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h2uat North Hills Hospital4401 Booth Calloway RoadNorth Richland Hills,TX 76180

UnderstandingHeart Disease

ISSUE FOCUS:

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9

Deadlines.Mounting bills. Scheduling appointments.For most of us,these stressors are part of daily

living.But recent studies suggest thatover time, these everyday frustrationscan actually be damaging to the heart.

A 12-year study of British officeworkers, conducted throughUniversity College London, foundthat those who experiencedchronic work stress were 68 per-cent more likely to have coro-nary heart disease than thosewho did not feel stressed.

The researchers followedmore than 10,000 civil serviceemployees,keeping track oftheir attitudes toward theirjob,heart rate variability,blood pressure and theamount of cortisol(known as the stresshormone) in their blood.Lifestyle habits, including diet, smok-ing,physical activity and alcohol con-sumption were also noted.

The researchers detaileda series of biologicalchanges triggered by

stress, and connected them to overallheart health.

Over time, stress disturbed the auto-nomic nervous system (the system thatcontrols involuntary bodily functions),appearing to cause “cardiac instability.”

In a study conducted at the Universityof Iowa, researchers evaluated a group of

police officers. The researchers notedthat the stress officers deal with day-to-day results in cardiovascular dis-ease at a rate twice that of the gen-eral population.

While research on the connec-tion between stress and hearthealth continues, the need forstress management becomes moreclear with each study.

“It’s important to be aware of howstress can impact your health,” saysDavid Slife,DO,Cardiologist at NorthHills Hospital. “So making an effort to

manage stress should be part of yourhealth routine.” Carving out some time

to relax is vital, though some people mayalso need to learn specific relaxation tech-

niques,such as yoga ormeditation.

Hard on the HeartLong term stress can lead to heart disease

To learn more about managingstress,visit www.h2u.com

Special Events inFebruaryCPR Know-How

Monday,Feb.2

Taking Control of Your Diabetes: Part 3

Thursday,Feb.5

Digital MammographyTuesday,Feb.17

Chat with the CardiologistWednesday,Feb.25

UPDATE

Stories about falling in lovealways mention the momentwhen the heart races,or starts to

flutter,or even skips a beat at the sight ofa beloved.Poetically, that’s romance.Medically, that’s arrhythmia.

The occasional hiccup in the heart isprobably nothing to worry about.Arrhythmia, an abnormal or irregularheartbeat, is very common,especially aswe age.But some arrhythmias can bedangerous,especially for people withother heart problems.

Symptoms such as shortness ofbreath, rapid thumping in the chest, feel-ing light-headed or passing out, indicatethe need for a visit to the doctor. WhenBob, 50, began noticing these symptomsperiodically over the summer, he madean appointment to have his heartchecked out. After a stress test, he wasdiagnosed with an arrhythmia.Doctorssaid he may have had this since birth, orit may have developed following histriple-bypass surgery 18 years earlier.

A physician can evaluate the situationand determine if heart-monitoring testsshould be conducted.There are a num-ber of tests your doctor may prescribe.An electrocardiogram is one of themost common tests, and is taken whilethe patient is lying down. A Holtermonitor,worn by the patient through-out the day, records the rhythms of theheart for a full day.Cardiac electrophysi-ology uses electrodes to record theelectrical signals ofthe heart, and mapelectrical impulsesduring each beat, andcan also be used tocorrect the arrhythmia.

Some arrhythmias can be treated withmedication.Serious cases require moreaggressive treatment.For example,manywho suffer from a slow heartbeat havean artificial pacemaker inserted underthe skin on the chest to help the heartkeep a regular beat. Surgery or defibrilla-tion (an electric shock to the heart) are

other possible treatments.In Bob’s case,electrophysiology, a min-

imally invasive procedure,was necessarybut easily corrected the problem.“Atfirst I was afraid to go in because Ithought they were going to crack mychest open again,” he admits.“But it waspretty simple, and very easy to recuper-ate from — and it saved my life.”

CPR: Know-How that Counts

Aloved one suddenly experiences cardiac arrest. Wouldyou be able to save them? If you were the victim,couldthose around you help? These are two important

questions,when you consider that effective CPR (cardiopul-monary resuscitation) can triple a victim’s chance for survival.

