Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

by | Jun 6, 2023 | Uncategorized

Recently we attended our 8-year-old grandson’s Little League baseball game and came across this amazing sign. It has life lessons for all of us.
Reminders from Your Child –

I’m a kid.
It’s just a game.
My coach is a volunteer.
The officials are human.
No college scholarships will be handed out today.
If you would like to change something…volunteer.

Hillside Little League (Omaha, Nebraska)

It made me think about how we all handle the stressors of our daily lives. Do we overreact or do we try and remain calm? A great quote from the book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed:

So, if you want to become the kind of person your child wants to be around after the big game, act more like a grandparent…Grandparents don’t criticize or micromanage in the moments after the game…. critique the coach’s strategy or referee’s call. Even in the face of embarrassing failures on the field, grandparents support their grandchildren.

What a great quote that avoids overreactions and is good for heart health.

Years ago, our son’s Pony League coach literally yelled at the officials whenever he perceived a bad call or when his son made an error on the field. I wasn’t surprised when a few years later he died from a massive heart attack in his 40’s.

An angry response or emotional reaction raises blood pressure to dangerous levels which damage the arteries and organs throughout the body leading to heart attacks, strokes, dementia and kidney damage.

So, the next time you have a situation that induces a great amount of anger, take a time out and go for a walk, deep breathe or say a prayer. Don’t count to 10…count to 1,000.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

Reference:

Jessica Lahey, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed (2015).

Jennie Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015).

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

by | May 9, 2023 | Uncategorized

Whether it be a tornado, hurricane, flood, fire, or manmade disaster; dangers await just around the corner. Are you ready with survival kit supplies? The American Red Cross provides a great deal of information. The following cover only the basics.

  1. Water: 1 gallon per person/day (3-day supply for evacuation or 2 week supply for home).
  2. Food: easy to prepare, non-perishable (3-day supply for evacuation/2 weeks for home).
  3. Flashlight
  4. Battery powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible).
  5. Extra batteries.
  6. First Aid Kit.
  7. Medications and medical supplies (for 7 days).
  8. Multipurpose tool and manual can opener.
  9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
  10. Copies of personal documents:
    a. Medication list, pertinent information, proof of address, deed/lease to home
    b. Passports, birth certificates, insurance policies.
  11. Cell phone with chargers.
  12. Family and emergency contact information.
  13. Extra cash.
  14. Emergency blanket.
  15. Map(s) of the area.
  16. Hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.
  17. Baby bottles, formula, food, diapers, etc.
  18. Games and activities for children.
  19. Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl).
  20. Two-way radios and extra set of car and house keys.

Visit the American Red Cross for additional supply items. May God keep you safe and prepared for any future disaster.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail (Benjamin Franklin).

Resources:

 “Survival Kit Supplies,” The American National Red Cross (2023). https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

by | Apr 12, 2023 | Uncategorized

Recently, the news was filled with a great deal of stress and sadness. It’s a good time to check your blood pressure. Adrenalin surges from stress damage the inside lining of the arteries leading to heart and kidney disease, strokes, blindness and dementia.  Most people can’t feel it!

You can tell how you’re handling stress by checking your blood pressure at home. I recommend an automatic blood pressure machine that fits around your arm and plugs into power. You can find one online or at any pharmacy.

First, create a log with columns for date, time, first and second set of numbers. It’s helpful to have a column for unusual events such as whether you were under stress, consumed a salty meal or alcohol.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. Anything higher than 130-139/80-89 is considered too high and begins to cause damage.

Sit in a chair with your back against it, feet on the floor and arm resting on a table. Sit quietly for 5 minutes than push the button. Record the blood pressure and pulse rate. Repeat the process in 3 minutes and record those numbers.

Do this in the morning before coffee or smoking and again at night before bed. It’s best to do this for 2 weeks, but one week will do. Give your doctor this information before each blood pressure follow-up visit.

If you’re having a stressful moment…stop and record the numbers. It will give you an indication of how your body is reacting to stress. Some people are fine until they are under stress. You may need a medication or lifestyle strategy to protect your heart during those bursts of adrenaline.

Eating a healthier diet lower in salt helps. The chemicals in fruits and vegetables naturally lower blood pressure. Exercise of any kind, reducing caffeine, smoking and weight also help.

Even if you do all these things your blood pressure may remain high. Your doctor may prescribe medications to protect your heart, brain and kidneys. Most have minimal if any side effects and are inexpensive.

Deep breathing and prayer help to put the fires out in an anxious heart. May God bless you as another day of traumatic news and daily annoyances may come upon us.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

Reference:

“Monitoring your Blood Pressure at Home,” (2023), American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home.

