I remember the feeling of joy when I knew that I was pregnant with my first son 24 years ago.  I also felt trepidation.  There was so much that could go wrong and there was much that I wanted to learn and wanted to do for myself and my unborn child.

At that time studies had shown that the lack of folic acid in our diet may result in birth defects such as Spina bifida.  My obstetrician educated me to choose the best foods to eat as well as prescribed a daily multi vitamin.  We knew by the late 80’s that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption was associated health risks to our fetus.

Today studies on caffeine have also been documented with possible adverse effects.   Increasingly we are learning that elements in our  environmental are affecting our babies such as PCB’s.

Two Metabolic disorders hypertension and Diabetes  occurring during pregnancy can be dangerous to mother and baby.    “The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia – or “toxemia of pregnancy”–which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.” ( http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DiabetesPregnancy/)

Research has continued to show that Gestational diabetes may negatively affect mother and child during pregnancy as well as in the future.

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DiabetesPregnancy/

A woman with gestational diabetes has a higher increase change of:

•High blood pressure

•Preeclampsia

•Kidney disease

•Nerve damage

•Heart disease

•Blindness

Also, a woman with preexisting diabetes whose blood sugar remains high has an increased chance of:

• Miscarriage
• Preterm birth
• Stillbirth
• C-section

Our baby’s health is affected negatively by the increased blood sugar.

• Birth defects, especially of the brain, spine, and heart
• Increased birth weight
• Nerve damage to the shoulder during delivery
• Low blood sugar after birth
• Increased chance of overweight, obesity, and/or diabetes later in life

We are living in a world that with each day new scientific studies give us insight to our bodies and how outside elements affect our growth and well-being.

Cigarette smoking was vaguely linked to ill health in the early 1900’s.  However with continue research by 1960 the science was in.  Cigarettes smoking contributed to increased illness and premature death.  (http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/cu/CU26.html)

“The data incriminating cigarette smoking as a health hazard were reviewed in a report of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1962, and in the Consumers Union Report on Smoking and the Public Interest in 1963. These reports, however, reached only hundreds of thousands of people; publicity was relatively limited in the mass media.

However on January 11, 1964, a turning point was reached. The Report of the Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health, published amid unprecedented worldwide fanfare in the mass media, convinced even most smokers that cigarette smoking shortens human life, causes lung cancer and other forms of cancer, and exacerbates heart disease, emphysema, bronchitis, and a number of other illnesses––– gravely increasing the risk of dying of them.” http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/cu/CU26.html

Science has confirmed that cigarettes, alcohol, hypertension, type 2 Diabetes and lack of folic acid may have negative outcomes on a mother’s health and that of her fetus.  Science has shown that obesity increases the risk factors for chronic degenerative diseases in our population.

Obesity is an escalating metabolic disorder that may a factor in Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Like most studies this study does not give us clear answers however more questions have been raised.   It is not clear as to how it may contribute however we do know that excess weight has adverse consequences to our health and well-being.  We have another reason to work at creating a lifestyle that promotes a healthy weight.

Exercise is a tool to promote weight loss and maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise is a positive lifestyle element for us all.   “For the mother to be exercise helps with constipation, muscle cramps, fatigue, back pain, strength and stamina, mood, sleep and a quicker recovery”(http://www.citytv.com/cityline/health/parentingpregnancy/article/46856–8-healthy-lifestyle-choices-for-pregnant-women).

Both men and women can focus on improving their health and well-being before becoming parents.  Healthy habits will transcend into your newly formed family and you will enjoy the added strength and stamina which you will need to provide for your newborn.

Exercise

This is a time when we have new knowledge almost daily of the benefits of exercise.  I enjoy listening to the Doctors station while driving to and from work and they always recommend exercise as the first course of action for many who call in with issues such as sleeplessness, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, arthritis etc.   They recommend exercise for those that have to take medications for any of the chronic degenerative diseases and they recommend exercise along with healthy diet options for weight loss.

Our government guidelines outline that we should perform cardiovascular activity (walking etc.) 5 days a week for 30 minutes.  This is not for weight loss but for general health.  We need to move our bodies to stimulate natural hormone activity, proper digestion and to maintain general health to name a few benefits.  Between the ages of 30 and 50 we have lost much strength in our muscles.  One estimate is over 47 percent of quadriceps strength which leads to difficulty in performing our daily activities.  Weekly resistant training (2 days a week for 30 minutes) will improve strength and power in our muscles. 

