Keith Ahrens

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary TomVilsack and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the federal government’s evidence-based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.

Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity.

Reprinted with permission from The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Dept. of HHS

The fight against heart disease and obesity takes place everyday, every moment, every second.

A commitment to eating heart healthy, getting regular physical activity, taking time to relax, and developing other heart healthy habits puts you in the game.  These heart healthy habits determine whether we’re in the game or on the sidelines.

There’re so many resources out there to help us learn, succeed and fight Americas #1 Killer.

By making daily commitments and dedicating your efforts to implement an action plan to succeed takes effort.  Let me tell you – It’s worth it!

Managing our individual risk factors is critical to a healthier life.

Get off the sidelines and Get In The Game! – Keith

I had a routine follow-up appointment with my internist today. All of my blood work came back excellent and my blood pressure was an outstanding 110/70.

We were talking about early detection and how a large number of patients put off their regular appointments until a problem complicates itself or progresses for no reason at all.  Note: The people we were talking about were all people with insurance.

Early detection is critical in the treatment and prognosis of any disease or illness.

Remember, almost 4 years ago a routine EKG detected a heart abnormality on me.  It ultimately helped save my life.

I tell everyone to get a checkup. The doctor may tell you everything looks great or he may tell you there’s an issue that needs to be addressed.  Either way it’s a win win situation.  By this I mean if there is an issue that’s detected then you can tackle that problem.  It’s much better to know of a potential health problem and be able to treat it then to let it go unnoticed and get worse.

So, when is your next doctor’s appointment? – Keith

Do you follow the golden rule when it comes to taking care of your heart?

For your heart to work properly, stay strong, and do its job, then you need to treat it right.

Heart healthy nutrition and regular exercise are the cornerstones of good heart health.  They’re also the first prescription given to fix a bad one.

I wish we were all given 2 hearts when we were born.  That way, if the first was to be worn out then we could shut it off and turn the other one on. This just isn’t the case.

Take care of the Heart you have, treat it better and pay attention to what it needs to stay healthy. – Keith

Perhaps they should be.

Drug interaction, allergies and adverse side effects from medication are a big deal.

Share with your pharmacist ALL of the medication and the specific dosages you’re taking. Make sure to inform them of any vitamins or supplements you’re taking also.

By asking simple questions your pharmacist just may help you stave off an emergency.

Your pharmacist can and should serve as a valuable source of information.

Nowadays, so many of us are under the care of more than one doctor with multiple prescriptions. We take vitamins and supplements too.

I’ve never had a pharmacist ask me for a co-pay or charge me to answer a question.  Most are happy to assist. The patient consultation window at your local pharmacy is one of the few free health care benefits we have.

There are more and more websites coming on line to answer questions about medicine too. Ask the pharmacist Walgreens, Web MD, and others.

Use your pharmacist as a source of information.  Take advantage of their expertise. – Keith

We call things that hamper us from reaching our health goals “Limiting Factors”.

Typically there are 3 limiting factors that are real when it comes to achieving our overall health success and well-being.

We need to be aware of all 3 but we need to concentrate mainly on 2 of them.

Typically our genetics, although it’s something we can’t control doesn’t stop someone from achieving to be in better overall shape.

Physical activity and better nutrition ARE things we can control.

To be in overall better shape when we neglect one over the other we do so at our own peril.

I’ve never met anyone that exercises all the time and eats like a garbage disposal to be very healthy. Conversely, I’ve never met anyone who eats a very heart healthy diet low in saturated fats, high in fiber, low sodium, lean meats, and whole grains and doesn’t exercise to be very healthy either.

Balance is the key.  Physical exercise and Heart Healthy Nutrition go hand in hand.

Consider a brisk walk as important the as eating your veggies and visa versa. – Keith

Where does it start? Where does it end? Where is it going?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about Happy Meals, Kids School Lunches, Physical Education programs, etc…

Poor early eating and exercise habits lead to adult illnesses and premature death.

There’s a lot of finger pointing and redirection of real issues.  Debate is good but action and viable solutions are the only answer.

Pundits are split on the solutions to keeping our kids slim and fit.

We can’t skimp on programs that may give a kid a fair shot at a healthy life.

The reality is America is getting sick and dying one saturated fat gram at a time. – Keith

I was just at an airport waiting patiently for my ride to pull up in passenger pick-up.

Two guys, one a traffic enforcement officer and another a motorist waiting for his passenger. These two guys started yelling at the top of their lungs hurling every swear word and insult at each other imaginable.  The traffic cop wanted him to move his car.  The driver had his passenger literally walking down the sidewalk. I though they were going to go at it.

I simply couldn’t believe how in the holiday season such a simple thing turned into a Heart Attack waiting to happen Stress Test for these two guys. Their Blood Pressure must have been through the roof – for nothing!

Take it easy.  Parking lots, shopping carts, and long lines are going to happen. Consider it part of the season. Relax. Take a deep breath. Laugh it off if you can.

The days will always come and go but adding stress certainly doesn’t help our hearts. – Keith

I ask parents to raise their hands if they want their kids to be Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, Scientists, Senior Managers, CEO’s, etc….

They ALL raise their hands.

Then I ask them if it was all worth it if their child has a Heart Attack at 45 years old?

My Point-

Parents need to get involved and demand that funding continue in ALL health and physical education programs.

For the most part, each school district dictates its own curriculum.  Physical education should be mandatory through grades 12 and required every semester a student is in school. – Keith

Today I attended the annual Holiday Lunch with the Mended Hearts Chapter of Las Vegas.  There were about 33 fellow survivors in attendance along with some friends and family.

One thing’s for sure, these folks take nothing for granted and cherish life’s everyday pleasures.

After Heart Surgery or Cardiac Intervention such as Pacemakers, Stents, Angioplasty, etc… Many people go through a depression phase. It’s not uncommon.

One of the best ways to get out of that “funk” is to be around and speak with others who understand what you’ve been through.

Support groups are a fantastic way to share personal feelings and experiences.

If you’re a survivor or family member of a survivor, please see if there’s a local Mended Hearts Chapter in your area and attend a meeting.

Many members are involved in hospital visits after patients have surgery or cardiac procedures.  I remember having a visit at my bedside by a member of Mended Hearts after my open-heart surgery.  I knew that I wasn’t alone. – Keith