace Your Heart Blog

Snacks vs Treats

A little trick for better choices

My friend Jill Fleming shared a great strategy for making healthy choices.  She is a registered dietitian and her strategies have changed how my family eats.  By understanding the difference between "grow foods" and  "treats," my six-year-old daughters can make a healthy choice.  It works!

Grow foods are items on which the sun has recently shined.  The more refined and processed something is the farther from a "grow food" it becomes.  Raw vegetables and fruits are great examples of "grow foods," as are whole grains.   These foods fuel your body; allowing young children to grow and adults to thrive.   Read the label.  If there are ingredients with more than three syllables - it isn't a grow food.  Keep an eye out for high fructose corn syrup (another source of sugar) and partially hydrogenated oils (the source of trans fat) these are ingredients to avoid.

Treats are items which may taste good, but aren't going to help you grow or thrive.  It is okay to have a cookie or some ice cream, but it should be a treat -- something special and extra outside what you give your body to grow and thrive.  Treats are not limited to sweets.  For example, salty and fried items such as chips have no nutritional value, yet can be quite tasty.  Soda, even diet soda, is a treat. 

So, go ahead and have a treat, but make good choices: 

Avoid items with trans-fat, which your body never needs. 

Limit treats to once a day or a few times per week.

Pay attention to the portion size. Split the giant cookie with a friend or save half for tomorrow.

Don't replace meals with treats. A dough nut isn't breakfast - it's a treat.

Beware of sneaky treats. Some things look like grow foods but a really treats in disguise. Yogurt with high fructose corn syrup is more like pudding than a grow food. 

Limit soda (and diet soda) to treat times.  Don't drink soda as your beverage with a meal.  Give your body healthy beverages such as water, skim milk and herbal tea.

By choosing "grow foods" at meals and snacks, you can afford to give yourself a treat.  I reserve my treat for a glass of red wine and some good dark chocolate each night and enjoy it thoroughly!

Treat yourself, but do it right!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

My Girls: The Advocates

Callie, Governor Doyle, Gracie and Eliz

Having to leave a birthday party before the cake is pretty traumatic for  six-year-olds, but last December that is exactly what happened to my daughters Gracie and Callie.  Even though the owner of the bowling alley had assured me it was safe to bring Callie, who has asthma, because the facility was “smoke-free” during the day, Callie began having breathing problems soon after the party began because people were smoking in the bar.

Relying on the faulty “magic half-wall” theory of smoke control, the bowling alley's definition of “smoke-free” meant my girls had to leave or risk significant illness.  As it was, Callie was sick for three days.

“It's not fair.  People shouldn't smoke around kids.”  Callie cried in the car.

“Why do we have to leave?  They should have to leave.”  Grace argued.

They were right.  It isn't fair.  We need a clear definition of smoke-free in Wisconsin.  I explained part of my work as the Chair of the American Heart Association Wisconsin State Advocacy Committee is to make sure everyone can enjoy restaurants and bowling alleys without having to worry about smoke.  “Can we go next time?  I want to tell someone about leaving before the cake!”  Grace said.

Since then, both girls have told anyone who will listen about why we need to keep cigarette smoke away from children – even Governor Doyle.

Our whole family is working to make a difference.  You are never too young to learn about standing up for what you believe.  I am delighted the American Heart Association has given my husband, Clay, and me the opportunity to show our girls the importance of advocacy!

There are smoke-free initiatives all over the country.  To get involved in your area join the American Heart Association's You're the Cure Network.

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Too Busy To Work Out At Work? Use Chunks!

So what if you can't make it to the gym.  Don't deprive your body of the activity it needs – get it in small chunks of time.

Research conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia found three ten-minute blocks of exercise were as beneficial as thirty minutes of activity.  Which is great news for those of us who have trouble fitting exercise into our busy days.

Tips to take advantage of your “chunks” of activity:

Park farther away or take a lap around your building before you start work.

Walk the halls at break time or at lunch. (However,  you must keep going – don't stop to chat.  Pretend you are on the West Wing and walk & talk)

Settle into the evening with a quick walk around your neighborhood.

Take Rover for a walk.

Extend activities such as unloading groceries by carrying one bag at a time.

Take a “victory lap” around the office at the end of the day.  Wishing everyone a good evening might buy you some good will as well!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

The Dangers of Dining Al Desko

How often do you find yourself eating at your desk?  Is dining al desko putting your health at risk? 

