Sunday, January 27, 2008

Women and Heart Disease


Yes, I have knitted three more hats. Yes, I am half way to my goal.

This series, I used the cable knit cap pattern found on http://www.headhuggers.org/. Like the other hats I used a size 10 ½” needle and knitted with two strands of yarn. The yarn was given to me by my mother who was feng shui’ing (my term) otherwise known as cleaning out her odds and ends yarn for a good cause.

These past two weeks have been filled with worry. Two of my co-workers ended up with visits to the emergency room; both with similar diagnosis – high blood pressure. Not that high blood pressure is contagious, but it does make me concern since they sit next to me. My family history isn’t pretty – filled with heart disease and strokes. My Dad had open heart surgery in his fifties.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute coronary heart disease is the number one killer of American women regardless of race or ethnicity. One in four adults has high blood pressure; however 31.6% don’t know they have it. Untreated high blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes and serious heart disease.

Sadly, high blood pressure doesn’t have signs or symptoms or bells or whistles alerting you. So it is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by a health professional. This is one medical procedure that is painless, fast and you don't have to take off any clothes.

Several have suggested that I increase my goal. I will get back to you all on that idea.

1 comment:

Sandy said...

I have 4 hats I think would be appropiate in size for kids to teenagers.

Looking around the net tonight to determine where to send.

Please contact me if you're in need. Your blog hasn't been updated since January, so a bit unsure of the status.

Sandy