According to the American Heart Association, approximate-ly 94 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reach-ing the hospital. And 85 percent of all sudden heart attackshappen either at home or work.When the heart stops, the absenceof oxygenated blood flowing to thebrain can cause irreversible damageand death in a matter of minutes.

The AHA recently released astatement urging a national effort toincrease the use of CPR.“Bystandercardiopulmonary resuscitation rates

are woefully inadequate, resulting in an enormous missedopportunity to save lives from cardiac arrest,” said Benjamin S.Abella,M.D., clinical research director for the Center forResuscitation Science at the University of Pennsylvania.

In an effort to increase the number of individuals who knowCPR, the AHA has created the CPR Anytime Personal LearningProgram and educational website,www.CPRanytime.org. Theprogram targets the general public,most of whom are not like-

ly to attend a CPR certification class.Through the website, visitors can pur-chase a CPR Anytime kit that includes aninflatable Manikin and educational DVD.The program promises to teach coreCPR skills in just 22 minutes.

Approximately 1.25 million people inthe U.S.experience a heart attack eachyear.CPR can give them a second chance.

Is that Heart Flutter Harmless?

Arrhythmia terms:Tachycardia – Fast heart rate,more than 100 beats per minuteBradycardia – Slow heart rate, less than 60 beats per minute

When people think of a heart attack, they put theemphasis on attack and imagine an all-consumingpain that cannot be ignored.Classic heart attack

symptoms are tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, sud-den dizziness, and pain in one or both arms.These symptomsapply to both genders. Among female heart attack sufferers,chest pain tends to be milder and experienced as discomfort inthe center of the chest. It also tends to come and go,and lastmore than a few minutes.

In addition to the classic symptoms,women are more likely toexperience “atypical” symptoms such as nausea,vomiting, indiges-tion,weakness, fatigue,plus back,neck or jaw pain.

Shortness of breath is more common among women, whilesweating during a heart attack is more prevalent in men.Studies show that those with shortness of breath were threeto five times more likely to die from a heart attack than thosewithout these symptoms.

While heart disease is the number one killer of both menand women,more women of all ages die of heart attacks thantheir male counterparts. The Women’s Heart Foundationreports that women often take two to four hours longer thanmen to respond to heart attack symptoms. That time can besignificant. Treatment with clot-busting drugs,which can openup a blocked artery and stop the heart attack, is most effectivewhen administered immediately.

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation reports that pre-heart attack symptoms may be present up to six months

before a heart attack occurs (some people may experiencesymptoms up to two years in advance). Recognize that heartattacks affect people differently. And even though your symp-toms could be nothing, you cannot afford to ignore them. If youexperience any of the symptoms described above or thinkyou’re having a heart attack, get checked right away.

Women More Likely to Die from Heart AttacksAction Plan• Be prepared

• Call 911 immediately

• Chew 1 - 2 aspirin (162 mg to 325 mg)

• If available,put a nitroglycerintablet under your tongue

• Know the address of the nearesthospital with emergency cardiaccare facilities readily available

• Have your resting ECG available if youhave had the test before

• Keep a list of medication youare taking and/or anymedication allergies

Source:Heart Healthy Women

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack Men and Women may experience:

■■ Chest pain or discomfort■■ Shortness of breath■■ Cold sweat■■ Light-headedness■■ Pain in the upper body:

arm, back, neck, jaw or stomach

Additional symptoms,particularly in women:

■■ Nausea■■ Vomiting■■ Weakness■■ Indigestion■■ Back,neck or jaw pain■■ FatigueSource: American Heart Association

New Artificial Heart: Nearly 20,000 peoplearound the world do not get the heart trans-plant they need,because there aren’t enoughdonor organs.Of those who do receive heartdonations, about 25 percent will experienceheart rejection by their body. A solution to bothissues may soon arrive. A new artificial heart,made completely from biosynthetic tissues andpowered with external batteries,has been devel-oped by Carmat, a biomedical company inFrance.Because it originates with animal tissue,the material is less likely to be rejected by thebody. If testing proves successful, this new artifi-cial heart may be available as an alternative totransplant as early as 2013.

HEALTHY HEADLINES

*Exercise! *Exercise!

