Prepare Your Heart For The Hunt

Courtesy of John K. Everett, D.O. - Indian River Medical Center. It’s that time of year again. Thousands of people get up at the crack of dawn during firearm deer season to hunt down that big buck. And every year, media reports include stories of hunters suffering heart attacks while in the woods. If you’re not prepared, haven’t had a physical and haven’t exercised much in the year since the last hunt, you may be putting yourself at a risk of a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, hunters rarely consider that their sport is actually an athletic event and that the excitement and exertion take a toll on their bodies. Hunters should start training and conditioning months before they “perform”, but most don’t and their heart and circulatory system sometimes suffers the consequences. Like everyone else, hunters should have an annual checkup. “People should take a look at their major risk factors for heart disease regularly,” says John K. Everett, D.O. “Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and make sure that strenuous exercise is recommended.” Everett is a Family Practice physician who sees patients at the Indian River Medical Center. Everett is also an avid sportsman. “I love being out in the woods,” he stated. “But, I also know there are several precautions you have to take to be safe. It’s much more enjoyable when you’re healthy.” Smoking is another major risk factor for heart attack and heart disease. Other tips include avoiding a heavy breakfast before heading out into the woods and avoiding hunting alone. Bring a cell phone to reach emergency services if needed and tell friends or family your location and scheduled return. Other factors to consider helping reduce risk of suffering a heart attack include:

· Avoid drinking alcohol before going in the field.

· Layer your clothing. Remove as body heat rises with increased physical activity

· Weather conditions such as cold wind, deep snow, mud and even steep terrain place additional stress on the heart.



Warning signs of a heart attack are an uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back again. Also, the pain spreads to the shoulders, neck and arms and is often accompanied by lightheadedness, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath. Stroke is also a concern while hunting and its warning signs include a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, and a sudden dizziness and loss of coordination. Both heart attack and stroke are medical emergencies and 9-1-1 needs to be accessed immediately. Try staying active. This will not only help with physical fitness come deer season, but also with overall general health. Studies show that being physically fit lowers heart disease risk even in people who have other risk factors like high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Be careful out there, and be aware. Deer season can be a rush for many hunters. Hopefully, it’s not a rush to the ER! For more information, you can contact the Cardiac Wellness Center at the Cheboygan Memorial Health Center, (231) 627-1458, or, the American Heart Association (800) 968-1793. Dr. Everett’s office is located at the Indian River Medical Center, 6135 Cressy Street, Indian River and is part of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital. For physician referral, call (800)866-9196, or go to www.cheboyganhospital.org.