Supplement to Tulsa World, Thursday, February 5, 2015
heart
Health Watch What You’re Eating Warning Signs & Numbers
“ I was putting my career and the safety of passengers at risk.”
Pilot lands successful surgery to correct heart rhythm of Fort Worth, Texas. “Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new device called the ThermoCool SmartTouch Catheter, the first contact force therapy approved in the U.S. In my opinion this catheter represents a significant advancement in cardiac arrhythmia management. It reports the exact amount of force I am applying to heart tissue.”
(Brandpoint) — From greeting long-lost family and friends at baggage claim to rushing across the terminal to catch a departing flight, a fast, skipping heartbeat is a common occurrence at airports across the country. But for commercial airline pilot Tim Knutson, 46, his irregular heartbeat indicated far more serious problems. Based in Dallas for work, but living with his family in Chetek, Wisconsin, Knutson was meeting with his chiropractor when the doctor noticed his irregular heartbeat. A cardiologist soon diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation (Afib), the most common heart rhythm condition in the United States, affecting nearly 3 million Americans.
A “fluttering” feeling For people who have Afib, an irregularity in the heart’s electrical system prevents the heart from beating normally and instead, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) quiver. Some patients liken this “fluttering” feeling to a hummingbird flapping its wings in their chest. This abnormal beating of the heart prevents the blood from effectively moving into the bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles), increasing the risk of stroke. In fact, people with Afib have a five times higher risk of stroke than those without the condition. Afib is a progressive disease. If it is left un-
New treatment option
Courtesy photo
Commercial airline pilot Tim Knutson was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which prevents the heart from beating normally. It can cause a stroke, but thanks to surgery he’s flying again. treated, it may lead to chronic fatigue, congestive heart failure or stroke. “My cardiologist prescribed medicine, but it didn’t fully control my symptoms and made me incredibly tired,” says Knutson. “As a pilot, we have to pass strict medical exams to continue flying. “I knew that if I didn’t have my Afib under control,” Knutson says, “I was putting my career — and perhaps even the safety of passengers — at risk.”
Heed the warning Knutson’s experience is not uncommon. Statistics show that more than half of patients with Afib either don’t respond to or cannot tolerate drug therapy because of its side effects. To address Knutson’s Afib, his electrophysiologist recommended a minimally invasive procedure called contact force therapy. “Afib can have significant medical and quality of life implications for patients,” says Dr. Craig Delaughter
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“This new contact force information makes me confident that every location I need to ablate is effectively treated,” Dr. Delaughter says. “This is an important treatment option because it has proven results in improving clinical outcomes and helping patients like Tim get back to their lives.” During the procedure, doctors place a thin bendable wire, or catheter, through a blood vessel in the leg to reach the heart, and, using a navigation-like mapping system, they identify and treat parts of the heart that cause rhythm problems. Patients are typically out of the hospital in one or two days. “Since the therapy last summer, my Afib symptoms are gone, and I’m back in the cockpit, right where I belong,” Knutson says. “I encourage people with Afib to talk to their doctor about the path that might be right for them.”
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ª MAYBE IT’S TIME TO CHANGE YOUR DIET
Do these three meals resemble what you eat? By Kevin Armstrong Special Sections Editor
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et’s face it. If you became overburdened at work because of your boss’s poor planning and the impact it had on you and your health, you might think about quitting your job, right? Well, that’s the same thing we often do to our hearts when we’re deciding what to eat. If you’re like most Americans, you’re really asking that cardiac muscle of yours to perform an unrealistic feat given the tasks required. Sure, we all have days at work that are more difficult than others, and that will hold true for your heart as well. But it’s the little decisions each day that really add up and make the dif-
ference. What you eat and drink to fuel your body, including your heart, really matters. So before that heart of yours quits on you, consider the choices you make each and every day. The following examples show some of the typical things we include in our daily diets. Valerie Dandridge, a registered dietitian at Saint Francis Hospital, explains the negative impact these choices can have on our heart, and she recommends healthier alternatives.
