Is it possible to prepare for the possibility of a stroke, heart attack, or other disabling health incidents?

2017-10-06T14:06:06-04:00

Sometimes its hard not to wonder - "who would find me if I 'slipped' and would it be too late?".

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 6 at 2017 2:39 PM

2017-10-06T14:39:21-04:00

You mean kinda like what happened to Tom Petty having been found after he had a heart attack, but basically too late to help?

Hard to actively prepare for something like that, other than to do best by your health; eating right, exercising, etc. Maybe someday we'll all have Star Trek like personal health monitors that may foresee impending health crises and alert help. Technology can't be too far off.

We can give him hell, but in the long run though, we can't outrun the Reaper forever.

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Oct 6 at 2017 2:48 PM

2017-10-06T14:48:11-04:00

As someone who has died from a heart attack, happ8ly on the operating table, you can not realy prepare but if the threat is serous enough there are things like "Life Alerts 'that might help

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Oct 6 at 2017 3:13 PM

2017-10-06T15:13:35-04:00

My dad passed away this March from heart issues. So following his passing, I went to my local doctor and had a stress test. It came back that I have actually quite a healthy heart so that was great news (dad was a 45 year smoker). After turning 50, I did the colon thing as recommended and in addition to that, I'd recommend you get a stress test as well.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 6 at 2017 6:41 PM

2017-10-06T18:41:18-04:00

Well thinking ahead is usually the best preparation. Maintaining good diet and exercise is helpful. Planning for emergencies can be beneficial as well. If you're a runner, maybe consider running in a group or with a partner. I know I tend to enjoy the peace I get from running in solitude, but if something were to happen to me, I'd be alone without anyone to get me the assistance I might need. If you haven't already, consider taking classes in basic life saving techniques and CPR. Have the people you spend time with take the classes as well. After all, one of these days, your life could be in their hands.

Like any car, our bodies are built to fail. But that doesn't mean we can't get a good number of miles off it with a regular tuneup/oil change and some maintenance here and there as well as a trustworthy mechanic.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Oct 11 at 2017 6:21 AM

2017-10-11T06:21:00-04:00

There are apps on your smartphone that you can utilize for listing your meds and any illnesses or afflictions. They also have areas for your MD phone # too. You can also add some emergency numbers and list them under ICE - In Case of Emergency. But all that said you can never really prepare for a life altering emergency such as a heart attack or stroke. I had my first heart attack at 48 in August of 2000. Know the warning signs and be aware of them. I drove myself to the hospital when I had my first. Not the brightest idea but it did save my life.