For the average person, both young and old, this will translate into improved physical ability through increased balance of muscle and strength.   Resistance training is a win – win.   You expend much energy lifting and the after burn or calorie burn from this type of exercise can be for days afterwards.  The increased metabolic energy helps with weight loss and maintaining weight which is a struggle for the majority of our society.  The best part of resistance training for the average person is the improvement in our activities of daily life.

I often hear from people that they are tired and they do not understand why.  Their jobs are not physically demanding and they spend much time driving so why are they so tired at the end of the day?   With muscle atrophy or reduced muscle strength it takes more effort for our body to function.   This happens to all of us if we do not perform consistent resistance training two times a week. 

Cardiovascular exercise will improve you at the cellular level.  First you will stimulate important hormones that increase brain power by growing additional brain cells and increased your neural pathway which helps log and process information.   This aids us in stimulating new muscle and the ability to learn additional skills.  Through exercise we have the ability to  prevent degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer.   Adequate stress through cardiovascular exercise improves the function of our heart and cardiovascular system as a whole.  We see the results in lower resting heart rate and lower blood pressure and we feel this in our daily lives through increased energy.  Taking the time to exercise will improve your stamina and improve your ability to accomplish your daily tasks.

One of the best effects exercise has on our body is it helps relieve stress.  The stress hormone cortisol is directly related to many chronic diseases, the common cold and increased abdominal fat.  Please take a look at this article for more information.  http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/chronic-stress-feeds-common-cold-study-finds/story?id=16054304.

We are told daily the importance of exercise and that we should incorporate in our daily lives.   I wish for you to make a step in the direction to get moving.  I do know that when my clients want to exercise they feel and see results.  It does work best if we want to do it and  many say we should not exercise for anyone else but ourselves.   However how many people race or walk for a cause?  They are dedicating their time and energy for that event for the purpose of supporting or raising money for someone else.  I believe this is a great way to begin.  Find a catalyst to motivate you.   Exercise is not easy however we can make it manageable and fun by seeking out activities that we are good at, that stimulate our interest and may be social and are fun. 

A client has been concerned about the side effects of statins, please take the time to read this short article as I found it informative I think you will too.

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/29/10541444-warning-on-statins-fda-more-open-about-risks

Here are Scary statistics

• Heart disease now kills half of all Americans.

• Every 26 seconds someone in the US has a cardiac event. And once every minute someone dies.

• The vast majority of us, by the time we’ve reached a fairly ripe age, have advanced atherosclerosis in our blood vessels.

• And when you have the diagnosis of coronary heart disease, it’s a diagnosis you carry for life.

• more than 600,000 people die annually of heart disease, and another 135,000 from stroke

• Despite the best today’s doctors can offer there is no cure for any form of heart disease.

Exercise is the best method to prevent heart disease and stroke

•Only 3 in 10 adults get the recommended amount of physical activity

•More than 30% of U.S. kids are overweight in 30 states (CDC)

•Costs: In 1998 the medical costs of obesity were about $78.5 billion (50% financed by Medicare and Medicaid); in 2008 costs doubled to about $147 billion.

•Overweight and especially obesity increases risk for heart attack and artery blockage.

 •You double the risk for high blood pressure if you’re overweight, especially if you have abdominal obesity

 • 75 and 65 % of the cases of hypertension in men and women, respectively, are directly attributable to overweight and obesity.

Stroke

 •Obese men (BMI > 30) have double the risk for stroke compared to healthy weight-maintainers (BMI < 23).

 •Obese women or those who have gained more than 44 pounds since age 18 have double the risk for stroke, compared to healthy weight-maintainers.

 •Women who gain between 22 – 44 pounds since 18 have double the risk for stroke.

 •The most important factors increasing risk for stroke include high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

• Heart Disease Kills More Women than Breast Cancer

• Women are More Likely to Die of a Heart Attack

The best method to date to prevent heart attack or stroke is with healthy lifestyle choices.  Now is the time to ask for help to learn the best methods for you to begin an exercise program and improve your eating habits.

One of the biggest contributing factors is stress.  Join a relaxing yoga class or get a massage.

You have the power to make a change in your life.

 Will these Scary Statistics get you to make a move.   I hope so because the odds are against us.  It is a few who are in a healthy weight range, it is a few that do not suffer from high cholesterol and hypertension (which are precursors to heart disease).

The best method to a healthier life is to begin a fitness routine that is suitable to your needs.

