Hello friends, well its that time of year when we think of friends and family. It's also the time of year we go afield to participate in the traditional hunting seasons. That tells me,"Tis the season to have a heart attack.
We all have reard or know at least one story of someone just going afield, all smiles, but leave on a stretcher, cold and lifeless. Don't take chances, hhave your doctor examine you prior to the hunting season. A high majority of hunters go into the woods and fields oblivious tothe fact that they are out of shape. They didn't get rid of those extra pounds and did no type of exercise to strenghten their heart and body. They are walking (or rolling) time bombs. There is extra stress on your heart this time of year. The cold weather and freezing wind sap your strength and energy fast. The freezing wind hitting you in the face involuntarily restricts how much air you take in. Combine these things with walking on uneven ground, up hills and steep grades. For some, its the most activity they have done in months. That's when it hits. That dull pain in the chest, maybe running down the arm (especially the left) you start sweating, maybe your jaw hurts or you have a sharp pain in your back. You are most likely having some type of "cardiac event". The catch all phrase for a heart problem. You may get lucky and live. Maybe. Others, who say they feel great and are fit as a fiddle usually don't get the warnings. They just have a massive heart attack and die on the spot.
Some of you may say"a friend of mine has heart problems and does fine out here."Yes, he does. Know why? He or she has had previous heart problems. Sometimes many problems. The difference is in the way the body responds to its signals. in a fairly healthy person, many die from that first (and last) attack. The person with heart troubles knows what is happening and takes medication they are carrying. They sometimes even walk out of the woods. Its those signals, remember? The healthy guys heart is not "conditioned" as the other fellow with heart problems is. When it struck his body and brain sent signals, somethings wrong, time to shut down. It does and they die fast and unexpectadly. The heart patient, on the other hand, his body sends different signals than that first guy. It says another heart problem, time to adjust the flow to certain areas and organs. The rest of his body actually knows, is conditioned from ongoing problems. He wil usually live. That may sound a bit strange, but thats what happens in layman's terms.
When you head afield, let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back. Go with a buddy if you can. Bring a cell phone or two way radio. You may be able to call for assistance. Bring heart meds with you. Have aspirin with you. when you think you are having an attack, chew one sand swallow. It may save your life. Carry a loud sgnaling device. I carry a whistle and a small compressed air horn that can give about sixty 1 second blasts.
The best thing to do is prevention. get a check up. Tone your body, trim that weight.
I have barely scratched the surface. Go online and learn what else you can do. Your loved ones and friends want to celebrate the holidays with you. They don't want to visit you in the hospital, or worse, the funeral parlor. Take care of yourself!

Mark

Gezzzzzz,Mark. Now I'm affraid to go in the woods. :rolleyes: .........J/K
But very good advice, thanks.
Kenny

Here's something I saw on the news today to add. Seems hunters also get heart attacks and/or irregular heartbeats from adrenaline. that anticipation and excitement of see or bagging a big one makes that adrenaline flow. Seems there are more heart attacks in the woods from this than previously known. you may not die of a heart attack caused by adrenaline, but if it causes irregular beats or heart rhythms you can be in serious trouble. The heart beats not being able to pump enough blood to keep your body oxygenated. Nasty.
They didn't give any advice on how to prevent it from happening. How could they? That rush is one of the best parts of hunting. The excitement, anticipation the feeling of joy . Personally, I say they can stuff this one. I know I'm not going to worry about this aspect at least.
Still, they said you are three times more at risk of dying from a heart problem in the woods than getting shot. Bah! Humbug!

Excellent advice Mark :ThumbsUp: Everybody be safe!

Don

So Doctor Long Finger, how do I train for this one?, High DOLLAR Hooker maybe :)

RX: Take two aspirin and go and shout at somebody in the morning. :D :)

Hah. I went to the doctors last year and told the doctor I was having chest pains and dizzy and pain down my arm..He said oh, Have a heart attack?
I said no thanks, I already had one... :D :ROFL:

:ROFL: That one just kills me.... :yahoo:

Leep out:

:o :IAgree: It literally will kill you!!! :ROFL:

Mark

I lost 19# while I was in the Hospital and rehab. But that is a program I wouldn't recomend to any one.

Dying of a heat attack while sitting on a stump in the deer woods is the way I would want to go. Especially if I had just shot a 10 pointer. It's got to be better than dying while shoveling snow

But I do agree getting checked and taking it easy may allow you to hunt another season.

Sure Chuck, if I had to go I'd rather it happen in the woods than anywhere else. Always said if I can, I'd drag myself there if I knew It was my time.

Mark

Thought I was close to it 2 weeks ago. :dunno:
Kenny

That's Right

I remember that story.

That was close. Glad you made it through that one.

Hmmm, I lost about 5-6 pounds just this morning...... well didn't really lose it, I know where it went. :ROFL:

:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :rolleyes:

:o Problem with that is you'll refill it awfull fast! :ROFL: :ROFL:

Mark

Yes this may be true but in no way is it even close to your capabilities :ROFL: :ROFL:

Heck, Fred Sanford had heart attacks all the time and he was fine...Course if I had to look at Aunt Esther's mug all the time, I'd probably have a few myself... :D

Leep: