Unscrambling the Facts about Eggs

They look harmless enough.  A small, rounded shape with a smooth, fragile shell.  But eggs have gotten a bad rep being blamed for heart disease and stroke.  Truth is, research shows NO link between eggs and heart disease.

In fact, one 70-calorie egg helps your:

• Brain:  Choline found in eggs supports the structure of brain cells and helps transmit messages from the brain to muscles.
• Heart:  Choline helps break down homocysteine, an amino acid that may contribute to heart disease.
• Weight:  Protein satiates hunger.
• Eyes:  Lutein and zeaxanthin also found in eggs help prevent macular degeneration.

Eggs provide good nutrition and help you feel full.  So, if your caree likes and desires eggs, serve ’em up!

all my best,

Karen Cameron
www.IndependAid.com & www.Memoir-Maker.com

Source:  HAP Newsletter, Health Alliance Plan is found at:  www.hap.org

Myth-Busting: Cardiovascular Disease

Relying on false assumptions can be dangerous to our hearts. Cardiovascular disease kills more Americans each year than any other disease. But we can boost our “heart smarts” by separating fact from fiction.

1. “I’m too young to worry about heart disease.” How you live now affects your risk for cardiovascular diseases later in life. As early as childhood and adolescence, plaque can start accumulating in the arteries and later lead to clogged arteries. One in three Americans has cardiovascular disease, but not all of them are senior citizens. Even young and middle-aged people can develop heart problems – especially now that obesity, type 2 diabetes and other risk factors are becoming more common at a younger age.
2. “I’d know if I had high blood pressure because there would be warning signs.” High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because you don’t usually know you have it. You may never experience symptoms, so don’t wait for your body to alert you that there’s a problem. The  way to know if you have high blood pressure is to check your numbers with a simple blood pressure test. Early treatment of high blood pressure is critical because, if left untreated, it can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and other serious health problems.
3. “I’ll know when I’m having a heart attack because I’ll have chest pain.” Not necessarily. Although it’s common to have chest pain or discomfort, a heart attack may cause subtle symptoms. These include shortness of breath, nausea, feeling lightheaded, and pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck or back. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. Learn you risk of heart attack today!
4. “Diabetes won’t threaten my heart as long as I take my medication.” Treating diabetes can help reduce your risk for or delay the development of cardiovascular diseases. But even when blood sugar levels are under control, you’re still at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. That’s because the risk factors that contribute to diabetes onset also make you more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. These overlapping risk factors include high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and smoking.
5. “Heart disease runs in my family, so there’s nothing I can do to prevent it.” Although people with a family history of heart disease are at higher risk, you can take steps to dramatically reduce your risk. Create an action plan to keep your heart healthy by tackling these to-dos: get active; control cholesterol; eat better; manage blood pressure; maintain a healthy weight; control blood sugar; and stop smoking.
6. “I don’t need to have my cholesterol checked until I’m middle-aged.” The American Heart Association recommends you start getting your cholesterol checked at age 20. It’s a good idea to start having a cholesterol test even earlier if your family has a history of heart disease. Children in these families can have high cholesterol levels, putting them at increased risk for developing heart disease as adults. You can help yourself and your family by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
7. “Heart failure means the heart stops beating.” The heart suddenly stops beating during cardiac arrest, not heart failure. With heart failure, the heart keeps working, but it doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. It can cause shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and ankles or persistent coughing and wheezing. During cardiac arrest, a person loses consciousness and stops normal breathing.
8. “This pain in my legs must be a sign of aging. I’m sure it has nothing to do with my heart.” Leg pain felt in the muscles could be a sign of a condition called peripheral artery disease. PAD results from blocked arteries in the legs caused by plaque buildup. The risk for heart attack or stroke increases five-fold for people with PAD.
9. “My heart is beating really fast. I must be having a heart attack.” Some variation in your heart rate is normal. Your heart rate speeds up during exercise or when you get excited, and slows down when you’re sleeping. Most of the time, a change in your heartbeat is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, it can be a sign of arrhythmia, an abnormal or irregular heartbeat. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can last long enough to impact how well the heart works and require treatment.
10. “I should avoid exercise after having a heart attack.” No! As soon as possible, get moving with a plan approved for you! Research shows that heart attack survivors who are regularly physically active and make other heart-healthy changes live longer than those who don’t. People with chronic conditions typically find that moderate-intensity activity is safe and beneficial. The American Heart Association recommends at least two and a half hours of moderate intensity physical activity each week. Find the help you need by joining a cardiac rehabilitation program, or consult your healthcare provider for advice on developing a physical activity plan tailored to your needs.