2:00 p.m.Let’s Play Games,NHH Cafeteria

*Exercise!

11:30 a.m.Grief SupportGroup

1:00 p.m.Diabetes Part 3

*Exercise! *Exercise! *Exercise!

VALENTINE’SDAY

*Exercise!

11:30 a.m.Alzheimer’sEducationalSupport Group

PRESIDENT’SDAY

*Exercise!

11:30 a.m.DigitalMammography

*Exercise!

8:00 a.m.Breakfast at NorthHills Hospital,NHH Cafeteria

*Exercise!

11:30 a.m.Grief SupportGroup

*Exercise!

6:30 p.m.Diabetes SupportGroup

*Exercise! *Exercise!

9:00 a.m.Chapter Meeting,RHUMC

5:00 p.m.Chat with theCardiologist

*Exercise!

*Exercise!

11:30 a.m.CPR Know-How

*Exercise!

11:00 a.m.Lunch Bunch,Ernie’s SeafoodRestaurant,8206 BedfordEuless Rd.NRH

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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Calendar of Events February

UPDATE

All events heldin the AustinClassroom,Suite202,NHHMedical OfficeBuilding,unlessotherwise indi-cated

Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!*Monday,Wednesday,Thursday

6:30 - 8:00 a.m.10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday6:30 - 1:00 p.m.1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Cardiac Rehab,Room 103,Prof.OfficeBuilding,North Hills Hospital

Let’s Play GamesWednesday,Feb.4Every first Wednesday2:00 - 4:00 p.m.North Hills Hospital CafeteriaJoin h2u members for a time of fun andfellowship.Bring your favorite dice game,card game,dominos,etc., so everyonecan enjoy playing.Refreshments will beprovided.Call the h2u office at (817) 255-1046 if you have questions.

Taking Control of YourDiabetesThursday,Feb.51:00 p.m.Austin Classroom,Suite 202NHH Medical Office BuildingCarleen Stout RN,CDE,will be present-ing Part 3 of this three part series withinformation and updates on the latesttrends and treatments for diabetes.Topics include expectations,managementand meal planning.Bring your questions,ideas to share and a family member forsupport if you wish.The series will berepeated as participation warrants.Call(817) 255-1046 for information on thenext series.

Lunch BunchWednesday,Feb.11Every Second Wednesday11:00 a.m.Ernie’s Seafood Restaurant8206 Bedford Euless Rd.NRHDutch treatEach month h2u members gather at anarea restaurant for lunch.Try restaurantsyou've never visited and enjoy oldfavorites in the company of good friends.

Breakfast at North HillsHospitalWednesday,Feb.18Every third Wednesday8:00 - 9:00 a.m.NHH Cafeteria

20 percent discount for h2umembersCome have breakfast with your fellowh2u members.

Chapter MeetingWednesday,Feb.25Every fourth Wednesday9:00 a.m.Richland Hills United MethodistChurch,Reeves Hall, 7301Glenview Drive,North RichlandHills

Refreshments start at 8:30 a.m.Meet withfriends and find out what’s new with yourh2u chapter.Brent McIlvain, financial advi-sor with Edward Jones will speak aboutinvestments.Bring your paperback booksto trade for some great reads.We encour-age new members to come,get acquaint-ed and get involved.

SUPPORT GROUPSGrief Support GroupThursday,Feb.5 and 1911:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Austin Classroom,Suite 202NHH Medical Office BuildingNorth Hills Senior Clinic and VitasHospice Care offer a free grief supportgroup to those individuals grieving theloss of a loved one.Contact Terri Givensat (817) 255-1943 to register as lunchwill be provided.

Alzheimer’s EducationalSupport GroupMonday,Feb.16Every third Monday11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Austin Classroom,Suite 202

NHH Medical Office BuildingThe North Hills Senior Clinic andAccolade Home Care offer a month-ly group to educate and provide sup-port to individuals whose lives areimpacted by Alzheimer’s Disease.Lunch is provided, so please makeyour reservation with Terri Givens,RN,at (817) 255-1943.

Diabetes Support GroupMonday,Feb.23Every fourth Monday6:30 - 8:00 p.m.Austin Classroom,Suite 202NHH Medical Office BuildingThis month’s topic will be “Basics:Know Your Numbers.” For moreinformation,call (817) 255-1046.

