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Doctor's Senior Exercise
and Health Newsletter
Last updated: 12/25/06
The monthly Doctor’s Senior Exercise
and Health Newsletter is written solely for information to help seniors,
baby boomers and anyone else who have an interest in staying healthy,
living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. The
newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to
more extensive material on the Internet.
Click here
to subscribe or unsubscribe
Current Issue
Back Issues
Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health
Newsletter
November 1, 2007
Issue Vol. 7 No.
11
Each
month we offer special deals on our Website: www.doctorsexercise.com
In This Newsletter
Introduction
Healthfully Yours
Health Hints
Introduction***
The Doctor’s
Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for
information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an
interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and
combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of
medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered
strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we
recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare
professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the
proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of
useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You
may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend,
neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it.
This newsletter is scanned for viruses and is virus-free before it
is sent to recipients!
PLEASE feel free
to offer any suggestions you might have as to how we can improve this
newsletter. Should you wish to contribute anything that may be useful to
our subscribers we will consider printing it with your name, or without
it if you so desire. Send to:
doc1@gate.net
PLEASE visit our
Website:
http://www.doctorsexercise.com
How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe: Send your
email address with subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject box to the
e-mail address below:
E-Mail Address:
doc1@gate.net
Healthfully Yours***
Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease has been on the
rise. When we speak of cardiovascular disease or a heart attack, we
generally would assume that we were referring to a man. This is no
longer a man’s disease, as women have statistically reached mans
figures, and in fact are now surpassing them. Much has been written
about what in many cases can be a silent killer. Literally thousands of
pages can be found on the Internet referring to this disease. This
newsletter will attempt to come to the “Heart” of the matter and alert
those that may be in danger. It is astounding as to how many people are
unaware that they are carrying a ticking time bomb that can snuff their
lives out in a “heartbeat”. Many individuals are symptom-less even
though they may have one or more risk factors that can be making them a
candidate for a heart attack or stroke. Knowing your risk factors is key
to maintaining good heart health. More on these risk factors later in
the health hints. below.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) starts with
narrowing of the blood vessels that lead to the heart. This narrowing
prevents the heart from receiving enough blood, much like stepping on a
garden hose when watering your lawn. The blood carries the oxygen that
is needed by the heart itself, and also to send it out to all parts of
the body’s organs and tissues. When there is CAD, the heart will be
deprived of enough blood, and thus enough oxygen to satisfy its’ normal
requirements, and the heart responds with various types of symptoms.
Usually the initial symptom is pain. This is the heart saying it needs
help. These symptoms can be manifested in many ways. The pain can start
with a mild pain and build to a severe pain, usually referred to as
“ANGINA”. These pains can be described as:
1.
A sharp stabbing pain.
2.
A squeezing sensation. It feels as if someone is tightening a
rope around your chest.
3.
A burning sensation that feels as if the inside of your chest is
on fire.
4.
A feeling of pressure as if someone is sitting on your chest.
If the pain lasts only a few seconds it probably is
not angina.
In each individual the pain can be
manifested and react in various scenarios. The pain can radiate to:
- It can be sharp and under the breast bone
(sternum)
- It can radiate into the left shoulder.
- It can radiate into the mid-back.
- It can radiate into the neck.
- It can radiate into lower left jaw.
- It can radiate down the left arm.
The pains can manifest as a combination of some or
all of the above.
Pains can be brought on by a variety of factors,
but only if the risk factors are present in the individual.
- Strenuous activities, such as heavy
exercising, engaging in sports, occupation, etc.
- Environment can be a factor. Exposure to cold
can be a factor. A good example would be a combination of a
strenuous activity in cold weather, such as shoveling snow, skiing,
running, etc.
- Stress can prove to be a most important factor
in causing angina. Stress will precipitate a rise in blood pressure
causing this additional pressure needed so that the blood can be
pushed through one or more already occluded blood vessels.
Health Hints***
We mentioned there are risk factors that every
individual should be aware of. If the person is aware that they have
these risk factors, they of course should take the proper cautions to
minimize their chances of getting cardiovascular disease, heart attack
or stroke. The following risk factors are really wake-up calls to get
your attention.
- Your family history is extremely important. If
mother, father, sister or brother had cardiovascular disease, you
need to be particularly vigilante.
- Race can be a factor. For Example: African
American or Native American is susceptible to high blood pressure.
Those from eastern European regions can be prone to high
cholesterol.
- Age is another factor. As we grow older there
are more things that can go wrong.
- High blood pressure causes undue strain on the
heart. Have you blood pressure checked monthly. If it shows an
elevation, check it at least weekly. You can also use a blood
pressure machine at home. Having a blood pressure unit at home will
make it more feasible to check your blood pressure more often. If
the problem persists you should see your healthcare provider as soon
a possible.
- Elevated cholesterol and trigliceride blood
levels cause athersclerosis, that is a factor in narrowing or
occluding blood vessels. You should know your cholesterol and
trigliceride levels. Have them checked at your healthcare provider
and be sure you discuss it with him/her, and be sure to ask when it
should be checked again.
- Being overweight places undue stress on the
heart. More blood is needed for this extra fat and the heart works
harder to supply it.
- Elevated blood glucose is a precursor of
diabetes. If you already have diabetes, you can develop or already
have peripheral vascular disease.
- Diet is extremely important. You are what you
eat-basically.
- Do you use the saltshaker on all your food?
Remove it from the table and get used to it.
- Alcohol in excess is risk factor. Normal
drinking, 2 per day for men and one for women can be a plus and
actually be beneficial in cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Smoking is of course a no-no! If you
smoke-STOP!
- Do you have stress in your daily living or
where you work? Try to address this problem by doing anything you
can to improve it.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Are you a “couch potato”?
An exercise program is one of the most important deterrents for the
prevention of cardiovascular disease. Don’t stop at exercising
alone. You must start moving and being active in all aspects of your
daily living. Walk instead of driving. Use the stairs when possible
instead of the elevator. Well, you get the picture.
Knowing and reviewing the above risk factors,
will certainly require a few and possibly many lifestyle changes.
Remember, it’s never too late to get started on living healthier.
Doc Cane
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