If it’s February it’s all about matters of the heart. ‘My Heart and Me’ was the interesting topic at last month’s Stonecroft meeting held at the Methodist Church in Shelly Beach.
Speaker, Joan Darcy, a former nurse, said after tuberculosis and diabetes, heart disease was the third biggest killer of women in South Africa.
“While classic heart attack symptoms such as chest pain apply to both men and women – women are more likely to experience less common symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, back pain or sweating. And they are more likely to have a heart attack when resting than when exerting themselves,” explained Joan.
The average heart beats up to 100 000 times a day and pumps five litres of oxygenated blood through 60 000 miles of blood vessels in the body’s circulatory system. “Your heart is just bigger than your fist and weighs between 200 and 425 grams. Women’s hearts beat about six times faster than those of men at an average of 60 to 100 beats a minute.”
Joan said women often ignored the effects emotional stress or depression had on their well-being. “Smoking and vaping create a bigger heart risk to women than men, and menopause and pregnancy are also contributing factors as they can increase blood pressure – normal BP is 120/80. High BP can cause strokes as well as heart disease. It is important to maintain a healthy diet and physical activity to prevent cardio problems. Look after your heart – it is an amazing organ.”
Dianne Starr, who runs a home for 80 children, said it was as important to look after the spiritual heart as the physical one.
“Stress from grief causes heartache that can be as painful as a heart attack. And often all we want to do is curl up, cry and ask: Why me?”
Thirty years ago Diane learned that forgiveness was the only way to heal her broken heart. An intoxicated ambulance driver caused a motor car accident that claimed the life of her husband. She found out where he worked and confronted him by saying ‘I forgive you’. When she uttered the words she was spiritually healed.
Twenty years later Dianne was asked to lead prison ministry workshops. “It took two years before we could get in Westville Women’s Prison where we found 42 women with hardened hearts. Through God’s grace they too have learned that forgiveness is the key. What the world needs now is a change of heart.”
Guests were entertained with beautiful music provided by flautist, Di Evans and pianist Bonga Khusi and they enjoyed a tasty tea offered by the church’s women’s auxillary.
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