Every year since 1963, the U.S.President has declared February asAmerican Heart Month.This national proclamation urges all

Americans to pay attention to the issue of cardiovascular disease, learnabout preventive steps and spread the word to others.

The h2u program offers you a reliable resource for information onwellness,prevention and care. Check out h2u.com

for more information on heart health.

UPDATE

February is National Heart Month

AS WE AGEMIND&BODY

UPDATE

For the nurse or physician, takinga patient’s blood pressure isroutine.For some patients, the

process alone can trigger anxiety.A patient’s anxiety when visiting a

doctor may lead to a spike in bloodpressure — a reaction commonenough to earn the name “White CoatHypertension.” This type of hyperten-sion affects about 20 percent ofpatients.Unfortunately, just knowingthat you have white coat hypertensionisn’t enough. That’s why the AmericanSociety of Hypertension, the AmericanHeart Association andthe PreventiveCardiovascularNursesAssociationrecently releaseda joint statementencouraging regular blood pressureself-monitoring between doctor visits.

These groups encourage people tocontinue having blood pressure meas-urements in doctor’s offices,but cau-tion that office-only readings,“oftengive inadequate or even misleadinginformation about a patient’s trueblood pressure status.Self-monitoringis a simple and inexpensive way toobtain a large number of readings, rep-resentative of usual blood pressuresover long periods of time that are unaf-fected by the ‘white-coat’ effect.”

Left untreated,high blood pressure,or hypertension,can lead to heartattack,heart failure, stroke and kidneydisease. Accurate readings are neces-sary to determine if medication isneeded,and to track a patient’sprogress while undergoing treatment.

Self-monitoring is recommended for

those who have coro-nary heart disease,diabetes, chronic

kidney disease and“white coat hyperten-

sion.” Patients who have beendiagnosed with hypertension and pre-hypertension,pregnant women and theelderly can also benefit from regularblood pressure checks.

Arm cuff monitors are available atmost pharmacies and are more accu-rate than wrist or finger monitors.These devices range in cost from $40to $120.Grocery store and pharmacyblood pressure testers tend to be lessreliable.However, anyone who gets ahigh reading from an in-store deviceshould follow up with a medical profes-sional for a second opinion.

Self-monitoring is meant to comple-ment,not replace, a doctor’s care.Those who take charge of their health-care and know their blood pressurereadings in and out of the doctor’soffice will be better able to communi-cate with their physicians and avoid apotential life-threatening event.

Tension and HypertensionGetting the most accurate blood pressure readings

For general heart health:www.americanhear t.org

For women’s heart health:www.womenshear t.org www.hear thealthywomen.org

For more information on hearthealth, visit: www.h2u.com

For information on h2u programs,call: (800) 771-0428

RESOURCES

The heart is a muscle that ages alongwith the rest of the body as years pass.As we age:

• Risk of heart attack increases. It ishighest for men over the age of 45and women over the age of 55.

• Our arteries naturally stiffen andnarrow.

• The heart’s walls may becomethicker.

• Our blood pressure graduallyincreases.

• Women lose valuable cardiac protection in the form of estrogen,due to menopause.

What the Numbers MeanBelow 120/80 = Normal

Between 120-139/80-89 = pre-hypertension

Start making lifestyle changes tolower your blood pressure:Stopsmoking, reach a healthy weight,exercise, add fiber to your diet and reduce sodium.

Above 140/90 = hypertension Medical treatment is recommended

Source: World Health Organization

NATIONAL BENEFITS

UPDATE

new member applicationDate ___________________________ Amount Enclosed ■■ $15 (1 year) ■■ $30 (2 years) NL

First Name _____________________________________________ Middle Initial _____________________

Last Name _________________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________________

City/State __________________________________________ Zip Code _____________________________

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■■ Check or money order payable to h2u enclosed

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Assign my membership to the h2u program at: (hospital name) _________________________

I am joining h2u for : ■■ Discounts ■■ Health information ■■ Social activities■■ Online health tools ■■ Health screenings ■■ Member hospital privileges

