by Dan | Jul 22, 2012 | Exercise, Heart Health, Wellness/Health
There are several tests that can be done in the evaluation of Coronary Heart Disease. These include:
1.) EKG–This is an electrical tracing of your heart, and can help detect any changes in blood flow to the heart, and help determine if someone is having a heart attack, or if they have had one in the past. It only takes a few minutes, and is painless.
2.) A Stress Test–You are monitored continuously with an EKG tracing, and then start walking on a treadmill, such as the one pictured. Every 3 minutes, the speed and the incline of the treadmill increase. We are trying to evaluate not only your exercise capacity/limit, but also help determine if your heart is getting enough blood with activity. We are “stressing” your heart.
3.) An Echocardiogram–it is basically an ultrasound of your heart, giving us information about your heart valves, and how well your heart contracts when it is beating.
4.) A cardiac catheterization, or angiogram–the large vessels in the groin of your leg have a catheter placed and dye is injected to evaluate the coronary vessels of the heart. This is where we can see exactly where blockages exist, and then can place a stent where necessary if blockage is present.
5.) A cardiac score/calcium score–This is a CT scan of the coronary vessels of your heart, and if the amount of calcium present in the coronary vessels are increased, this is also a risk factor with blockage of the vessel going forward. It to is painless, and takes only a few minutes.
Overall, what everyone needs to keep in mind is that if they are experiencing increasing shortness of breath with activity, or chest pain, then you need to see your doctor to decide on which tests above need to be performed in order to help evaluate you.
The final upcoming segment on coronary heart disease will be dealing with how to treat it. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1760
by Dan | Jul 12, 2012 | Exercise, Heart Health, Wellness/Health
Time to get back to previous discussion about heart disease, or coronary heart disease. We will discuss over a 3 part series, the first being about what is coronary heart disease, and what are the symptoms.
In short, coronary heart disease refers to the process where the arteries that supply blood to the heart “get clogged” with fatty deposits. Overall, this puts you at risk for having a heart attack. I had previously discussed some of the statistics related to the prevalence of heart disease in general, now to discuss the symptoms associated with this.
The symptoms of a heart attack can include: Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the center of your chest; Pain, tingling, or discomfort in other parts of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach; Shortness of breath; Nausea, vomiting, burping, or heartburn; Sweating, or having cold, clammy skin; A racing or uneven heartbeat; Feeling dizzy, or lightheaded.
One very important thing to keep in mind is that people with coronary heart disease may have no symptoms, and in fact, the first symptom may be a heart attack. In the next 2 series, I will talk about tests that can be done to help with testing for coronary heart disease, and then how do you treat it, as well as how do you prevent it. The prevention is what we have talked about since we started this blog, continuing to exercise, and watching our diet.
Keep moving everybody.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1750
by Dan | Jul 4, 2012 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Happy 4th of July. To go along with our most recent ad campaign…”I’d Rather Be…” for the clinic, our parade float was made out with this same theme. As our commercial states, “…At Brown Clinic, we know there are things you would rather do than come in to get your physical”. We would rather be biking, gardening, coaching, fishing, golfing, anything we enjoy. That is exactly why Brown Clinic is here for you. We want to make sure you can do those things. Make sure to get your yearly physicals, stay healthy, watch our diet, and exercise. “I’d Rather Be…” preventing someone from getting sick, than take care of them after they are sick.
Here is the main parade gang, holding our award for the parade. Our float won for “The Most Original”. Way to go everybody. You saw us out there today walking, even with this heat and humidity. You get out and stay active. Take care of yourself. We are there to help if needed, just meet us half way! Keep moving everybody. Have a good 4th of July, and be safe!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1742
by Dan | Jul 1, 2012 | Exercise, Family, Weather, Wellness/Health
It was a great weekend to get out and enjoy the weather. Here is one stretch of the bike trail by Jackson Park. With the weather getting up into the 90’s this weekend, and continuing for the rest of the week, you need to get out early. Very peaceful and quiet out early, so enjoy the weather, before it gets too hot later in the day. Remember to be drinking lots of water during this time, and if you are out when it is hotter, it is even more important to drink often. The humidty causes us to lose a lot of fluids quickly.
Here is Nick this AM after he ran around the lake, about 14 miles. He and one of his cross country friends started early, but still the humidity was too much. I caught up to them later in the car, and kept supplying water. Nick managed to finish, but was totally soaked. I gave his friend a ride after about 9.5 miles. He was cramping too much with the heat and humidity. Everybody needs to remember this. We don’t have to be out running 14 miles for this to happen to us. Spending time outside, mowing, gardening, whatever, you lose fluids quickly. Water is the best replacement. Enjoy the summer, but be smart. Keep moving everybody.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise day #: 1739
by Dan | Jun 23, 2012 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
This morning was the 2nd Annual Race for Chase, a combine bike/run event covering almost 10 miles. It is a 2 person team, either both male, both female, or mixed. One bikes, one runs, but you have to both start together, and finish together, and can trade off as you like. You do not need to stay together during the race, so stategy is involved for who should run when, and for how long. It was perfect weather for this, as the rain had passed earlier this AM.
Here Sarah and Molly, one Team Reiffenberger, as they get ready to get started.
They won for the female team in a time of 1 hour 5 min.
But, the other Team Reiffenberger, Nick and I, won not only for the male team, but overall, with a new course record in 50:55, beating the old record by over 4 minutes. Nick ran 1 more mile than I did. Good job Nick! Wait until next year.
Here all 4 of us, The Team Reiffenbergers, X 2, proudly hold up our hardware.
Keep moving everybody. Enjoy the summer.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1731
by Dan | Jun 17, 2012 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there. I hope you have a good day! For you kids, spend time with your dads and grandfathers while you can. These will be the times you will never forget. I never got to meet either one of my grandfathers, so in particular, spend time with them while you can.
Here, my dad is spending time with my son Nick. They are playing the bean bag game just recently. My dad was always one to be active, and at age 80, nothing has changed. Love ya Dad!
He has taught me a lot about being a dad. A lot of us guys can be fathers, but it takes a special individual to be a dad. I hope I can do as good of a job with my kids as my dad did with me. Thanks for all of the life lessons dad. They are greatly appreciated, and used. It is a different type of feeling watching your kids grow up. Before too long, they will be on their own. Hopefully we have led them down the right path. I know I am proud of all of them. Do you think it shows in this picture?
Keep moving everybody! Keep in mind the important things in life.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1725
