Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 22)

“Some people respond to stress in positive ways,” he says. “They go running. Or they meditate or pray or listen to music.” Those who drink heavily or smoke cigarettes to cope with stress, or release their stress through anger, are harming their health. SITUATION: YOU’VE Survival strategy: Take rehabilitation seriously. For people who survive a heart attack, what happens next is important, Goff says. “For most people, that should include a formal cardiac rehabilitation program, which includes SURVIVED A HEART ATTACK. monitored physical activity to help the person get back into good physical condition,” he says. Depending on the person’s needs, the program should also focus on lifestyle factors. He adds that medications, such as those that lower cholesterol or blood pressure, may be given. After Hills’ heart attack scare, she knew she had to improve her diet and get more exercise, but she also had to better manage her stress level and sleep more. For Hills, this meant cutting back on her hours at work. “I started having to protect my health and say ‘no’ more often,” she says. “Work will encroach on every part of your life. You have to be able to create boundaries … it becomes a conversation that you have to have with your boss.” SITUATION: YOU’RE Survival strategy: Think again. And study up. Heart disease can start at a young age and catch up with you quickly. “The ﬁrst thing you can do is to take charge of your own health,” Brill says. “Know your numbers, and do what it takes to manage these numbers.” Because high cholesterol and high blood pressure are signiﬁcant risk factors for heart disease, it’s important to have your levels tested. If they are high, your doctor can recommend lifestyle changes to get these numbers under control or prescribe medications. It’s also important to know your weight and make sure you keep it in a healthy range. YOUNG AND THINK YOU’RE IMMUNE TO HEART ATTACKS. Eat Your Way to a Healthier Heart Here are five tasty tips from Amy Tella, M.S., R.D., CNSC, clinical nutrition manager at Gwinnett Medical Center: 1. Lose the salt shaker. A splash of lemon juice or a dash of herbs adds a healthier zing. 2. Vegetables are your heart’s friend, especially when served fresh or quick-cooked. 3. Wean yourself from high-fat dairy products. For instance, if you drink whole milk, begin adding a little nonfat milk each time, until ultimately you’ll be Gwinnett Medical Center can help set your eating habits drinking all nonfat milk. on the right path. With Diet by Design, a personalized, 4. Go vegetarian more often. Eating beans or soy flexible approach to weight management, a registered products instead of meat a couple of times a week will dietitian will design a plan that suits your lifestyle and help control your cholesterol. coach you through the changes. Learn more at 5. Give your taste buds something new. Visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/dnec. one of the many ethnic markets in our community. tools Personalized Diet Plan 22 Vim & Vigor · W I N TER 2 011 http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/dnec

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil's Feature
New Hip, New Life
Building Better Heart Care
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One's For the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Prime Time Health
The Future of Breast Health
Growing Generosity
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center