According to the American Dietetic Association, 75% of office workers eat lunch at our desks at least two or three times a week.  Trying to fit a bit more work in during the day may seem like a good idea, but at what price?

Staying tied to your desk robs your body of the opportunity to move, deprives your brain the opportunity to disengage and recharge and limits your exposure to the sun.  Furthermore, the choices for one-handed dining tend to be less than healthy.

Even on the busiest of days, a ten to fifteen minute break for a brisk walk outside and a healthy lunch will be more productive than pounding down whatever can be found in the vending machine while returning e-mails.  As the blood sugar drops and eye strain sets in, productivity goes out the window.

Here are some tips to stay productive and healthy:

Starting to fade? Don't forget to eat and eat well.  If you must dine al desko and can plan ahead, pack a healthy lunch rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Low fat yogurt is a great choice for a quick meal or even crackers and cheese. 

Tackling a tough problem? Clear your mind by changing your environment.  Get up, walk away and disengage from the problem.  When you return, the new perspective may result in a solution.

Having a 3:00 pm energy slump? Choose a healthy snack to boost your brain power.  Avoid the sugary snacks in the vending machine and choose a handful of nuts or some popcorn.

Eyes beginning to cross? Close your eyes and sit back in your chair.  Take ten slow, deep breaths.  Letting your eyes rest at least once per hour will help you focus.

Getting a headache? Grab some water!  One of the biggest causes of headaches is dehydration.  Drink water throughout the day and avoid the salty snacks.

Mood getting gloomy? Just walking outside for a few minutes of fresh air and sunlight will brighten your mood and reenergize your day.

If you find yourself dining al desko regularly, it may be time to access how well you are managing your stress and your time.  Periodic time crunches happen, but are you trading your health for something valuable or are you stuck in a rut?  You have the right to a break during the day, don't short yourself.

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Introducing the Patient's Perspective Magazine

Welcome to the Patient's Perspective!

Each month the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative presents a teleconference addressing a specific challenge faced by women living with heart disease.  The result: a wealth of information to share and a monthly publication.

“Having the opportunity to share our experiences and challenges is empowering.  Providing the information to other patients and to healthcare providers will make a difference in the day-to-day quality of life for women living with heart disease,” says Eliz Greene, the Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative and host of the Patient's Perspective. 

To download a copy of the latest magazine or hear the Patient's Perspective Teleconference on Women Living On Blood Thinners and find the dates of upcoming teleconferences please visit the Embrace Your Heart Website. 

The Patient's Perspective on Women Living on Blood Thinners Panel:

Eliz Greene survived a heart attack at age 35 while seven months pregnant with twins.  As the director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative, Eliz is on a mission to inspire women to pay attention to their heart health, educated health care professionals about the challenges faced by female heart patients and champion the cause of women and heart disease.

Mellanie True Hills is a heart disease survivor and the author of A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life: The HEART Program for Health & Longevity. After having a brush with death in emergency heart surgery, Mellanie now uses her second chance to coach individuals in creating healthy lifestyles and organizations in creating healthy, productive workplaces.  Mellanie is a regular contributer to the Patient's Perspective and uses her background interpreting IT jargon into English to help women understand medical terminology.  She is the Founder & CEO, American Foundation for Women's Health and StopAfib.org

Kay Marie Kortas is a kindergarten teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Kay Marie survived a heart attack, two open heart surgeries, two stentings, a cardiac arrest and the implantation of an internal defibrillator all before the age of 36.  Kay Marie provides a young woman's point of view during the Patient's Perspective Teleconferences.

Building on more than 20 years experience as an educator and advocate for the American Heart Association, Patty Borkowski is an essential part of the Embrace Your Heart team.  Patty lends her voice to the Patient's Perspective providing her views as a woman living with Atrial Fibrillation.

Stressed or Stroke? Three questions to ease your mind about your headache

Knowing she was at risk for stroke made Patty Borkowski’s daily headaches worrisome. How do you tell a headache brought on by eye strain or an afternoon drop in blood sugar and from a medical emergency?