A BREAKFAST that’s NOT for Champions q
A Killer LUNCH p
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ow about that stack of hotcakes, topped with melting butter and dripping with maple syrup? And don’t forget that cup of joe. What a way to warm up on a winter morning, right? Not if you want a healthy heart. Dandridge says you’re really just treating yourself to “cake for breakfast.” And, at this rate, you won’t be blowing out the candles on as many birthdays as you might hope. Those pancakes are likely made from white, refined flour that has been stripped of its nutrients. What a waste, and all for a seemingly better taste. The toppings, however, are the worst offenders when it comes to this breakfast choice. Dandridge says that butter is high in saturated fat, which can raise your bad cholesterol (called LDL). The syrup is packed with sugar, which may increase the triglycerides in your blood that are harmful to your heart. Oh, and if you wash this down with a cup of coffee? What a way to raise your blood pressure by cramming your cardiac system full of caffeine. Dandridge says: Beware. You’ll crash later from your caffeine high.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting consumption of foods and beverages that are high in calories but low in nutrients. To help maintain a healthy heart, you also should limit the amount of saturated fat, trans fat and sodium that you eat.
hat is more American than a double cheeseburger, fries and a soda for your on-the-go lifestyle? That might be true, but it doesn’t make it right. It helps explain why Americans have the highest incidence of heart disease in the world. Is that what you really want? Because that’s what you’re asking for with this lunch choice. Those all-beef patties might sound tantalizingly good, but you can bet they’re not made from 93 percent lean meat. The high-fat saturation is what • Choose the chicken (grilled, makes that burger so not breaded), but leave off the juicy, Dandridge says. special sauce or mayo, which are Then, consider the salt high in fat. and seasoning added to the meat, and your • Opt for a salad, but beware blood pressure will of the dressing. Always get it on be climbing after you the side, Dandridge says, and bite into that burger. only use one-half of a packet of The same holds dressing. It’s all you really need to true for that slice or dress those vegetables with some two of cheese: more flavor. saturated fat and • Replace the fries with fruit more sodium. (apple slices) or raw vegetables Seeing those veggies piled between (carrots), if available. the meat and bun is • Drink water. nice, Dandridge says, • It’s difficult to control what but beware of those you’re getting when eating out, pickles. They’re full of Dandridge says. Her advice: “Eat sodium. breakfast at home, and take your Ditto on the fries: lunch to work with you because more fat, more soyou can control what goes into dium. The soda? Here that.” comes that infusion of sugar again as well as the jolt of caffeine. Dandridge says opting for the diet soda isn’t good either. There’s just too much we still don’t know about the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners, especially with frequent consumption.
ª TRY THESE
ª ALTERNATIVES • Whole-grain pancake. Now you’re talking real fiber, which is good for your heart and may lower your cholesterol. • Use no-trans-fat margarine instead of butter. • Top those hotcakes with fresh fruit or Greek yogurt, instead of syrup. Sweet! • Quicker and easier: whole wheat English muffin with peanut butter and fresh fruit (fiber, protein and a shot of vitamins and minerals). • Drink decaf coffee, if you must, or just have a glass of low-fat milk instead (calcium, protein and Vitamin D).
A DINNER to Die for u
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klahomans often enjoy a well-cooked chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes, both smothered in pan gravy, with a pile of green beans that have been slow cooked with bacon strips and plenty of salt. Wow. Can you say S-O-D-I-U-M? Let’s start with the chicken-fried steak. Dandridge looked it up. That one serving of meat has 1,330 milligrams of sodium, and the American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500 mg per day. “You’ve spent it on one piece of meat,” she says. In addition, it’s loaded with saturated fat. “It’s not good for your heart,” Dandridge says. You don’t have to give up chicken-fried steak. Dandridge found recipes online for lower-fat recipes for the dish. They don’t use much oil, and the batter is not deep fried. As for the mashed taters? There’s nothing wrong with eating a potato, Dandridge says. The problem is with all the butter and salt added when the mashing process takes place. Gravy? What a convenient way to get more saturated fat on your plate and into your bloodstream thanks to the grease drippings in grandma’s tried and true recipe. The same holds true for a perfectly good vegetable such as green beans. Bacon adds flavor, but it also packs on the fat and sodium. Are you starting to get the picture? Those two ingredients are what make lunch and dinner so bad for your heart, but food preparers know your taste buds love ‘em.