The following health topics would interest me (please check all that apply):■■ Heart & vascular health ■■ Neurology ■■ Women’s health ■■ Sleep disorders■■ Caregiving ■■ Pulmonary rehab ■■ Health screenings ■■ Diabetes■■ Cancer prevention ■■ Rehabilitation ■■ Heartburn reflux ■■ Bone & joint care■■ Pediatric services ■■ Men’s health ■■ Wound care ■■ Health seminars■■ Pain management ■■ Immunizations ■■ Open heart surgery ■■ Healthy lifestyles■■ Nutrition ■■ Family health ■■ Breast disease ■■ Obesity■■ Menopause ■■ Orthopedics ■■ Obstetrics ■■ Cardiac services■■ Osteoporosis ■■ Cancer detection & treatment

For additional new member applications,photocopy this form.Memberships are non-refundable, non-transferable andprivileges are subject to change without notice.

give the gift of membership today!h2u is a membership organization dedicated to understandingthe unique health needs of adults and providing you with valu-able health information, resources and experiences.

Return to: h2u, P.O. Box 1300, Nashville, TN 37202-1300Visit www.h2u.com or call (800) 771-0428

Special Member DiscountsThe h2u program brings you attractivediscounts on products and services –discounts that can save you hundreds ofdollars. The following are a few of themany h2u resources available to you asa member:

CAREington Dental Plan(866) 222-2558 As an h2u member,you have access to alow cost dental plan. According to theAmerican Dental Association (ADA),asadults get older, they are three timesmore vulnerable to tooth decay thanchildren.Save money,while being proac-tive about your health with theCAREington Dental Plan.As a memberof h2u,you are guaranteed acceptanceinto the program. If for any reason youare dissatisfied within the first 45 daysafter you join CAREington plan, youmay cancel this plan and receive a fullrefund of your CAREington member-ship fee.

Caremark Prescription DrugDiscount Card(877) 864-7741 Members of h2u receive discounts of upto 50 percent on many prescriptiondrugs at more than 60,500 participatingretail pharmacies with the Caremarkprescription drug discount card.Larger discounts are often availablethrough mail order and Internet.Theh2u/Caremark card is located at thebottom of the Welcome Letter youreceive when you join h2u.For moreinformation from Caremark,call (877) 864-7741,or complete a freeonline profile at www.caremark.com.Remember to keep the h2u/Caremarkcard from your Welcome packagehandy to receive your prescriptiondiscounts.

UPDATE

CPR Know-HowMonday,Feb.211:30 a.m.Austin ClassroomSuite 202NHH Medical OfficeBuildingIn 2007,we learned how tobe a “Lifesaving Friend” byrecognizing signs of a stroke.This month join us as welearn how CPR can make youa “Lifesaving Friend” when asudden cardiac arrest occurs.Our goal is for everyone toknow the basics of CPR and

to encourage you to attend aCPR certification class.Deborah Morris,CardioPulmonary Rehab Supervisor,joins us for this presentation.Call (817) 255-1046 for areservation by January 29.

DigitalMammographyTuesday,Feb.1711:30 a.m.Austin ClassroomSuite 202NHH Medical OfficeBuilding

The Women’s Imaging Centerof North Hills Hospital willpresent a slide presentation ofthe new digital mammographyequipment now being used atNorth Hills Hospital.Comeprepared to learn the benefitsof the new vs.the old equip-ment.Call (817) 255-1046 fora reservation by February 12.

Chat with theCardiologistWednesday,Feb.255:00 - 6:30 p.m.Austin ClassroomSuite 202NHH Medical OfficeBuildingJoin Dr.David Slife,Cardiologistat North Hills Hospital,as heanswers questions frequentlyasked by his patients.Dinnerwill be provided and reserva-tions are required.Call the h2uoffice at (817) 255-1046 byFebruary19.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

h2u national office:h2u Membership CenterP.O.Box 1300Nashville, TN 37202-1300(800) 771-0428

Your local h2u office:h2u at North Hills Hospital4401 Booth Calloway RoadNorth Richland Hills,TX 76180(817) 255-1046Affiliate Director: Linda Reynolds

Please feel free to contact yourlocal office for updates and ques-tions or go towww.h2u.com

This newsletter is not intended to provideadvice on personal medical matters, nor is it asubstitute for consultation with a physician.

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