“At approximately 3:15 every afternoon, I thought I was suffering a stroke.  I'd be at the computer pounding away and my eyes would get so sore and then that was when my imagination would start to take over.   I would pull away from the computer, put my head onto my hands and think, “Oh, it's 3:12 -- it's almost time for my stroke!”  And then perspective would come back and I would force myself to do a mini assessment where you smile, say your name and put your hands over your head. 

But it was amazing how this daily stroke became a routine, to the point where my assistant would walk by and look at me with my head on my hands and say, 'Oh gosh, is it stroke time already?'”

Having a simple test is comforting and it is so simple a common lay person could help determine if it is time to call 911.

“A stroke is a medical emergency,” says Eliz Greene, Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative.  “The quicker you get help, the better your chances of recovery. There are great new drugs and treatments available, but you need to get help right away.”

Three Important Questions:

Can you smile? 
Look closely -- if one side of the face is drooping, then it is time to call 911.

Can you say your name? 
If the speech is slurred or difficult to understand call 911.

Can you raise BOTH hands over your head? 
If only one is up, it is time to call 911.

During a stoke the brain is starved of oxygen because the blood flow is blocked by a clot or a burst blood vessel.  When the brain is deprived of oxygen it starts to die.  Knowing the warning signs of stroke can make the difference between recovery and disability or death. 

Stroke symptoms arise suddenly and according to the American Stroke Association include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Experiencing even one of the symptoms is a sign to get help immediately. 

Women are at high risk for stroke; in fact, every six minutes a woman dies of stroke. 

To reduce your risk of all cardiovascular diseases including stroke:

• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Be active
• Avoid tobacco
• Monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
• Manage stress

That headache every afternoon may not be a stroke, but it may indicate you need to better manage your stress.

Tips for managing the afternoon headache:

Take a break from the computer every twenty minutes. 
Close your eyes and breathe deeply.  Ten deep breaths with your eyes closed will decrease eye strain.

Get up every hour. 
Even if you just stand up and do a few deep knee bends,  move your body and get your blood flowing.

Have a snack:
Fuel your brain with a healthy snack such as a handful of dried fruit and nuts (you could even add a few heart-healthy dark chocolate chips!)

See your doctor: 
If you are experiencing daily headaches, get yourself a check up. 

Seek Immediate Help:
If you are experiencing any sudden changes, or fail the three important questions, call 911.

Read more about the Patient's Perspective on Blood Thinners in the Patient's Perspective Magazine or  download the Special Report on headaches and stroke.  You may also listen to the discussion on headaches and stoke or the full conversation on blood thinners. 

Please share your thoughts on headaches and stroke or suggest topics for future Patient's Perspective calls by making a comment below. Thanks!

The Patient's Perspective is a monthly teleconference addressing the challenges faced by women living with heart disease.   The teleconferences are hosted by Eliz Greene, Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative. Find out more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com 

Bruise Be Gone

Bruising is a fact of life for women living on blood thinners. 
Embarrassment about your bruises doesn’t have to be.

Women living on blood thinners are no strangers to bruising. A tight shoe, a light bump against a chair or an over zealous thigh slap while laughing can cause a nasty-looking mark that can be embarrassing -- to a woman and her family.

“I was constantly bruised, on my arms, legs, torso and face, even dark purple dark circles around my eyes and splotching on the skin of my face.  I really looked bad.  It was to the point where my husband didn't want to take me any place because he was compelled to say, “I don't beat her, it's the Coumadin®! It is really bad when your family feels they have to apologize for the way you look,”  said Mellanie True Hills.

Kay Marie Kortas a kindergarten teacher who survived a heart attack at age 34 added, “You think twice about wearing shorts or skirts or sleeveless tops, because you don't want to go around feeling like someone has been beating you up or give off that impression by any means.      It is a challenge on a daily basis.” 

Simply running into something lightly can result in a huge bruise, so women on blood thinners have to be careful to avoid injury if they can.  But, as Mellanie points out, bruising can sometimes be a clue of something else.  “If your blood is too thin it can actually just leak out of your blood vessels.  If you start seeing bruises coming up on your skin and you know you didn't bump into something, that is probably a clue that your blood is way to thin and you need to get it back under control quickly.”

Tips for bruising:
Ice it quickly: 
Reduce the size and color of bruises by icing the area immediately.  Keep the ice on the area for twenty minutes.

