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Welcome to the first issue of the Cardiac Associates, P.C. patient newsletter. Every couple of months we hope to provide you with some useful information regarding various heart conditions, important definitions, tips on prevention, and invaluable resources to better navigate through the health care system and become more savvy consumers of health care resources. Enjoy! A Few Words On…ExerciseAccording to research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), less than 50% of Americans meet the recommendations for physical activity, and less than 25% report no exercise at all[1]. Research also shows that outcomes from diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, colon and breast cancer, as well as anxiety and depression are all inversely related to exercise activities[2]. While most individuals know that exercise is good and should be a part of their daily (or almost daily) routine, few people probably know how exercise can positively impact so many aspects of their overall health. Here is a list of just a few things exercise can do: - Lower weight and enhance weight loss from diet programs
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower bad cholesterol and improve the good cholesterol
- Potentially reduce the number and doses of medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol
- Prevent or delay the development high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol in individuals who are on the borderline of developing these conditions
- Reduce stress levels
- Improve mood and behavior
- Improve overall strength and coordination
- Reduce chances of injury
- Improve immune function
So, now that you know how powerful and important exercise is for overall health and well-being, how do you get it? Are you ready to sign-up for the next Marine Corp Marathon? Don’t worry, this level of physical activity far exceeds the exercise requirements for good health. According to the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine, the minimum exercise requirements for the average adult are as follows: · 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week of moderate intensity activity (the 30 minute block of time can be broken down to 3-ten minute blocks of time throughout the day with equivalent results). Moderate intensity activities can be most easily described as feeling warm and slightly short of breath during the activity. If for whatever reason, this minimum level of activity is just not possible, every effort should be made to be more active throughout your regular day. For example, park further away from the grocery store, restaurant, or mall, and take the stairs whenever possible. Also, don’t let bad weather be an excuse. Drive to the local gym, community center, or large shopping mall (walk laps around the inside of the mall – no window shopping). So, now that you are empowered with this knowledge, get some comfortable shoes and clothes on and choose to be more active! Definition of the Month: Heart Attack A heart attack is also known more officially as a myocardial infarction (MI). The process by which this can occur typically involves plaque (cholesterol deposits and inflammatory cells in the body) formation within the walls of the heart arteries. For a number of different reasons this plaque can break (plaque rupture) causing the rapid formation of a blood clot at the site of the previous plaque. The artery which was perhaps 50-60% blocked with plaque is now 100% blocked. At this point a portion of the heart muscle (supplied by the diseased artery) is now deprived of important oxygen and nutrients and subsequently dies. If the blocked artery is opened quickly with medications or procedures, the extent of damage to the heart is minimal and overall heart function is preserved.
Test of the Month:What is…a Coronary Angiogram? A coronary angiogram (also referred to as a heart catheterization, heart cath, or just cath) is a procedure whereby a special type of “IV” is placed usually in the main artery in the leg and long catheters (or small tubes) are placed through the “IV.” These catheters are then fed up the body and into the main arteries of the heart. Once in place, dye is injected through the tubes and into the arteries. Special x-ray pictures are then taken in multiple views to visualize all the arteries in the heart looking for evidence of plaque build-up. These special catheters are also capable of measuring pressures within various chambers of the heart. If significant plaque build-up is identified, a special procedure may be performed to open up the blockage (but this is a topic for another day – or newsletter). All together, the coronary angiogram takes about an hour. At the conclusion of the test, the tiny hole where the “IV” once was is sealed off. To ensure the puncture site is well healed you will be asked to remain flat in bed for a brief period of time.
Health Quiz (answers are below) 1. What is a normal blood pressure? 2. What are the official exercise recommendations for adults? 3. What are some of the major health conditions which contribute to developing heart disease (name at least 3)?
Helpful Resources www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3046114 American Heart Association website which offers suggestions on how to initiate an exercise program www.americanheart.org/hbp American Heart Association website on high blood pressure. In addition to valuable information about high blood pressure there is a link for a printable chart for recording your blood pressure readings at home. www.cardiacassociates.org Website for Cardiac Associates, P.C. Helpful Numbers Cardiac Associates, P.C. – Rockville 301-670-3000 Cardiac Associates, P.C. – Germantown 240-449-1100 Cardiac Associates, P.C. – Olney 301-634-4800 Cardiac Associates, P.C. – Laurel 301-924-0166
[1] Physical activity and public heath: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2007; 116:1081-1093. [2] Kesaniemi, Y, et al. Dose-response issues concerning physical activity and health: an evidence-based symposium. Med. Sci. Sport Exerc. 33(6 Suppl):S531-S538, 2001. |