We want to be active daily for our lifetime.

My goal for this month was to talk about our heart muscle and the importance of strengthening it with cardiovascular exercise and implementing healthy lifestyle choices.  When we take the initiative to get our body moving we can make significant improvements in our health and quality of life.

In the Studio this month I am happy with our progress.   A few new clients have begun their journey to create healthy lifestyle habits while others have used such words as “I am loving this accelerated program”.   We focus on progression.  This refers to exercise, food choices and healthy habits.  We all start at a different place and our progression occurs at our own rate.

We usually do not start out in an accelerated program.  Here is a brief story of one client.   She was in less than optimal health when we began working together four years ago.  She was diagnosed with osteoporosis as well as other back ailments.   She had suffered from seizures that damaged her cognitive brain function.   Her posture was poor, she was exhausted and she had low muscle strength.  However she had great resolve to enhance her physical and mental wellbeing.  She wanted to improve her quality of life.  She is a young woman.  Now in her fifty’s she is fit and strong.

She has improved her quality of life because of her commit to seeing me once a week.  She states “I needed Sue to teach me how to exercise my body in such a way that I would not injury myself.  I wanted to become stronger and fit.  I had serious medical issues but still needed to work.  Being self-employed I had to keep my company afloat.  I had to take care of my son and perform all the tasks of daily living even though I was exhausted and in pain.   I committed to working with Sue every Friday morning, she instructed, motivated, and encouraged me.”

I modified her routine to best fit her needs.  I wanted her to feel good about her physical ability, have fun during the session and improve her “chronic illnesses”.

Today she has improved immensely due to her determination and perseverance.   Her chronic illness have mostly been resolved.    Currently she has progressed to 2 days a week and is experiencing greater achievements in her physical and mental ability.    We can become stronger, fitter and improve our quality of life as we age.  My client says “I am healthier and happier.  My life as well as my business has prospered.  It is worth the investment to work with Sue.  I have grown my business, enjoying my family and social life.  Starting my day, with my now accelerated program makes for a better day. “

We ran the Bradford Valentines race Saturday and it was great!  I loved that the weather held out and it was dry and warm (about 30 degrees is good)  and no wind.  My husband and I chose the couples race, I ran the 5 mile and he the 6K.  This is the first time I ran the longer portion, at first I was skeptical about my ability however I enjoyed the race, felt strong and loved the course.

Last Sunday I ran the Frigid 5 in Newburyport and did my best time.  Again we had great weather to run.  I pushed my self and with each mile I kept pace.  I finished strong and was happy.

The Bradford Valentine race course is hilly and most often it is windy however I felt strong going up the hills and with no wind I had much energy at the 3 mile point I was able to push strong and finished in a good time for me.  That is the key about running.  We can run for fun, run to beat our previous time or run for a medal.

 Now as I run, I am amazed at how strong my heart is.  I know it has improved by how I feel, I know it has improved because of my numbers (blood pressure, resting heart rate, recovery heart rate)  have greatly improved.  I have good energy throughout the day and mentally I feel alert, focused and in good spirits.

 This is heart awareness month and in the past week personally I have heard of too many suffering from heart attacks or serious heart problems.  Plan your valentines celebration with heart health in mind.  Choose an activity were you and your partner can walk.  Enjoy a delicious heart friendly meal of wild salmon a little red wine and finish with a little dark chocolate.

________________________________________________________________

One of the best changes I have done for myself is taking a daily supplement.  I have chosen Usana Health Sciences and for the past 3 years I have steadily improved.  One of my mentors is Kathy Kaehler.  She is a personal trainer who works with many celebrities.  I met her at our Usana convention and enjoyed a brief but heartfelt conversation.  She also supplements with Usana Health Sciences.  I have posted her blog below because she expresses what I tell my clients.  I live the lifestyle that she writes about and I teach my clients.

As she writes, I am worried about the heart health of Americans.  We do have the information and guidelines to follow however with our busy lives we find it difficult to put our own health first.  If we do not make the time to get moving, choose better food and practice stress reduction we will continue to stress our cardiovascular systems.

I now am taking the time to listen to relaxation/meditation on my ipod.  I always incorporate healthy foods daily and I am on my way out the door to walk/run my dog before I go back to work.

 http://www.kathykaehler.net/blog/the-only-heart-that-counts-is-the-one-in-your-chest/

The only heart that counts is the one in your chest.

