Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 14)

Here’s Your Script life is unscripted—like a reality show is, well, supposed to be. By planning ahead, we are more likely to make healthy decisions. Here are a couple of scenarios to help you think about what you might say. Scenario 1: The family is sitting around discussing family gossip. Your role: When you have a lot of family members together, it’s a good idea to start asking health questions. “Ask your mom, dad, aunts and uncles, ‘Who had a heart attack? Who has high blood pressure?’ ” says Manfred Sandler, M.D., medical director of cardiology at Gwinnett Medical Center. The more you know, the better equipped you are to fight heart disease. Scenario 2: Your boss has offered you the chance to lead an exciting project. Your role: if you’re already overworked and stress has been mounting, taking on another big project—no matter how high-profile and exciting—might not be the best idea, as stress can lead to poor heart health. Tell your boss you’d love to, but ask for help in prioritizing or reassigning other work. RISKY BEHAVIOR: Takes on too much—with stress as the result THE SITUATION: “There are indirect relationships between heart disease and stress,” Sacco says. When you’re stressed, he explains, your pulse and blood pressure increase, and many people find themselves nibbling on unhealthy snacks to cope. STEPS YOU CAN TAKE: “The first step is to recognize that stress is linked to your health,” Carmona says. “And understand what your stressors are.” Then, you can work toward avoiding major stressors and learning how to cope. If you can’t eliminate the stress in your life, find healthy ways of dealing with it, such as exercise, yoga, meditation or talking with a friend. “Sometimes it might also involve talking to a professional,” Carmona says. THE OVERACHIEVER To learn about the cardiology services provided at Gwinnett Medical Center, visit gmcheart.com. Consult the Heart-Health Experts RISKY BEHAVIOR: Feeling invincible THE SITUATION: “When you’re in your 20s and 30s, you think you’re going to live forever,” Ewy says. “The last thing you worry about is your health.” The main problem that needs to be addressed, he explains, is obesity. “The number of extremely obese people is really striking,” he says. And now is the time to take care of it. “When you gain weight in your 20s, it gets harder to take it off in your 40s and 50s,” Sacco says. STEPS YOU CAN TAKE: “It’s never too early to start changing your behavior,” Sacco says. “The things you do in your 20s definitely have an impact by your 50s and 60s. We want people to start as early as possible.” The sooner you stop smoking, for example, the greater your chance of living longer. Likewise, Sacco says, now is the time to make physical activity a regular part of your day to ensure you maintain a lifelong healthy weight. THE YOUNG GUN 14 Vim & Vigor · SP R I N G 2 012 online http://www.gmcheart.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
The Philanthropist Next Door
Special Delivery
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
PrimeTime Health
Reclaiming Form and Function
Nice Follow-Through
Out of the White Coat
SPECIAL: Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center

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