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Go easy on your heart this winter Winter isn’t kind, but it can be especially dangerous for people who have heart disease and high blood pressure. Cold weather causes arteries to tighten, slowing blood flow and reducing the oxygen getting to your heart. A drop in temperature also forces your body to work overtime to get oxygen and keep warm. People with heart disease may experience chest pain, or angina, in the winter, and some research has shown that heart attacks increase during these colder months. To avoid winter-related heart problems: Avoid sudden exertion, such as lifting a heavy shovel full of snow. Don’t eat a heavy meal before shoveling or soon after. Schedule breaks every 15 minutes when shoveling, and consider a snow blower. If you can’t take on the task, ask for help from family, friends or neighbors. Be careful walking through heavy, wet snow or snow drifts. Wear layers, which trap air and offer protective insulation. Don’t forget to cover your head, hands and feet—the areas that lose heat first—with warm, dry clothing. Skip the alcoholic beverages before heading outside. Alcohol gives you a false sense of warmth because it causes blood vessels in the skin to expand, drawing heat away from your body’s vital organs. Know the symptoms of a heart attack. Food safety for the pregnant woman Since you’re eating for two, you need to take precautions to ensure you’re not exposing yourself or your baby to potentially harmful germs. Keep these food-safety tips in mind, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Wash your hands. Use soap and water after touching unwashed vegetables or raw meat or eggs. Scrub up when preparing food and before eating or drinking. Avoid sharing utensils or food with young children. Although cute, children may be harboring viruses that could harm you and your baby. Make sure food is thoroughly cooked. Use a food thermometer to be sure. Steaks, roasts and fish should be at least 145° F; pork, ground beef and egg dishes 160° F; and chicken breasts and whole poultry, 165° F. Reheat hot dogs, deli or luncheon meats until they’re steaming hot. They could contain harmful bacteria. Skip unpasteurized or raw dairy products. Look for the word “pasteurized” on cheeses such as feta, Brie and queso fresco. Unpasteurized foods can cause a serious infection such as listeriosis. For the brain, nothing beats beets In a study out of Wake Forest University, researchers have found that beets—a food rich in nitrates—may give the brain a boost and help combat dementia down the road. Nitrates are converted in the body into nitrites, which open up blood vessels and improve blood flow to areas lacking oxygen. Previous studies have found a diet that includes beets and other nitrate-rich foods, such as celery, cabbage and spinach, can lower blood pressure and enhance exercise performance. For this study, adults ages 70 and older were analyzed over four days as they consumed either high-nitrate diets—including 16 ounces of beet juice with breakfast—or low-nitrate diets. Follow-up MRI scans showed that those on the high-nitrate diet increased blood flow to the frontal lobes of the brain, the main areas where deterioration can lead to cognitive problems with age. The study was small, but it’s more evidence of the importance of vegetables for our health! All hail tai chi For those suffering from arthritic conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, pain relief can seem elusive. But one recent study is showing that tai chi—meditation that combines gentle movements and controlled breathing—may be just the ticket. According to the study of 354 participants in the Arthritis Foundation’s tai chi program in North Carolina and New Jersey, those who engaged in tai chi improved their pain, fatigue, stiffness and well-being, while also improving balance over the twice-a-week, eight-week program. Learn more about the healing powers of tai chi. Check out McCullough-Hyde's hospital happenings! McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital has a new, updated website. Check out our work in progress at www.mhmh.org. Visit McCullough-Hyde's at www.mhmh.org and click on "Calendar" for a complete event listing, including our monthly Lunch & Learn series. McCullough-Hyde offers vascular ultrasound screenings Monday through Friday. Vascular ultrasound screenings could help you avoid possible stroke, heart disease or death. Call 513-524-5400 to schedule your appointment. A physician's order is not required, and test results are sent to you and your physician. Cost for all three ultrasounds (abdominal, carotid and legs) is $75. Read Hot Health Topics on McCullough-Hyde’s Web page and click on HealthWise.
	McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital 110 N. POPLAR ST. / OXFORD, OH 45056 / 513-523-2111 / www.mhmh.org Community Health is designed to provide general health news and wellness information. This information is not designed to, nor should it, be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or nutrition or exercise program.
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