Hearts are everywhere during the month of February. You see them as crafts in magazines, in cards and on cooking shows for that decadent homemade treat. I even made a Sweet Beet soup with a drizzle of Greek yogurt in the shape of a heart for my Sunday Set-Up™ Club, www.sundaysetup.com All because Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the heart symbol is front and center.

The month of February also celebrates the heart, however in a completely different way. Make A Date With Your Heart as February is American Heart Month. This year, more than 1 million Americans will have a heart attack or stroke, making heart disease the leading cause of death in men and women in this country. What is even more shocking is that I can’t believe people still don’t get it. Do you really want to be one of those statistics? It is hard to miss the message as it is everywhere, from Dr. Oz to major network segments on healthy living, newspapers, magazines, your doctor and even products in the supermarket offering healthier choices. Obviously people just don’t think anything will happen to them if they stay on the reckless living path. Interestingly, the medical community is jumping on board a little more these days in that 1 out of 3 patients are being given the recommendation to exercise which is up from last year’s 1 out of 4. Come on people, we can’t keep getting fatter and more out of shape. We need to keep pushing the message which is just what Goals of Millions Hearts™ is doing. The Million Hearts™ initiative seeks to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by the end of 2016. I say lets help and try to get it done before that. Small changes that you can do right now will make a big difference. Like quit smoking already, I mean you can barely smoke anywhere anyway and doesn’t the commercial with that woman talking out of tube gasping for air give you incentive to quit? Stop driving through the drive thru for meals. You must know by now that you’d probably get less salt in your system by licking a salt lick. Start moving, just like the doctor says. We have continued to live this life of slouch , sluggish, seated overweight blobs that wander from chair to chair. At least add a 15 minute walk everyday. You can certainly figure out a way to do that for your heart, couldn’t you?
Below are some tips.

The best way I know to get your heart in better shape is to keep in mind your heart is a muscle. To make that muscle stronger and more powerful you have to work it and fight for it. There are tremendous benefits from exercise that are too long to list however, some still think that exercising is like a chore so I’d rather call it being more active. MOVE YOUR BODY, maybe this will help. You know how when you go away for a long time and you ask someone to take your car out for a drive, run the engine, why wouldn’t you do that for your body? Our bodies are just like a machine and need to be worked to stay in good running condition. All you need is 20 to 30 minutes of exercise that keeps your heart at 60% to 70% of your maximum heart beat rate. For adults that is about 110 beats per minute. Walking fast is ideal, which is not a window shopping stroll. Increased breathing that is hard and fast. Even better is to jog or even run if your joints can take it. Interval training has a number of benefits. This is one of the most simplest and powerful things one can do to keep the heart healthy. So combine the walk with a run or a flat walk combined with walking hills. Anything to get the heart rate up.

Build a Support System to Help with Stress.
Start by talking to your spouse, family, and close friends about your health and how to manage the stress in your life. They may be able to help you reduce, or alleviate certain stressors.
Recognize Your Stress Triggers.
Learn to identify the things in your life that can trigger stress. Your job, certain relationships with family, friends, driving in traffic, the economy, personal health issues or others and try to figure out ways to either avoid those triggers and most importantly how to cope.

How can I relax?
It can be as easy as taking 20 minutes to simply sit and think, to take a bath, an activity that soothes you, like reading, listening to music or my favorite is to lie down place one hand over your belly button and the other hand over your chest. Breath deep through the belly and feel if rise and fall. Your stress melts to your toes and out of the body.

One of the best ways to manage the stress in your life is to learn the word NO. We live in a life of busy, morning noon and night. It is crazy living! Avoid taking on more responsibilities or social obligations. Set boundaries on your calendar by putting a big red X through days where you can just do what you want to do.

Celebrate Valentines day with your cards, dark chocolate (anti-oxidant) and red wine, however keep the celebrating going all month long and do what you can to improve the health of the most important heart of all. Get a heart check up. Know your family history. Eat better. Move more. Floss your teeth and breath deep.

Now…before you think about another thing. Turn off your computer, stand up and go take a walk around the block.

Kathy

Posted by Kathy

]]> http://www.suecullenptstudio.com/02/13/plan-a-heart-healthy-valentines-with-your-partner/feed/ 0 http://www.suecullenptstudio.com/02/04/happy-valentines-celebrate-with-chocolate-cake/ http://www.suecullenptstudio.com/02/04/happy-valentines-celebrate-with-chocolate-cake/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:44:16 +0000 Sue http://www.suecullenptstudio.com/?p=742 Continue reading →]]>

HERSHEY’S “PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

•          2 cups sugar

•          1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

•          3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa

•          1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

•          1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

•          1 teaspoon salt

•          2 eggs

•          1 cup milk

•          1/2 cup vegetable oil

•          2 teaspoons vanilla extract

•          1 cup boiling water

•          “PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING (recipe follows)

Directions

1.        1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2.        2 Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3.        3 Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with “PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.