Cover it up: 
Dermablend is a great product developed to cover birth marks.  Use it on our face,  arms and legs.  The setting powder keeps it from rubbing or sweating off and it works great under pantyhose.  Find it at www.dermablend.com

Keep it under control: 
If you take Coumadin® or warfarin, be vigilant in keeping your monitoring appointments.  Get your thinness level checked if you experience unusual or unexplained bruising. 

Read more about the Patient's Perspective on Blood Thinners in the Patient's Perspective Magazine or  download the Special Report on bruising.  You may also listen to the discussion on bruising or the full conversation on blood thinners. 

Please share your thoughts on bruising or suggest topics for future Patient's Perspective calls by making a comment below. Thanks!

The Patient's Perspective is a monthly teleconference addressing the challenges faced by women living with heart disease.   The teleconferences are hosted by Eliz Greene, Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative. Find out more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com 

Exporing the "Icky Period" Problem

When a younger woman is put on a blood thinner the doctor or nurse isn’t likely to tell her, “Guess what, this is probably going to make your period a bit of a challenge.  It came as a big surprise to me,” said Eliz Greene who is 42 and currently takes Plavix®.  “Talking about the “Icky Period” problem is very important, so women don’t think they are the only ones out there going through it.”

“In the beginning I didn't know what hit me,” explains 38 year-old heart attack survivor Kay Marie  Kortas.  “You just never know what is going to happen.”  Kay Marie takes the blood thinner Plavix®.  One parent teacher conference during her cycle created an “icky” situation.  “I planned ahead, had all of my backup supplies, and even wore black pants.  After sitting for 40 minutes, I stood up and felt as if a flood gate had opened.”  With her black pants hiding the result, she quickly said goodbye to the parents and tried to clean up in the bathroom, but it was a situation which just couldn't be handled and she needed to go home.

“I am not sure I could have worked outside the home when I was on Coumadin®.  There was no way to predict how bad the flow was going to be or how often I would have to go and change.” added Eliz.  “There isn't a feminine protection product on the market, or even combination of products, designed to handle that situation.”

“The flow after sitting can be amazing and the blood is so thin it doesn't absorb quickly enough.  Overnight flow is a problem as well.  I slept on a bed wetting pad when I was on Coumadin® and sleep on a towel now that I'm on Plavix® just to protect the sheets and mattress.”

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative, Eliz talks with doctors, nurses and other health professionals about menstruation and blood thinners and finds they are often surprised.  Even though it makes sense once the issue is brought up, it never occurred to them to address it with their patients.  Yet, the “Icky Period Problem” has a huge impact on the lives of women living on blood thinners.

Mellanie True Hills founder of the American Foundation for Women's Health added, “This is an area that doctors just need to know more about.  It is something that hasn't crossed most of their minds.” 

Kay Marie recalls her doctor's reaction when she brought up the “Icky Period Problem.”   

“He just said, 'It can't be that bad,'”  she laughs. “Not that bad?  I wouldn't be bringing it to your attention if it was just a couple more tampons than usual, but I'm going through almost a box a day.  That's bad.”  Kay Marie said after his nurse explained the situation, her doctor was much more sympathetic.  However, there isn't much he could do.  Blood thinners are a necessary part of her treatment.

Plan ahead and talk with your doctor if you experience the “Icky Period” Problem.

Tips for dealing with the “Icky Period” Problem:

Be Prepared:
Keep track of your cycle and keep supplies on hand.  Put together an emergency supply bag with extra products, underwear and pants to keep in your car and at your office. A towel or pad on your office chair, couch or mattress may save on embarrassment and clean up.

Plan Ahead:
If you have a choice, don't schedule the long meeting during the week your period is due.  If you have to be in a meeting, discreetly convey the need for regular breaks or for you to “sneak out” as needed.

Work your Abs:
As gross as it may sound, abdominal exercise may “squeeze out” some of your flow, leaving less to leak out during less opportune moments.  It may not work for everyone, but it is worth a try.

Stay in control:
One of the best ways to prevent overly “Icky Periods” is to keep your blood thinner level under control.  If you take Coumadin® or warfarin, be vigilant in keeping your monitoring appointments.  Get your thinness level checked if your flow is extreme as it may be a sign your blood is too thin.

Read more about the Patient's Perspective on Blood Thinners in the Patient's Perspective Magazine or  download the Special Report on the "Icky Period" problem.  You may also listen to the discussion on the "Icky Period Problem or the full conversation on blood thinners. 

