A study published in the July 2007 issue of The American Journal of Medicine found that people 45 to 64 years of age who added healthy lifestyle behaviors could substantially reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Once these people achieved 4 healthy behaviors, eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables daily, exercising at least 2.5 hours per week, maintaining their Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30 kg/m, and not smoking, investigators saw a 35% reduction in CVD incidence and a 40% reduction in mortality compared to people with less healthy lifestyles.

So how many of you are willing to make that change? Honestly, be real, do you have what it takes? The same study showed that less than 9% of people over the age of 40 attempt to change their lifestyle even after knowing the benefits.

It’s hard to kick it into high gear with all of our daily responsibilities, but don’t you think it is worth it? Get your big ol’ backside moving and make that change, I will do it with you. Being a diabetic, I exercise regularly and eat semi-healthy, but let’s start a “fat blogging” exercise type club. I will share my results and progress with you, and a few of my shameful stories, and y’all share with me. Come on, it’ll be fun. Whatcha think? Deal?

Post from: Blisstree

Your Healthy Lifestyle Change Could Be More Beneficial Then You Think

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that heart patients who stopped taking these three drugs are three times more likely to die during the next year than patients who followed their prescribed regimen. One out of eight heart-attack patients, who were more likely to be older, single, and less educated, quit taking their meds within a month. Two of the main reasons patients don’t take their medication properly are:

• Cost
• Lack of explanation from their doctors

Even President Bill Clinton was a non-compliant heart patient:

Former President Clinton — a younger, married and well-educated patient — was prescribed a statin for high cholesterol when he left office. But he stopped taking it at some point. At age 58, he had to have quadruple bypass surgery because of severely clogged arteries that doctors said put him in danger of a heart attack.

When you get a new prescription from your doctor, make sure you understand what it’s for and what will happen if you miss a dose or more. Here are some questions to ask your doctor.

The Mercury News, October 2, 2006

Post from: Blisstree

Heart Attack Patients Need Their Medication

I don’t drink or smoke and I exercise daily (either pilates or on the treadmill). I taught pilates for years so this is usually what I do when I am watching TV. I listen to podcasts when I run.

I don’t eat as healthfully as I used to, but I’m breaking one bad habit at a time now. Maybe soon can get off of Diet Coke (it’s my worse habit right now)… I am careful to take my vitamins/supplements daily and I try to make sure my diet is balanced 40-30-30, but it rarely is. I try to eat whole foods when at all possible.

Like Jeremy I make sure I don’t sit for more than an hour at a time on the PC. My short attention span helps here… I also spend every morning at a coffee shop to write and to recharge my batteries.

Wow, a teacher of pilates! I’m not even sure if I’m capable of being a student.

Post from: Blisstree

Hearty Habits #21: A Mother’s Secret

Deputy Coroner Robert Barrett said Beatrice Vance’s symptoms should have alerted hospital personnel to administer an electrocardiogram, conduct cardiac monitoring, and administer blood thinners and other medications. None of this was done in time. The coroner’s jury ruled Ms. Vance’s death a homicide.

There are two issues at stake here. One, was Beatrice Vance’s symptoms belittled because she was a woman? Many studies have found that women receive a lower quantity and quality of cardiac healthcare.

Two, Ms. Vance and her daughter, Monique, probably should have called an ambulance when they decided she needed medical attention. Emergency medical technicians have the training and equipment to give immediate treatment for heart attacks. If at any time you experience the symptoms of a heart attack, call an ambulance. Do NOT drive yourself to the hospital.

Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2006
Photo credit: PingNews.com

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Woman Dies of Heart Attack in ER Waiting Room

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Healthy Eating, Diet, and Fitness Blog Carnival at IateApie.net

Dr. Wes: Perfecting Social Graces

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Heart Disease or Cancer? You Choose

via Problogger

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A Hearty Life Seal

He received his first cardiovascular work-up on August 19th after the Red Sox were defeated 13-5 by the New York Yankees. And again on Monday before they lost to the Oakland A’s.

Drugs, including anabolic steroids, can cause heartbeat irregularities, but people should not jump to that conclusion because there are many possible causes, [Dr. Michael A.] Coady said. Stress and overtraining can also make the heart beat unevenly.

As miserable as they already are (and my husband’s one of them), Red Sox fans can’t be happy to hear this.

Rhode Island News, BBC Sport, August 30, 2006

Post from: Blisstree

Red Sox Star David Ortiz in Hospital for Irregular Heartbeat

Whether the preference for angioplasty is good for the patients of Elyria is open to medical debate. The cardiology group’s leader says the high rate of angioplasties is simply a function of his doctors’ detecting disease more often in their patients than physicians elsewhere might spot, and being quicker to intervene.

With heart disease being the number one killer in industrialized countries, cardiac healthcare easily earns doctors money which could be a motivating force for them to suggest stents. What’s worse, Dr. Harlan M. Krumholz, a cardiologist and professor at Yale, says there are no systems by which doctors can assess whether they are performing on par or at odds with their colleagues nation- or worldwide.

Unfortunately, the NY Times article doesn’t offer any solutions. I think patient empowerment is part of the answer here. Jason Bobe tells me that there are online communities planned where patients will be able to share symptoms, treatment plans, and success rates with one another. But are all-knowing doctors willing to listen? One can only hope.

Post from: Blisstree

More Angioplasty Heart Surgeries in Elyria, Ohio

I’ve been cycling for as long as I can remember. When I was at University I used to cycle everywhere – to class, to the shops, swimming everything. Now that I live in Guernsey which is quite a small island, it makes sense to cycle most places. Public transport here is pretty good and quite cheap, but to be honest I’ve never been much of a one for getting driven places. I do have a car (and a motorbike) but getting to and from work takes about the same time
whether I’m driving or cycling. I’m passionate about creating as little impact on the environment as possible, so cycling is not only good for my fitness but also decreasing my contribution to pollution.
It’s about 9 miles a day but I’m lucky in that I have a shower at work so I can just roll out of bed, cycle to work and get showered and changed there. Plus, the cycle in is quite invigorating, I always find I’m much more awake after the cycle in.

I also surf a lot, every day if there are waves. Surfing is one of the most intensive sports I’ve ever done, it seems to exercise pretty much every muscle in your body at the same time as giving you a full cardiovascular workout. I’m not sure how I find the energy after the cycling, but it seems to come naturally.

As for cricket, I wouldn’t say it’s a strenuous sport, but then it really depends what you’re doing. If you’re out in the field, then it’s often a case of short bursts of energy – e.g., sprinting. But you can be out in the field for hours at a time, so it’s physically and mentally tiring. If you’re batting, then again, there are short (22 yard) sprints as well as trying to maintain a concentration. So overall it’s a pretty good workout.

Sounds like Matt would fit right into healthy California. Maybe if he were here, I’d feel a little more motivated. I’ll just walk a little faster at the mall later today.

By the way, today is b5media’s Science and Health Channel Theme Day celebrating summer and Grace at Flu Patrol is our host! Go see what everyone else is doing this summer to stay healthy and smart.

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Hearty Habits #10: Exercise!