Biggest Health Threats Among Hispanics Today

Heart disease is the #1 killer of Hispanic men and women in the U.S. Hispanics are at a higher risk to develop diabetes which is a strong risk factor for heart problems. Heart disease and diabetes risk factors specific to the Hispanic/Latino population will be discussed and strategies to reduce risk.

Do you or someone you know snore? That snoring could be Sleep Apnea – and it could kill you!

 Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have pauses in breathing (actually stop breathing) or shallow breaths while you sleep.  Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They often occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This most often means that the airway has collapsed or is blocked during sleep.

When I lecture about sleep apnea and heart disease I often ask people to take a deep breath and hold it for about 20 to 30 seconds (why not try it now)…

Okay after the 30 seconds let the breath out.  That is how long many people with sleep apnea stop breathing while they sleep, often several times every hour.

Take a look at this short PSA on Sleep Apnea:

Untreated sleep apnea can:

• Increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes!
• Increase the risk for or worsen heart failure
• Lead to irregular heartbeats  
• Increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents

 Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue
• Loud snoring
• Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
• Abrupt awakenings at night sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)

Sleep apnea can be treated once it is diagnosed. By treating your sleep apnea you can actually also protect your heart from future problems.

For more info on sleep apnea visit www.sleepapnea.org

For more info about risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes visit www.heart-strong.com

We are nurses practitioners who have spent years taking care of people with heart disease and our mission now is to help people PREVENT heart attacks and strokes.  We have written two books that may help you learn about your individual risk factors and what you can do to prevent heart problems, strokes and diabetes.  “Take Charge: A Woman’s Guide to a Healthier Heart” and “Take Charge: A Man’s Roadmap to a Healthy Heart – So simple you will not even have to stop and ask for directions” – our books offer realistic steps to help you develop a healthier lifestyle, all of the information in the books comes from the latest medical guidelines available and is written in an easy to follow and understand format.

Too Many Stroke Patients are Missing an Important Medication

The May 27^th online issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association reported that more than 16% of stroke patients are being discharged without a potentially life-saving medication.  These medications are called statins and they are generally used to reduce levels of the artery clogging cholesterol, LDL.  Common names for the statins are Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor.

Dr. Bruce Ovbiagle, associate professor of neurology and director at the UCLA Stroke Prevention Program, UCLA Stroke Center and Department of Neurology stated that about one in ten stroke patients experience a second stroke within a week.  If statin therapy is started immediately at the hospital, a second stroke could possibly be prevented.

The good news is that there has been an increase in the number of patients being given prescriptions for the statin medicines between 2005 and 2007.  There has been an increase from 76% to nearly 85% of patients receiving statins.

There did seem to be a disparity in the type of patient and geographic location of the patient receiving the statin prescriptions.  Women had a 13% lower rate of receiving the medication than men and hospitals in the South were 34% less likely to discharge a patient on a statin than hospitals in the West.

If you or someone you know has suffered a stroke, check your medication list and be sure that a statin (Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, or one of the others) is on the list.  If not, discuss it with your healthcare provider!  There are certain medical conditions that would prevent a person from taking a statin medication.

 For more valuable health information visit us at www.heart-strong.com.

Women and Heart Disease Across the Lifespan (Part 2 – Baby Boomers)

During this show we will discuss heart problems women may start to experience around menopause. “The Menopause Triple Threat” – weight gain, high blood pressure & cholesterol problems. Heart attack & stroke risk factors, “Broken Heart Syndrome”

Listen to internet radio with Heartstrong on Blog Talk Radio

“Good morning, it’s your healthy wake-up call!”

Why not join us for a cup of java or cup of tea (both are healthy drinks which we will discuss) and listen to a free health seminar.

“Good morning, it’s your healthy wake-up call!”

Board Certified Nurse Practioners and authors Margie Latrella and Carolyn Strimike will discuss simple steps you can take to improve your general health and lower your risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes.  One person dies every minute of every day from heart disease!!  Don’t be the next one!

About 80% of heart attacks and strokes are PREVENTABLE by making simple lifestyle changes.  Come and learn what they are!

The discussion will be held at the Fine Grind at 101 Newark-Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls on June 23, 2010 at 9:30am

Our two books will also be on sale at the event.  Hope to see you there!