Please share your thoughts on the "Icky Period" Problem or suggest topics for future Patient's Perspective calls by making a comment below. Thanks!

The Patient's Perspective is a monthly teleconference addressing the challenges faced by women living with heart disease.   The teleconferences are hosted by Eliz Greene, Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative. Find out more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com 

Goodbye, Blood Draw!

When she was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and placed on the blood thinning medication warfarin, Patty Borkowski began regular trips to the Anticoagulation Clinic at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She didn't realize her experience was different from that of other women on blood thinners.

A consistent and controlled blood thinner level is essential for a patient's health and safety. If the blood is too thin, there is the danger of excessive bleeding from small injuries or of internal bleeding.  Regular blood tests are required.  Yet, regular testing can be intrusive on a woman's lifestyle, especially when she is juggling a family and career as well as her health.

Patty is scheduled for a five-minute appointment at the anticoagulation clinic during which a very minimal amount of blood is drawn from a prick in one finger.  The blood goes into a machine, which produces results in forty-five seconds. 

A pharmacist is on hand to consult with her and make immediate adjustments to her dosage.  At the end of her visit, Patty receives a print-out with her INR number (International Normalized Ratio a measure the thinness of her blood), new warfarin dosage along with a number to call with any questions. 

The information, immediate results and access to an expert allows Patty to feel like she is in the driver's seat in her own health.  “It allows me to do what I can to be sensible and smart.”

“That sounds heavenly, compared to what most of us go through!” exclaimed  Mellanie True Hills, founder of the American Foundation for Women's Health. 

For most women, regular testing means getting to the lab during a small window of time in the morning, having a significant amount of blood drawn from the arm, and then waiting for a nurse to call with the results later in the afternoon.  The inconvenience often causes women not to be tested as often as they should.  The large blood draw causes bruising and the wait can waste precious time in resolving a problem.

Remarking on the importance of having a consistent INR level, Mellanie said, “It's great that you are getting that instant feedback and can make adjustments right away.”

In addition, to making testing more convenient, any time Patty sees a physician in the system she is reminded to call the anticoagulation clinic to discuss any new medication.

When recently diagnosed with pneumonia, Patty's warfarin dose was immediately cut in half based on the new medications she was prescribed.   “It never would have occurred to me to check in with the clinic.  It would have been a while until my next appointment and it isn't a pleasant thought to think what might have happened.”

“Just to be able to walk out of there with no questions and everything so thorough, and have it on the papers there for you – that's just amazing,” shared heart attack survivor Kay Marie Kortas.

According to Patty,  “It makes a  difference in everyday living.”

“Once we have our acute problem solved, we still have to live every day,”  said Eliz Greene.  “When our doctors and health care facilities can help us do that better, that's the real key. I lived on Coumadin® (a brand of warfarin) for two years and then was able to be put on Plavix®, which was a huge improvement just not having to go in and be tested.”

Read more about the Patient's Perspective on Blood Thinners in the Patient's Perspective Magazine or  download the Special Report on anticoagulation clinics.  You may also listen to the discussion on anticoagulation clinics or the full conversation on blood thinners. 

Please share your thoughts on anticoagulation clinics or suggest topics for future Patient's Perspective calls by making a comment below. Thanks!

The Patient's Perspective is a monthly teleconference addressing the challenges faced by women living with heart disease.   The teleconferences are hosted by Eliz Greene, Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative. Find out more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com 

What's In Your Wallet: Be prepared for injuries and emergencies

While blood thinning medication allows many women with heart disease to live productive lives, the risk of bleeding creates peril even from small cuts.

“I was told even shaving my legs was too risky while on Coumadin®,” Said Eliz Greene a heart attack survivor and host of the Patient's Perspective Teleconference presented by the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative. Since the blood is thinned, if injured patients run the risk of loosing large quantities of blood quickly, especially if the blood thinner level is too high.

“One of the most important things we can do is not only to have a plan, but to communicate it to our family members as well so they understand what to do if our Coumadin® levels are out of control or if we injure ourselves,” stated Mellanie True Hills, a heart disease survivor from Texas.

