Health Messenger Winter 2007

The heart is a muscle about the size of your fist and is responsible for pumping the blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the entire body. Because of its vital function, it is important that we try to keep a healthy heart.You may be surprised to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 700,00 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That’s about 29% of all deaths in the U.S.! Some risk factors such as age and heredity cannot be controlled, however there are steps that you can take to lower your risk.

Take a look at the following risk factors:

Cholesterol - High blood cholesterol is a major factor in causing coronary artery disease. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is needed for certain normal body functions such as producing hormones. However, only a small amount is needed and excess cholesterol is deposited in arteries, including the coronary arteries, which can cause them to become narrowed or blocked leading to the signs and symptoms of heart disease. If you have not had your cholesterol checked, talk with your doctor. Your total cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:

Less than 200 mg/dl Normal
200 – 239 mg/dl Borderline High
240 mg/dl and over High

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of the blood in your arteries is higher than normal. Blood pressure is measured as systolic (pressure on the arteries when the heart beats) and diastolic (pressure on the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats). The ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80. High blood pressure has often been called “the silent killer” because you may not have any symptoms. Blood pressures are easily checked and all adults should have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. High blood pressure can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medicine.

Diabetes - In patients with Diabetes, their bodies do not make enough insulin, don’t use the insulin it makes as well as it should or both.This causes the sugar level to build up in the blood.

Because of this the diabetic patient is at an increased risk for heart disease. It is important to control your diabetes with diet and medication under the supervision of your physician.

Smoking - Cigarette smoking raises blood pressure, reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream, increases the level of blood clotting factors and promotes atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries).The risk of heart disease is not only increased for the smoker but for the nonsmokers who are exposed to other people’s smoke.

Diet - Diet can play a key role in preventing heart disease and other conditions. A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol can elevate blood cholesterol levels and contribute to coronary artery disease. Too much salt or sodium in your diet can also elevate blood pressure levels.

Overweight or Obesity - Excess body fat can be linked to high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Physical Inactivity - People with an inactive lifestyle have an increased risk of heart disease. With your physician’s approval, 30 – 60 minutes of exercise such as walking 3 – 4 times a week helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Alcohol - Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to increased triglyceride levels, elevated blood pressures and an increased risk of heart disease.

The more risk factors you have that are listed, the greater your risk of heart disease.

Making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet in addition to controlling high blood pressure and diabetes will go a long way in reducing your risk. A heart healthy diet should be low in saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol and salt but high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat, fish or poultry. For additional questions regarding your risks or how you can improve your heart health see your doctor.

New Providers

	Taken from the "Keep the Beat" - Heart Healthy Recipes from the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
	2 tbsp	Lowfat milk
	4 tsp	sugar
	1 tsp	vanilla
	1	medium banana, cut in quarters
	1 cup	plain lowfat yogurt
	8 slices	banana (quarter inch each)
	Place milk, sugar, vanilla and banana in blender. Process for 15 seconds at high until smooth.
	Pour mixture into small bowl and fold in yogurt. Chill.
	Spoon into four dessert dishes and garnish each with two banana slices just before serving.
	Nutritional Information Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1/2 cup. Each serving provides: Calories: 94,Total fat: 1 g, Saturated fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 4 mg, Sodium: 47 mg, Carbohydrates: 18g,Total fiber: 1g, Protein: 1 g, Potassium: 297 mg
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Nurse Helpline Reminder

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	FirstCarolinaCare offers a Chronic Care Management Program to work with members who have long term medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The goal of the program is to work with you and your health care provider to identify interventions that will help you maximize your health. If you think you have chronic care needs such as diabetes, you can contact the program by calling (800) 574-8556. back to top

	If your employer group renewed coverage with FirstCarolinaCare in 2007 and had a benefit change, you should have received your 2007 ID cards. Please make sure to use these new ID cards rather than any previous ID cards. If you have not received your 2007 ID card, please contact us at (800) 574-8556. back to top