all my best,

Karen Cameron
www.IndependAid.com & www.Memoir-Maker.com

Source:  The American Heart Association

Staying Fit as You Age

After age 30, the fitness level of most adults decreases 10 percent with each decade.  But master athletes — people older than 50 who continue to compete in athletic events — often maintain their fitness level as they get older.  In fact, they’ve been shown to be twice as fit as inactive adults their same age.  Master athletes also have cholesterol, body fat and blood sugar levels similar to those of adults 15 to 30 years younger.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a competitive athlete to reap these rewards.  Adults of all ages who exercise regularly experience health benefits.  And research has found that people who begin exercising after age 50, and who maintain the habit for more than 10 years, reduce their risk of dying early by 20 to 30 percent.

Signing off for now; I’m going to hit the tennis courts while the weather’s still great in S.E. Michigan!

all my best,

Karen Cameron

Check-In Calls, LLC

 

Source:  Henry Ford Health System’s “HeartBeat” Newsletter, fall 2010

Unscrambling the Facts about Eggs

They look harmless enough.  A small, rounded shape with a smooth, fragile shell.  But eggs have gotten a bad rep being blamed for heart disease and stroke.  Truth is, research shows NO link between eggs and heart disease. 

In fact, one 70-calorie egg helps your:

• Brain:  Choline found in eggs supports the structure of brain cells and helps transmit messages from the brain to muscles.
• Heart:  Choline helps break down homocysteine, an amino acid that may contribute to heart disease.
• Weight:  Protein satiates hunger.
• Eyes:  Lutein and zeaxanthin also found in eggs help prevent macular degeneration.

Eggs provide good nutrition and help you feel full.  So, if your caree likes and desires eggs, serve ’em up! 

Source:  HAP Newsletter, Health Alliance Plan is found at:  www.hap.org

ElderCaring is brought to you by Check-In Calls, LLC

Heart Disease a Threat to Women Too

We used to think that heart disease was primarily a man’s issue.  But, during menopause, a woman’s risk starts to climb and by age 65 is nearly equal to a man’s.  Here’s why:

Estrogen.  This female hormone has anti-flammatory and antioxidant properties.  It may also help prevent the accumulation of belly fat which can boost heart disease risk.  Around the time of menopause, however, estrogen levels decline.

HDL and LDL Cholesterol.  At menopause, women’s HDL (good) cholesterol levels normally fall.  HDL keeps arteries clear by helping the body remove LDL (bad) cholesterol.  A high level of LDL cholesterol leads to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.

Blood Fats.  Weight gain and aging tend to trigger a rise in blood fats called triglycerides.  Similar to LDL cholesterol, excessive amounts of triglycerides can clog the arteries and contribute to strokes and heart attacks.

To boost your heart health, get regular exercise, eat a heart-healthy diet (one that’s high in fruits and veggies and low in fried foods and fatty meats).  Your doctor should provide regular checks of your blood pressure and cholesterol to keep your heart disease risk under control.

Source:  Healthy Living, the Henry Ford Newsletter, Winter 2010

ElderCaring is brought to you by:  www.CheckInCalls.com

When to Get Health Exams & Screenings

The table below shows typical time periods for each type of assessment.  Check with your doctor for specific recommendations based on your age, health, and medical history.

Weight/BMI	At Each Doctor’s Visit
Blood Pressure	Every 1-2 Years
Cholesterol/Lipids	Discuss with your health care provider
Diabetes	Discuss with your health care provider
Eye Exam/Glaucoma	Every 1-2 Years
Dental	1-2 Times/Year
Hearing	First Test by 60, then Every 3 Years
Colorectal Screening	Every 5 Years
Mammogram	Every Year
Pap Test/Pelvic Exam	Every 1-3 Years
Bone Density	Discuss with your health care provider
Depression Screening	Periodically

 

ElderCaring is brought to you by:  www.CheckInCalls.com