Women and Heart Disease Across the Lifespan Part 1 (Young Women)

This is the first of a three part series titled “Women and Heart Disease across the Lifespan.”  On this show we will concentrate on heart conditions that are more likely to affect young women. We will discuss the following conditions: palpitations, tachycardia, pericarditis, conditions that may occur during pregnancy, and premature heart disease.

Stroke Symptoms Checklist

from the Stroke Health Center

A stroke happens when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). When this occurs, part of the brain no longer receives the oxygen it needs, and the tissue in that area starts to die.

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) consist of stroke-like symptoms, which go away shortly after starting and produce no lasting damage. Even if your symptoms disappear entirely, it is critical that you follow up with a health care professional to address your risk for future stroke.

Warning signs of stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding others
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden dizziness, loss of coordination or balance or trouble walking
• Sudden severe headache with no obvious cause

What to do if you think you’re having a stroke

If you experience any of the warning signs above, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital as soon as possible. Don’t wait to see if your symptoms improve or disappear. Treatments are available, and the sooner you can get to the hospital, the better your chance of a positive outcome.

Risk Factors for stroke

Risk factors are cumulative, so reducing even one will lower your overall risk of having a stroke.

• Age: The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55. In addition, researchers have noted a surge in strokes among women between 40 and 55 that can be tied to metabolic risk factors including increased abdominal weight and diabetes. There are also certain risk factors that apply directly to women under 55 (see below).
• Family history: If a parent, grandparent, sister or brother has had a stroke, you are at increased risk of having one too.
• Ethnic background: African Americans have stroke earlier in their lives and are twice as likely to die from stroke than are Caucasians, according to the National Stroke Association. Hispanic Americans and Native Americans also have increased risk for stroke. For these groups, higher rates of stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, may be responsible for higher rates of stroke.
• Prior stroke or TIA
• High blood pressure : High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor.  
• Heart disease or prior heart attack: Heart disease, including arterial disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation, can contribute to an increased risk of stroke.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking on its own is a significant risk factor for stroke. When oral contraceptives are used in combination with cigarette smoking, stroke risk is greatly increased.
• Poor diet: Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and/or sodium can increase stroke risk. In contrast, a diet containing five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce risk.
• Also: Diabetes, drug or alcohol abuse, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity or sickle cell anemia all can increase risk for stroke.

Risk factors especially important for women younger than 55

• Migraines: Women who suffer from migraines with visual disturbances can be up to 10 times more likely to suffer a stroke.
• Oral contraceptives: Women who take even a low-estrogen birth control pill may be twice as likely to have a stroke.
• Other risk factors: Autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes or lupus, clotting disorders, taking hormone replacement therapy, increased abdominal weight, multiple miscarriages or pregnancy.

For more on stroke, visit: www.healthywomen.org/healthcenter/stroke

© 2010 HealthyWomen All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from HealthyWomen. 1-877-986-9472 (toll-free). On the Web at: www.HealthyWomen.org.

Women Unaware of the Warning Signs of a Stroke

On average in this country it takes a woman 45 minutes longer to seek care for a heart attack or stroke. A new online survey may help explain why…

 Only one in four women aged 25 to 75 could name at least 2 symptoms of a stroke.

Women surveyed weren’t aware that women suffer more strokes than men.

One-quarter of the women surveyed were unaware that stroke could happen at any age.

Black and Hispanic women knew fewer facts about stroke than white women.

The main symptoms of a stroke are:

• Sudden difficulty speaking, understanding speech, or confusion
• Sudden numbness or weakness in the limbs, particularly on one side
• Sudden facial drooping or numbness and weakness on one side of the face
• Sudden balance problems, dizziness or trouble walking
• Sudden difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
• Sudden severe headache (the worst headache you’ve ever had in your life)

When someone has a stroke they may only experience one or two of these symptoms or may experience several symptoms depending on the location of the brain being affected.  A stroke is also called a “Brain Attack” so just like a heart attack you need to get to the hospital as quickly as possible in order to prevent permanent damage. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms call 911 and get to the hospital as quickly as possible!

