Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Feb 2010: Healthy Living Can Prevent the Development of Heart Disease

February is American Heart Month. National Go Red Day for women’s heart disease is Feb. 5. Both these events were created to call attention to the fact that more than 1.2 million people a year, in the United States alone, suffer from some kind of coronary event. Nearly a million of those cases end in death. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a man's disease, it is the leading cause of death for both women and men, and women account for 52.6 percent of deaths.

That’s the bad news about heart disease. The good news is that the factors that determine the risk of developing heart disease can usually be controlled by our own lifestyles.

According to the Center for Disease Control’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, the chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives —maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

The American Heart Association has compiled a list of ways to prevent heart disease, stroke and heart attack. The AHA asks the probing question: Why is coronary heart disease the single major cause of death in the U.S.? One reason, they conclude, is a lack of commitment to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle is not only the best defense against heart disease and stroke, it ’s also every individual’s personal responsibility. Following these simple steps can reduce all of the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke:

Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit. It ’s tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease than it is to quit smoking.

Choose good nutrition. A healthy diet is one of the best weapons available to fight cardiovascular disease. Choose nutrient-rich foods —which have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but are lower in calories —over nutrient-poor foods. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, fish, lean protein and

fat-free or low-fat dairy products is the key. And to maintain a healthy weight, coordinate your diet with your physical activity level so you're burning as many calories as you take in.

Reduce blood cholesterol. Fat lodged in your arteries is a disaster waiting to happen. You must reduce your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and get moving. If diet and physical activity alone don ’t get those numbers down, then medication may be the key.

Be physically active every day. Research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep your weight at a healthy level. But something is better than nothing, Even 10 minutes at a time may offer some health benefits.

Aim for a healthy weight. Obesity is an epidemic in America, not only for adults but also for children. Fad diets and supplements are not the answer. Good nutrition, controlling calorie intake and physical activity are the only way to maintain a healthy weight.

Manage diabetes. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related death. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Reduce stress. Some scientists have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person ’s life. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would.

Limit alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and lead to heart failure or stroke. A safe average is one drink for women or two drinks for men per day. l

Shake and Shimmy

for Heart Health,

February 23

memorial hermann

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. This year, eight times as many women will die from heart attacks than from breast cancer. Unfortunately, many women do not know their risk for heart disease. Even more women do not know that heart attack symptoms for females can be different than those for males.

To give women the information they need to significantly reduce their risk for heart disease, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital will host its third annual “Shake and Shimmy Your Way to a Healthier Heart” on Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event, which is part of the hospital ’s bimonthly Girls’ Night Out, is a fun and educational night to learn about heart disease from a local cardiologist and to shake and shimmy with Tamara, a professional belly-dancer.

For women, the risk of heart disease increases when they reach menopause. Both women and men are at a higher risk if they have a family member who had heart disease at an early age. Individuals with existing heart or blood vessel disease are also at higher risk as are African-Americans and Hispanics/Latinos.

While there’s little you can do about genetics and family history, there is plenty you can do to lower your risk of heart disease.

Learn more about women and heart disease at “Shake and Shimmy.” To register, call 713-222-CARE (2273).

In a Cardiac Emergency,

There’s Only One Thing You

Need to Know - Methodist.

methodist sugar land hospital

Methodist is a leader in heart care. In keeping with this legacy, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has created a cardiac rapid response team of experienced heart care experts.

Within minutes, this team quickly stabilizes heart attack patients to restore blood flow and minimize the amount of damage to the heart. Methodist Sugar Land —the first hospital in Fort Bend County to routinely exceed national standards for rapid response. That saves lives.

If you experience any of the following, come to the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Emergency Department:

•Chest pain or pressure (may radiate down your arm)

•Shortness of breath

•Nausea, vomiting and/or severe indigestion

•Breaking out into a cold sweat

They provide complete cardiac care in a single, leading edge facility with a level of cardiovascular expertise that is unmistakably Methodist —when and where you need it most.

Ask your physician to refer you to the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Heart Center or call 281-274-7500 for a Physician Referral.

Treating Blocked Arteries...

Without Knifes

ECP CENTER OF TEXAS

PETER CHANG, M.D., PH.D.

External counterpulsation therapy (ECP) is a new, FDA-approved, non-invasive, highly effective, low risk and painless treatment for angina and coronary artery disease. ECP has been proven to be as effective as bypass surgery, angioplasty and stents in most patients. It is extremely safe and without any of the risks or recovery time associated with surgery.

ECP is one of those rare amazing medical treatments, which is highly effective yet with minimal side effects. It ’s offered by leading medical centers including Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School. ECP is particularly suited for those with chronic angina, those who are not ideal candidates for surgery due to age or excessively high risk, and those with small or diffuse disease that cannot be fixed with angioplasty or surgery. ECP is covered by most insurance plans including Medicare. Dr. Chang is a board-certified cardiologist who was the first one in Houston to offer ECP and has treated more patients with ECP than any other ECP centers in Houston.

4126 Southwest Freeway at Weslayan

832-203-1174; www.ecpcentertx.com

Health Expo and 5k Run

for Cancer Survivors

Total Body Expo

Runners and walkers know what’s good for their heart health. And they’ll have a chance to strap on their running shoes for the Pink Door 5K Legacy Walk/Run coming to the Stafford Convention Centre on March 20, helping to raise money for women cancer survivors.

And if you’re not a runner, you can still be a part of the weekend’s festivities. The race is held in conjunction with Total Body Expo, held March 19 and March 20, also at the Stafford Convention Centre. This health expo showcases Houston ’s best in health, wellness and beauty.

To register for the race, visit www.active.com and type in the keywords “Pink Door.” You can sign up for the 5K Competitive Run or the Non-competitive 5K Family and Cancer Survivor Walk ($25 if you sign up before March 15; and $35 on race day), or the Kids ’ K for ages 12 and under ($10 until March 15; $15 on race day). Cancer survivors pay only $20.

For more information, visit www.pinkdoornonprofit.org or www.totalbodyexpo.net.

Enjoy the Outdoors

While You Train!

Primal Gym

Primal Gym promotes health and fitness in an outdoor setting through strength training, cardio techniques, nutritional strategies and lifestyle habits.

Strength Training: Primal Gym offers effective exercises that mimic human movement. Squats, lifts, pushes, pulls, rotations and lunges create the foundation of the strength program.

Cardio Training: The goal is elevated fat-burning for hours following cardio activity rather than maintaining the mythical “fat burning zone” during cardio activity. Interval cardio forces your body to work harder, requires a longer recovery period and metabolizes stored body fat well beyond the end of the cardio session.

Nutritional Strategies: Proper nutrition is just as important as both strength and cardio training combined. Your macronutrients are the key to building and fueling your body transformation, sports performance and general vitality.

Lifestyle Habits: Primal Gym encourages attention to all life components: career, family, financial, spiritual and physical. Maximizing your investment in training and nutrition requires a balanced lifestyle.

Learn more by visiting primalgym.com or calling 832-978-7200. Individual training and small group training are available to keep the training sessions personalized.