Wellness Corner...
Judith Wallace, RN, FCN 

All of us need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from heart disease. For both men and women, the biggest factors that contribute to heart disease are smoking, high blood     pressure, high cholesterol, family history and age. Take a moment to consider your lifestyle, family history and your general health. With this information, you and your doctor can assess your risk and make a plan to avoid potential problems. Although you can't change your family history or your age, you can make lifestyle changes to avoid many of the other risk factors (see below).

Don’t smoke. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Women who smoke and use birth control pills     increase their risk even more. More than half of the heart attacks in women under 50 are related to smoking. If you stop smoking, you can lower your risk of heart attack by one third within 2 years.

 Control your blood pressure. Treating high blood pressure can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. A healthy diet, losing weight and exercising regularly are all ways to help control high blood pressure. Reducing how much salt you consume can also help. If these steps don't lower your blood pressure, your doctor may recommend medicine for you to take.

Control your cholesterol level. If you don't know your level, ask your doctor to check it.   Healthy diet is a key part of lowering high cholesterol levels. However, some people may need to take medicine in addition to improving their diet and exercise.

Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts strain on your heart and arteries. Exercise and a low-fat diet can help you lose weight. Being overweight means you have a higher risk for many other health problems, especially diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. If you're overweight, talk to your doctor about a safe and effective way to lose weight.

Exercise regularly. Remember, your heart is a muscle. It needs regular exercise to stay in shape. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging or cycling, gives your heart the best workout. You can also use fitness equipment like exercise bicycles, treadmills and ski machines when exercising indoors.  Aim to exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Take care of your diabetes. If you have diabetes, regular exercise, weight control, a low-fat diet and regular     doctor visits are important. If you need to take medicine for diabetes, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Be aware of chest pain. Be sure to contact your doctor immediately if you suffer from pain in your chest, shoulder, neck or jaw. Also notify your doctor if you experience shortness of breath or nausea that comes on quickly. If you are having a heart attack, the faster you can get to the hospital, the less damage will happen to your heart. Every second counts.

Be well!

Important Health Update: Swine Flu

A new strain of influenza has captured the attention of the medical community.  Known as Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection, the strain has been common for many years in various parts of the world.  While it was typically seen only in those who come in direct contact with infected pigs, there has been an increased incidence of the flu that now appears to be spread from human-to-human.   It is not spread by eating properly prepared pork.

 The major occurrence has occurred in Mexico, but has also been seen in Canada and as far away as New Zealand.  It is now considered to be “pandemic” – meaning a very widespread outbreak which has affected an unusually high number of people.  As you may know there have been many deaths in Mexico.  More than sixty human cases of Swine Flu have been identified in the United States.  To date, only one case has required hospitalization and none has been fatal so far.  There have been no cases of Swine Flu reported in Pennsylvania yet. However, New York has experienced the highest number of cases in the US to date. The virus seems to be spreading rapidly.  Pennsylvania health officials have adopted emergency containment plans because they expect that it is only a matter of time until the first case shows up in our state.

The virus travels in respiratory secretions.  Proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are the best forms of defense-in other words wash your hands frequently, do not touch your face, and cover your mouth when you cough (even when not sick).  In addition, the virus appears to be strong enough to live on objects (door knobs, money, hand rails, telephones, etc.) for 72 hours.   So, when you handle these items, wash your hands or use alcohol based hand sanitizer.
This season’s regular flu shot does not seem to provide any coverage for this new strain.

 The symptoms of swine flu are no different than the regular seasonal flu:  fever, coughing, sneezing, muscle pain, headache and sometimes, vomiting and diarrhea.  If you develop any of these symptoms, please call your doctor.  A definitive diagnosis is made by swabbing the inside of your nose or mouth.  Although no one in the US has died from swine flu yet, officials believe that the death toll in Mexico may, in some part, be related to waiting too long to see a doctor.  There are at least two medications that are effective in treating this type of influenza.  Pennsylvania health department has stockpiled Tamiflu and Relenza so that they will be available when needed.

 It is important to know that people who have swine flu are contagious for seven days even if they feel better.  Health officials are asking people to stay home until the contagion period has passed. 

For more information you may check the PA Department of Health website at www.health.state.pa.us