VARIATIONS:

ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

“PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine

2/3 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.

Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

I made this cake with less sugar (1 1/2cups)   keeping the icing  as directed and it was wonderful.  It did not stick to the pan and after it cooled it frosted wonderfully. 

Many like the convenience of a box cake.  It is a bit easier than this one however when you make it yourself you have control in choosing your ingredients.  Use fresh all natural ingredients. 

 Box recipes have additives and artificial ingredients and it seems that this is what most of us are accustomed too and prefer.  This can be disheartening for the person taking extra time to create a cake from scratch.

This recipe takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare.  It is fun to spend time with your children teaching them the basics of cooking food for themselves.  I enjoyed cooking and baking with my boys and now that they are on their own I am thrilled to hear them tell me about the dinners that they make for themselves.   They include much pasta, meatloaf, eggs and bacon.  Not what I would chose but they are cooking for themselves and their taste.  They know how to cook and I believe it is a skill that connects families and friends.  It is imperative for our health to know where our food originates and  the process behind it.  

Food is fuel and this cake is calorie dense so I suggest you enjoy a wonderful walk with your partner, friend or children to enjoy one of our vivid sunsets.

 It may be a bit cold out but this really is great weather for a walk out doors.  It takes more energy for our bodies to warm up so we expend additional energy now than if it was warmer out.  

During my daily activities I stand whenever possible.  I work out every day including cardiovascular, resistance or flexibility training.  I stand when talking on the phone and most of the time when working on my computer.  I walk on the treadmill at a slow pace or peddle slowly on the recumbent bike while doing research.  I like that we have put television in front of our cardio equipment because we need to encourage our population to move for their health and for many it is not fun and difficult.  Watching your favorite show will increase adherence and make the time more bearable for many.   I see our future with work stations where we can stand up and walk on a slow treadmill for a short duration while conversing and working.

We need to stand and move more each day.  One hour of physical activity in a day of eight plus hours of sitting has increased weight gain and chronic degenerative diseases.

Exercise sessions may only be one hour a day while office work and travel time can be more than 8 hours a day of sedentary behavior.

I feel better when I stand.   When I sit I compress my spine, my shoulders roll forward and my chest tightens.  I feel discomfort in my hips, legs and calves.  Standing keeps my body in a healthier position activating major muscles of my abdominals, legs and back.   Also I expend on average 50 more calories per hour.   I use the stairs; walk to visit my friends, and to do my shopping.    Incorporating movement and standing during the day is needed to improve our health I encourage my clients to add this to their daily routines.

Please read more

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011/10/training/racing-weight-are-you-sitting-too-much_41900

watch this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGh1JvwVudw&feature=player_embedded

I had 2 risk factors of heart disease and at the age of 36 and I was in the hospital performing a treadmill stress test.   I had very high blood pressure and a strong family history of heart attacks.  My father had two in his early thirties.  My stress test results showed a strong cardiovascular system and I was put on medication for my hypertension.   At the time I thought my doctor may have over reacted however they are comparing a stress test to a mammogram.  It is a good idea to have one if you have at least 2 risk factors.  This test can be used as a baseline for follow up tests.

It was a catalyst for me to rethink my daily lifestyle choices.

Eleven years later I feel better, look better and my numbers are all fantastic.   I have worked to create a healthier lifestyle that has rewarded me by improving my health.   The first method to improve our risk factors for heart disease is to begin an appropriate exercise program.

The following article is reprinted from:  http://cardiology.net/heartnews/Heart-Attacks-Hit-MiddleAged-Women

Heart attack risk is rising in U.S. women — decades earlier than you might expect. Find out why, and what women can do about it.

“I never thought it could happen to me.”

That’s how Rose Rench reacted when doctors told her she was having a heart attack. At age 46, Rench was bewildered when she suddenly couldn’t catch her breath while out for a walk on a sunny spring day. “I was young, I was 130 pounds, and I’d quit smoking a month before. I was healthy. But I couldn’t breathe.”