Avoid These 3 Excuses
ª SUBSTITUTES FOR SUPPER • Grill your chicken. Dandridge suggests limiting your red meat intake to once or twice a week, if you can. Also add fish, such as salmon, to your diet. Your heart will love you for it. • Use olive oil when cooking. It’s much healthier for your heart, Dandridge says. Use it when preparing both meats and vegetables, she adds. • Load your potato with something other than butter, or make it a sweet potato. Put other vegetables on your potato, or use low-fat margarine, low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt. Also consider adding fresh herbs such as rosemary or cilantro for flavor instead of salt.
CONVENIENCE
Sure, it’s easier to grab fast food on the go, but if you plan ahead when you’re at the grocery store, you can eat healthier.
COST
• Saute the beans in a small amount of olive oil and garlic. Dandridge says to avoid canned vegetables. Fresh or frozen are better, she says. • Steam or roast your vegetables. Roasted vegetables are becoming more popular, Dandridge says. Brush them with olive oil – “Don’t drown the guys,” she says — add herbs and put them in a 450-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes. • Drink water instead of sweetened iced tea. Add some fresh berries or slices of lemon or lime. “It’s like spa water in your house,” Dandridge says.
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables, not processed foods, might cost cents up front, but it will save medical expenses.
CONSUMPTION
Portion control goes a long way in you eating better. Only put on your plate what you need; save the rest for another meal.
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WARNING
TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT
A HEALTHY HEART: BY THE NUMBERS Blood Pressure:
Pay attention to these signs Dr. Heather Cha of St. John Clinic Cardiology asks her patients about these signs and symptoms on every visit to detect possible heart issues: • Chest pain or any form of chest discomfort such as pressure, tightness, squeezing, stabbing, etc. as the quality of pain may differ patient to patient • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) • Palpitations (sensation of heart rate beating hard, or fast, or irregularly, or a combination) • Radiation of chest pain to the neck, jaw, back, shoulders, arms • Nausea with/without vomiting • Sweating (diaphoresis), feeling hot/clammy • Dizziness/lightheadedness (presyncope — feeling like your are going to pass out ) • Passing out (syncope) • Swelling in the belly (abdomen), legs (edema) • Needing to sleep with more pillows to prop yourself up to help with breathing or needing to sleep in a recliner (orthopnea) • Waking up at night short of breath or gasping for air (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea) • Pain in leg muscles when walking (buttocks, thighs, calves) that improves/goes away with rest • Overall generalized fatigue • Change or decline in functional status (for example. only being able to walk 1 mile, when previously you were able to walk 2 miles) • Elevated blood pressure • Elevated heart rates (greater than 100 beats per minute is technically considered a fast heart rate) “If anyone is dealing with any of these symptoms, it is best to seek medical attention,” Dr. Cha advises. “If your gut tells you something is wrong, something is usually wrong. You know your body best.”
Top number in measurement should be < 140; the bottom number should be < 90.
Cholesterol:
LDL/bad cholesterol reading should be < 130.
Blood sugar: It should measure <
Physical activity:
Incorporate it into your DAILY schedule. Walking for just 10 MINUTES can be very beneficial to your overall health.
Tobacco:
Zero use of tobacco-related products. Dr. Wayne N. Leimbach Jr. of Oklahoma Heart Institute says regularly monitoring these numbers and following these simple tips can reduce your risk of heart attack.