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of stroke. Remember high blood pressure is called the silent killer because most people do not have any symptoms when their blood pressure is elevated. The only way to know for sure that your blood pressure is elevated is to get it checked on a regular basis.  Just because you are taking blood pressure medications does not mean your blood pressure is controlled. Goal blood pressure numbers for men and women are less than 120/80. If you do not know your blood pressure – what are you waiting for get it checked today.

For more heart healthy information please visit www.heart-strong.com

This online-only survey included 2,000 women in the United States, and was undertaken on behalf of HealthyWomen in conjunction with the American College of Emergency Physicians and National Stroke Association.

What’s Lurking in your Family Health Tree?

Have you ever investigated your roots and your family tree? Several years ago I was able to trace several of my great-grandparents back to the ship they traveled on when they arrived at Ellis Island.  While you are working on your family tree, why not piece together your family health history as well?

 The best place to start is with your immediate family.  Your parents, brothers and sisters have the closest genetic link to you and the greatest likelihood of sharing similar conditions or diseases.  Next, move on to your grandparents, aunts, uncles and as much extended family as possible.  You may uncover a lot of information about your family’s health that you were never aware of.

Are there certain diseases that run in your family?  Be sure to ask about the “BIG 4”- cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.  You should also inquire about some other common cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other unhealthy risk factors they may have had.  If a family member has had or died from a heart attack or stroke, were the overweight/obese, did they smoke or drink alcohol heavily, were they sedentary?  If your grandfather died form a heart attack but was obese, never exercised, smoked 2 packs per day for 30 years and drank excessive alcohol, these factors may have contributed more to his heart attack than genetics.  However, you cannot rule out a genetic influence as well.  Also, if anyone in your family has died from heart disease at an early age, you may be at increased risk for premature heart disease as well. Finally, if a family member has died due to an aneurysm, either in the brain or the chest/abdomen, you should also be screened.  Increased risk for aneurysms can also be inherited.

Try to find out the age at which your relatives developed certain conditions.  If your grandmother developed diabetes in her 70’s, it may not be a very strong genetic risk factor.  If she developed diabetes in her 20’s or 30’s, you may be at a higher risk of inheriting the gene.  The general rule is that the younger a person is when they develop a disease; the more likely it is to have a genetic or hereditary component.

For women, at what age did your mother or grandmother go through menopause?  Most women will become menopausal around the same age as her mother.  Remember, menopause is one of our strongest risk factors for heart disease.  If you have an idea as to when you may go through menopause, you can try to get all of your controllable risk factors at goal levels before this occurs.    

Make sure you investigate all diseases….from A to Z….Addison’s disease, Alzheimer’s, thyroid disease, etc. (not too many diseases start with Z, but you get the point).  Be thorough and put the information in a computer program or make a chart.  Share this information with your healthcare provider, your children and your family.  There is a lot you can learn by investigating your family’s health history and many diseases are preventable by making healthy lifestyle choices.  So what are you waiting for? Get moving, learn about your family’s history and make some lifesaving changes.

Carotid Artery Stenting vs Carotid Artery Surgery: Is there a Difference?

If you have a carotid stenosis you could be at an increased risk for a stroke. Carotid artery surgery (carotid endarterectomy) has been the treatment of choice for many years.  Carotid artery stenting is a less invasive option.  But for many years a controversy has existed – which is the better treatment? Carotid Endarterectomy or Carotid Stenting???

The CREST (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Vs Stenting Trial) was devised specifically to answer this question and the results were presented recently at the 2010 International Stroke Conference.  Over 2,500 patients were enrolled in this trial from 117 US and Canadian sites.  So what did the study show???

There was no significant difference in the risk of stroke, heart attack or death during the procedure and no difference in stroke during the 2.5 year follow-up period.

People over 69 years of age had better outcomes with surgery and people younger than 69 had better outcomes with stenting.

There was no difference in outcomes among men and women or symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Dr Wesley Moore who was a co-principal investigator in this study stated that stroke rates were lower with carotid surgery but when heart attacks were added to the adverse outcomes the results of the two procedures became similar.

What must be remembered is that only the most experienced physicians and hospitals were included in this study.  So in order to receive the same benefits and low rate of adverse outcomes with either procedure you need to make sure you undergo a procedure at a hospital with a physician who is well experienced.

Looking for more health and wellness info visit www.heart-strong.com