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Tag Archives: heart disease

Five Questions Your Doctor Wishes You Would Ask About Your Heart

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran
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February is officially designated as Heart Health Month. According to The Heart Foundation, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that it is also one of the most preventable.

Dr. Christopher Pitsch, Medical Director at Liberty Lutheran’s Paul’s Run community, offers five questions he wishes his patients would ask.

Q: What is heart disease?
A: Though “heart disease” may be used to describe a few different conditions, it is most commonly used in reference to coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart.

Q: What causes heart disease?
A: Heart disease starts with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process in which fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. Blood components can also begin sticking to the wall, causing a “plaque” buildup and narrowing/hardening of the vessels.

Q: What does high blood pressure have to do with heart disease?
A: Several years of high blood pressure can damage artery walls, causing them to become stiff and narrow. Though controlling our blood pressure is always important, there is more flexibility as we get older. Too aggressively lowering our blood pressure can cause problems as well.

Q: Is it OK to exercise?
A: Yes, regular exercise improves blood flow to the heart and makes the other muscles in the body more efficient, increasing their functional capacity as well as any medicine. As little as 10 minutes of an exercise you enjoy can go a long way.

Q: How can I lower my cholesterol?
A: Though sometimes medicine is required, healthy lifestyle changes can also make a big impact. Eating more fruits, lean meat, vegetables, and fish can go a long way, while eating less organ meats, egg yolks and fats.

Dr. Pitsch recommends that everyone should have an open and honest conversation with their doctor about heart disease and the prevention of heart disease.

For more information about heart disease, and how to reduce your risk, visit TheHeartFoundation.org.

Posted in Artman, Liberty At Home, Liberty Lutheran, Paul's Run Retirement Community, Senior Living, The Becoming Center, The Hearth at Drexel, The Manor at York Town, Village at Penn State, West Philadelphia Senior Community Center | Tagged Cholesterol, Exercise, heart disease, high blood pressure, liberty lutheran, paul's run, Senior health, senior living, The Heart Foundation | Leave a reply

Treat Your Heart Right at the Becoming Center

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Liberty Lutheran
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Jesse in the Gym - Copy (2)

Jesse Habich, Director of the Becoming Center

Watch your salt intake. Keep on moving. Relax. And visit the Becoming Center. All great tips to celebrate World Heart Day says Jesse Habich, Director of the Becoming Center, a senior fitness and wellness facility located at 250 N. Bethlehem Pike in Ambler, PA that is part of the Liberty family of services

Today is World Heart Day, part of an international campaign to spread awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention. This is the perfect day to quit smoking, get exercising and start eating healthy – all in the name of keeping your ticker in good working order, and improving the health and well-being of people the world over.

IMG_0081

 

Since 1994, the Becoming Center has offered personalized, comprehensive, preventive and restorative holistic wellness.

In honor of World Heart Day, you can find a variety of heart-healthy fitness options at the Becoming Center:

  • Over two dozen classes for all skill and health levels at convenient times.
  • A specialized cardio theater.
    A heated pool with open swim hours daily and on weekends.
  • Adult weight management counselors with individual evaluations.
  • Personal training sessions.
  • Free weights.

 

IMG_0073According to Habich, the most effective exercise for heart health, is physical activity such as walking, jogging, riding a bike; or using a treadmill or stationary bike. Using the “Quick Start” function, and chose your own level of intensity for 30 minutes. You can also choose one of the preset programs built into the treadmill or bike to give yourself an extra challenge for 30 minutes.

“Zumba Gold and Trim & Tone are also great classes to get your activity levels up because they are not too strenuous. Zumba keeps your heart rate up the whole time, and the Trim & Tone utilizes weighted exercises; both are very beneficial to ensuring a healthy heart,” says Habich .

IMG_0078Mike Byun, a Becoming Center Member is a veteran of many under-used gym memberships. He finds the Becoming Center a more relaxing atmosphere to concentrate on his cardio workout.

“There’s no blaring music. No one rushing you off the machines. I just hop on a bike, pull out a book, and read while cycling,” said Byun.

The Becoming Center also offers a more serene way to promote heart health. “Yoga is a very beneficial class because yoga helps to relax you, thus lowering stress levels and strain on your heart/high blood pressure,” said Habich.

For more information on the Becoming Center, including hours and class schedules, visit BecomingCenter.org.


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Posted in Artman, Liberty Lutheran, The Becoming Center | Tagged artman, becoming center, cardio, fitness, health, heart disease, liberty lutheran, stroke, work-out, World heart day | Leave a reply

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