Rench tells WebMD that she somehow drove herself home, but couldn’t rest; her mind raced as she tried to gasp for breath. “I thought maybe I was having an asthma attack, though I’d never had asthma before. But I never thought of a heart attack,” she says.

Rench drove herself to the emergency room, where tests showed an 80% blockage in two of the arteries bringing blood and nutrients to her heart. She immediately underwent a procedure to open those clogged arteries and keep them open with stents, which are tiny mesh tubes used to treat blockages.

Rench’s story isn’t as rare as you might think. A recent study shows that heart attacks are rising among middle-aged women, who have long been thought to be protected against heart disease — at least until they reach menopause and lose the protective effect of the hormone estrogen.

What’s behind that alarming trend — and what can women do to protect themselves from having a heart attack in middle age? The answers, heart experts tell WebMD, are all about raising awareness and taking action.

Heart Attacks Rising in Middle-Aged Women

Here’s a quick look at the rising heart attack rate among middle-aged U.S. women.

That trend, reported in 2009, is based on more than 8,000 U.S. men and women aged 35-54 studied between 1988-1994 and 1999-2004.

During both time periods, heart attacks were more common among men than women. But men’s heart attack rate dropped from 2.5% to 2.2%, while women’s heart attack rate rose from 0.7% to 1%.

In short, heart attack rates headed down for men, and up for women.

Why? Men had a few things going for them. Their blood pressure dropped, their HDL (“good”) cholesterol improved, and they were less likely than women to smoke.

“The lower rates of smoking, improved blood pressure levels, and improved HDL among men suggest that educational campaigns aimed at men are working,” says researcher Amytis Towfighi, MD, of the University of Southern California.

But women showed only one positive trend: an improvement in their HDL cholesterol level. They also had two major drawbacks: a higher rate of smoking and an uptick in diabetes, most likely because of obesity.

Heart Attack Hazard: Obesity

About 35% of U.S. women are obese, according to the CDC. And those extra pounds pack a cardiovascular threat.

“We used to think obesity was a risk factor simply because it is associated with established risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes and high cholesterol levels. But now we recognize that by itself, it increases risk,” says Martha L. Daviglus, MD, PhD, professor of preventive medicine and medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.

Please continue reading:

http://cardiology.net/heartnews/Heart-Attacks-Hit-MiddleAged-Women

Mill City Relay 2011 after Party!

This winter my husband and I have made the time on the weekends to cross country ski, snowshoe and skate up in Maine where there is snow!  Here we have been running with our dog (Luvie).  

For Valentines my husband and I are planning to run the Bradford Valentine Road Race.   We have run this race a few times and it is has become a tradition.   I have begun to enjoy the anticipation of this race.  Last year it was so cold and snowy that I did not run outside much.  I found running this race enjoyable and safe because it was well marked, we could run in the road where there was less ice and Haverhill police controlled traffic. 

It can be extremely cold and windy however with the new technology in running gear I can be protected from the frigid temperatures.   The gifts to the runners are special too, a carnation from Steve’s, a small box of chocolates and a long sleeve t-shirt.  They offer warm soup, oranges, bananas, yogurt and much more for the runners.

My husband is the runner of the family.  I began running a few years ago.  It was important to me to try to run as I wanted to add another dimension to our relationship.  I found it very difficult and I was a bit cranky however his patience got me through the initial stages.  Today I find it amazing.   The transformation running creates on both our moods is remarkable.  We may be stressed or tired when we leave for a run however when we return our mood changes to calm, focus and happy.     

It is a low cost activity that has brought so much to my life.  We have both joined the Andover Striders a running club which prides themselves on being low key runners for fun.  I have learnt much from this less organized group.   They tend to run on their own and join each other for fun runs and a few races throughout the year.  I find this a great mix as I am extremely busy.  The best part of running is that it can be done most anywhere with little equipment.  Running alone relaxes and keeps me focused on my needs,  with a partner I find motivation and commitment  and in a group I find support and my competitivespirit.  I enjoy this mix. 

Please continue reading the research on couples making time for fun make a plan for your Valentines.

Now research from the University of Denver supports the idea that finding moments to be together free of financial, family or other stresses — just to have fun together — is not an indulgence.

“The more you invest in fun and friendship and being there for your partner, the happier the relationship will get over time,” says Howard Markman, a psychologist who co-directs the university’s Center for Marital and Family Studies.

“The correlation between fun and marital happiness is high, and significant.”

Read more at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-15-fun-in-marriage_N.htm.