Five Ways to Avoid Common Dieting Pitfalls (StatePoint) — Weight-loss goals are easier to make than to achieve. Life can often seem at odds with your heart health and wellness goals. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to avoid common pitfalls. • Snack and drink smart: When you’re on the go, easy protein-packed snacks will help you stay on track. Try beef jerky, low-fat string cheese or 100 calorie packs of almonds. Fiber-rich whole-grains, fruits and vegetables can also help keep hunger at bay. Calories from drinks add up fast. Stick with dry wines, as they often have fewer calories than sweeter varieties. Light beers, with approximately 100 calories for every 12 ounce serving, are also a good choice. If you prefer cocktails, use caloriefree mixers, such as seltzer with 1.5 oz. of spirits. • Make it easy: Dieting should be easy. Most people often complain they fail at diets because they need to constantly count calories, or weigh and measure foods. Look for programs that help you stick to your goals by offering convenience and support. For example, some weight-loss plans help with the hard part — the counting, weighing and measuring — by offering pre-portioned and personalized
Exercise tips your heart will love (Brandpoint) — A regular exercise routine is an important component of heart health, yet less than one-third of Americans get the minimum 30 minutes of daily exercise five days a week, as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA). Nationally, as many as 250,000 deaths annually are attributable to a lack of regular physical activity. While exercise is important for everyone, regular aerobic activity can be critical for cardiovascular patients. Even a little exercise goes a long way. “Just 5-10 minutes of daily running, even at very slow speeds, can significantly lower the risk of mortality among cardiovascular patients,” says Ed Dannemiller, a specialist pharmacist in the Express Scripts Cardiovascular Therapeutic Resource Center. “Simply getting the recommended minimum amount of exercise can help reduce cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke by 30-40 percent.” If you are starting an exercise regime, keep these precautions in mind to minimize your risks: • High-intensity exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups and heavy lifting may not be recommended for cardiovascular patients, so it’s a good idea to speak with
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your physician first. • You may also need to avoid certain everyday activities that can overly affect the heart rate, such as raking, shoveling and mowing. • Walking, swimming and light jogging are good beginning exercises if you have a cardiovascular condition. If you are already on a workout schedule, keep these tips in mind: • Maintain a steady pace and rest between workouts. • Do not exercise outdoors in extremely humid, hot or cold temperatures. Extreme temps can make breathing difficult and cause chest pain. Try mallwalking instead. • In cold weather, cover your nose and mouth when exercising outside. • Stay hydrated by drinking water, even when you’re not feeling thirsty and especially on hot days. • Avoid overly cold/hot showers or sauna baths after exercise. • Avoid exercising in hilly areas because it may cause your heart to work too hard. Closely monitor your heart rate with your target rate in mind. • Stop exercising if you experience pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or excessive fatigue. Consult your physician.
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meal plans designed to fuel individuals with the right amount of calories for how their metabolism burns, as well as satisfy individual taste. There’s no better time than now to start your weight loss journey and make your pledge to lose. • Eat out, right: Eating out is sometimes unavoidable. Just be sure to check out a restaurant’s nutrition information online before you go. Make substitutions such as salad, with dressing on the side, instead of fries, and don’t be afraid to ask if a menu item can be modified. Also, be mindful of portion sizes. Take half your meal home and enjoy it for tomorrow’s lunch. • Facing the scale: Weight fluctuates throughout the day. Weigh yourself at the same time of day in similar weight clothing to get the most accurate readings. Remember though, the number on the scale won’t always reflect your hard work. Focus instead on healthy, positive changes and how you feel. • Aim for 30: Squeeze 30 minutes of activity into your day. Walk during lunch, jump rope during your favorite nightly TV show or turn on music and dance. Remember, everyone falls off the wagon from time to time, but it’s always the perfect time to commit to your weight-loss goals.
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