Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 12)

THE PARTIER RISKY BEHAVIORS: Smoking and excessive drinking THE SITUATION: According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, cigarette smoking causes one in ﬁve deaths. When you smoke cigarettes, chemicals enter your bloodstream and damage cells, blood vessels and the heart itself. “Smoking is the worst thing you can do for your heart,” says Richard H. Carmona, M.D., a former U.S. Surgeon General and an advisory board member of the educational program “Time to Talk CARDIO.” And while the occasional beer or glass of wine in the evenings isn’t a threat, excessive drinking is. STEPS YOU CAN TAKE: If you are a bit of a partier, the most important thing you can do is quit smoking. Your doctor can help you through the process or recommend resources. If drinking is about socializing with friends, try to ﬁnd other ways to engage, such as meeting for coffee or lunch—or even at the racquetball court—to help minimize the urge to drink and maybe even do something healthy instead. RISKY BEHAVIORS: Poor eating habits, lack of physical activity THE SITUATION: An increase in unhealthy eating habits and a decline in physical activity in the U.S. have contributed directly to the rise in obesity. And obesity is a key risk factor in heart disease and other health conditions. “We believe, and our data indicates, that only half a percent of Americans are actually following our [heart-healthy] diet,” says Ralph Sacco, M.D., immediate past president of the American Heart Association. STEPS YOU CAN TAKE: The American Heart Association recommends a diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, ﬁber-rich whole-grain foods, ﬁsh twice a week and lean meats. Plus, reducing your intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol and added sugars will make a big difference. In addition, strive for less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol and less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day. And make sure you’re exercising enough: at least 150 minutes per week. Just 30 minutes a day, ﬁve days a week is all it takes to get started on the road to better health. THE OVERWEIGHT JOKESTER 12 Vim & Vigor · SP R I N G 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
The Philanthropist Next Door
Special Delivery
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
PrimeTime Health
Reclaiming Form and Function
Nice Follow-Through
Out of the White Coat
SPECIAL: Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center