Kay Marie Kortas, a young survivor who lives alone, agrees. “I have Emergency Cards everywhere -- in my car, in my purse, in my gym bag, hanging on my refrigerator. I have even told my neighbor, 'hey look, it's on my fridge, if anyone needs to come to the house, you know where it is if I can't be of any help at the time.'  My family has it, my job has one in their emergency file and I also wear my medical bracelet even though I'm on Plavix, not Coumadin®.”

Emergency Information Card

Protect yourself by creating an emergency medical information card and printing it on brightly colored paper to make it easy to spot. 

Some items to include are:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Home address and phone number
• Your doctor's name and phone number
• Two emergency contacts with home, work and cell phone numbers
• A brief description of your medical condition and any significant medical history
• A list of you medications and dosages
• Any Allergies
• Insurance information

Carry copies of the card with you at all times.  Having multiple copies and placing them in different bags and locations makes this more convenient and consistent.  Post a copy on your refrigerator, and give copies to your family, friends, neighbors and employer.  It is now also possible to put your medical information on your I-Pod, PDA or other portable device.  The more places you have this information the more likely someone will find it in an emergency.

Having a plan worked well for Eliz when she cut her forehead last Winter.  “Because I had a plan, I immediately laid down, got ice on it, and once my husband came in and took a look, we headed to the doctor.”

In addition to being prepared for larger injuries, it helps to be prepared for the smaller cuts. 

“I also carry around a lot of Band Aids.   All different sizes because you never know what you'll need or how many you'll soak through before you stop bleeding,” shares Kay Marie.

“I was always so scared about the big gusher, but the thing I have found is it just won't stop.  It's not a huge amount of blood, but it doesn't stop,” said Eliz who also shared how an abnormal pap smear created an embarrassing situation.  “I had been off the Coumadin® for the requisite three days, but after the tiny biopsy of my cervix, it just wouldn't stop oozing.  It all turned out fine, thank goodness, but my ObGyn sat there with his finger on my cervix for forty-five minutes waiting for the thing to stop the bleeding.    You can't make conversation for that long in that position!”

Tips for dealing with injuries:

Make A Plan:
Keep an ice pack in your freezer.  Ice and direct pressure are essential to stop bleeding.  Create a plan to get help if you need it quickly.  Decide who you will call if you are at home, at work or on the road.  Determine the closest emergency room or urgent care center and make sure you have your medical information handy.  Don't assume you are fine after a fall or car accident.  Internal bleeding is a major concern for people on blood thinners.  Be safe and get checked out.

Share your plan:
Let your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers in on your emergency plan.  If you are unable to communicate what you need, they should know what to do and act quickly.

Be prepared for small cuts:
Carry bandages with you.  Ice and direct pressure will help stop the bleeding and prevent excessive bruising.

Wear medical jewelry: 
There are many very attractive styles of bracelets and charms available to alert someone of your medical condition.  Wearing such an item may save your life if you are unconscious and bleeding internally after a car accident, fall or other injury.

Be creative in avoiding injury: 
Use alternative to a razor for hair removal such as wax,  creams or electric shavers.  (Note: waxing may cause bruising, even bleeding, if your blood is very thin.) 

Use extreme caution when using kitchen knives and sharp utensils. 
Consider the wisdom of yard work and use of the associated tools.

Stay in control:
If you take Coumadin® or warfrin, be vigilant in keeping your monitoring appointments.  Get your thinness level checked if you experience unusual or unexplained bruising as it may be a sign your blood is too thin.

The Patient's Perspective is a monthly teleconference addressing the challenges faced by women living with heart disease.  “It is interesting how quickly we become experts in our own health when we are forced to do so,” says heart attack survivor Eliz Greene, the Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative and 
host of the Patient's Perspective.  “Having the opportunity to share our experiences and challenges is empowering.  Providing the information to other patients and to healthcare providers will make a difference in the day-to-day quality of life for women living with heart disease.”

Read more about the Patient's Perspective on Blood Thinners in the Patient's Perspective Magazine or  download the Special Report on Injury.  You may also listen to the discussion on injury or the full conversation on blood thinners. 

Please share your thoughts on managing injuries and emergencies while on blood thinners or suggest topics for future Patient's Perspective calls by making a comment below. Thanks!

The Patient's Perspective is a monthly teleconference addressing the challenges faced by women living with heart disease.   The teleconferences are hosted by Eliz Greene, Director of the Embrace Your Heart™ Wellness Initiative. Find out more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com