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Natural Immunity and Reinfection Rates for COVID-19

Natural Immunity and Reinfection Rates for COVID-19

by | Mar 6, 2023 | COVID-19 Top Ten

The journal Lancet recently on 2/16 reported the results of a review study that examined the COVID-19 reinfection rates based on the four variant waves: Wuhan, Alpha, Delta and Omicron. Many ask, “How do I know which one I had?”

Wuhan exploded in March 2020, Alpha toward the end of 2020, Delta in early 2021, Omicron in early 2022

The study “Past SARS-Co-2 Infection Protection Against Re-infection: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis” examined 65 studies from 19 countries done between the initial outbreak through September 31, 2022.

It’s important to understand that a review is a summary of many studies. The researchers use statistical techniques to compare different methods. It’s like comparing apples to oranges to strawberries. They’re all fruit but each one has its own different characteristics. The review is important but not as accurate as looking at a single randomly controlled trial.

The researchers examined studies to determine if a previous COVID infection protected a person from a second one. They found that Natural Immunity reduced re-infection by: Wuhan, Alpha and Delta by 78.6% and Omicron by 36.1% after 40 weeks. They wondered if the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant may have explained the lower effectiveness.

Further, the Natural immunity from a previous infection remained high after 40 weeks reducing severe disease for Wuhan, Alpha, and Delta by 90.2% and Omicron by 88.9%.

  Our analysis suggests that the level of protection from past infection by variant and          over time is at least equivalent if not greater than that provided by two-dose mRNA vaccines.

They called for healthcare providers and governments to reexamine the role that Natural Immunity plays in COVID-19 prevention strategies such as vaccines, therapies and protocols. May God bless them with wisdom to do so…

Resources:
COVID-19 Forecasting Team, “Past SARS-Co-2 Infection Protection Against Re-infection: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis,” (February 16, 2023), Lancet. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)02465-5/fulltext

Kathy Katella, “Omicron, Delta, Alpha and More: What to Know about Coronavirus Variants” (February 3, 2023), Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-variants-of-concern-omicron

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

The Collapse of Damar Hamlin

The Collapse of Damar Hamlin

by | Feb 4, 2023 | Uncategorized

February 4, 2023, Jennie Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Living for a Healthy Heart, LLC

Recently the nation was shocked when a healthy elite professional football player collapsed during an NFL game into full cardiac arrest. Thankfully, he is recovering but questions remain regarding the cause.

While congenital abnormalities are certainly a possibility; it’s unlikely. NFL players undergo extensive medical screenings before signing with a team.

Some physicians have described his problem as Commotio Cordis which is a rare condition that usually occurs in young males with growing thinner chest walls who are under 20 years old with an average age of 15. Most commonly, either a small, sharp baseball, lacrosse ball, hockey puck or punch straight to the chest during a vulnerable part of the heart cycle disrupts the rhythm leading to a complete cardia arrest.  

Others have wondered whether he had a myocarditis secondary to a vaccine reaction or an aftermath of Long COVID? While COVID vaccines are no longer required by the NFL, 95 % of players have received it. No information was provided regarding his vaccination status. There has been an increase in myocarditis among young men around the world following a COVID vaccine.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death. Complete rest is indicated while the inflammation subsides. It may occur with minimal symptoms which may explain the increase in sudden deaths that were observed around the world in 2022.

The symptoms of myocarditis are:

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Chest pain
  • Hard, rapid or irregular heart beats
  • Dizziness
  • Flu like symptoms

Treatment for mild cases is rest and medications. More severe cases may require lifelong medications, implantable devices or surgery. Competitive sports or severe exertion should be avoided until the inflammation subsides.

Damar is a warning to all of us to take a moment during February Heart Month to examine how well we’re caring for our hearts. The American Heart Association and my book are a tremendous resource for more information, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke.

Resources:

Cleveland Clinic, “Commotio Cordis”, January 1, 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24572-commotio-cordis.

Mike Gavin, Associated Press, “Latest NFL Rules on COVID, Fan Vaccinations Plus Cases”, August 3, 2022. https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/latest-nfl-rules-covid-fan-vaccinations-and-positive-cases.

American Heart Association, “Myocarditis” September 27, 2022, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/myocarditis.

Health Feedback, “What Can Explain the Excess Mortality in the US and Europe in 2022?” December 6, 2022. https://healthfeedback.org/what-can-explain-the-excess-mortality-in-the-u-s-and-europe-in-2022/

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023,

Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.