24 On Physicians - Mohammad Z. Hoque, MD
Agyenim A-Boateng, LPC
Brown Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Jeffre J. Dochow, PA
Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA
Jarett A. Mazzarella, OD / Sheel B. Patel, MD
Carolina Family Practice, PA - Keith E. McManus, MD
Carolina Women’s Health Center, PA
Ann R. Poe, NP / Henry N. Pleasant, MD
Jennifer J. Delaney, DO / Lisa L. Jones, MD
Margaret A. Davis, CNM / Rita H. Kelly, CNM
Central Carolina ENT Associates, PA - Doris Lin, MD
Charles J.Wentz, LPC
Choice Pediatrix, PA - Patrick E. Egbe, MD
Community Family Medicine & Obstetrics
Gunjan Nigam, MD
Debbie K. Brown, LMFT
Felicity L. Sanders, LPA
Habiba Tunau,MD, PLLC - Habiba Tunau, MD
Hodges Family Practice, Inc.
Mariel Gonzalez-Mendoza, MD
Jonadab S. Franco,LCSW
Karen H. Stone,MSN
Kirsten K. Lancaster, PsyD
Lafayette Clinic, PA
Douglas W.Whetsell, MD / Gwenesta B. Melton, MD
Maria J.Watson, MD
Laureen L.Thomas ,LCSW
Lynn L. Palin,LCSW
Margaret J. Graves, MSW
Marlboro OB/Gyn - John R. Nobles, MD
Mid Carolina Primary Care, PA - Kim A. Finlay-Tozzi, DO
Montgomery County Primary Care Corporation
Joleen C. Moore, NP
Moore Regional Hospital Professional Services
Charles Ofosu, MD / Dennis F. Devereux, MD
Erin L. Clark, MD / Suzanne G. Martin, PsyD
Wlodzimierz M.Wisniewski, MD
Patrick J. McAleney, PhD
Pembroke Medical Center - Frank Woriax, MD
Pinehurst Cardiology Consultants - Connie M. Fecik, FNP
Pinehurst Family Care Center, PA - Susan G. Brassil, PA
Pinehurst Medical Clinic, Inc.
Emad Ward, MD / Eric R. Frizzell, MD
Matthew B. Holler, MD / Robert A. Pohlmeyer, MD
Steven M. Kent, MD
Pinehurst Radiology Associates - Michael D. Massey, DO
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, PA
David J. Casey, MD / John E. Streitman, MD
Psychiatric Clinic of Southern Pines - Dale M. Simpson, MD
Raby Chiropractice Center - Melvin E. Raby, DC
Raeford Family Care Center, PC - Jennifer E. Horn, DO
Raleigh Neurology Associates, PA
Christa J. Hicks, MPT / Eric J. Kirch, PA
Rao N.Kothapalli, MD, PA - Nagasayana Rao Kothapalli, MD
Rex Hospital
Robert W. Patterson,MD, FP
Beth P. Stanfield, FNP / Jill J. Lambert, MD
Lisa M. Long, NP / Robert W. Patterson, MD
Robeson Health Care Corporation - Gala C. Henson, MD
Rockingham Anesthesia Consultants, PLLC
Aaron H. Gootman, MD
Sandhills Emergency Physicians, Inc.
Chad D. Listrom, MD / Steven B. Collins, PAC
Sandhills Pediatrics, Inc. - Karin Y. Kent, MD
Sanford Medical Group, PA
Glenna L. Grider, MD / Heather B. Scheffler, PhD
Jennifer B. Gregory, MD / John R. Mangum, MD J
ulie A. Jones, MD / Lester D. Nave, MD
Southern Pines Women’s Health Center, PC
Kendall R. Olvey, MD
Thomas J. Harbin, PhD
Value Medical
Wagram Family Practice - Jonathan L. Gasper, MD
Wilmington Treatment Center