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HEALTH

Cardiac staff helps umpire Jeff Cole beat a life-threatening condition.

PAGE 6

YOUR

Safe atHOME

AROUND ST. ANTHONY’S

Check In Online At Urgent Cares Online check-in is a great option when you need a doctor – but not immediately.

COVER STORY

Safe At HomeJeff Cole is calling balls and strikes again after the cardiac team got him back to full strength.

MOVE IT!

Aerobic ActionGetting up and moving your muscles can provide a host of healthy benefits.

HEALTHY HABITS

Cool Off: Healthy Summer DrinksBeat the heat this summer with healthy smoothies, guilt-free lemonade and more.

FEATURE STORIES

Playing In TunePatricia House has more energy and vitality after treatment for her atrial fibrillation.

Walking The WalkAn active volunteer and dog mom can get around a lot easier now, thanks to a simple vein procedure.

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Articles with this icon have more information on our website.

2 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

2014JuneYOUR HEALTH

today

Go to stanthonysmedcenter.com and click on Your Health Today.

St. Anthony’s:Leading the way in cardiac care

David Morton, M.D.

W

Dear members of the St. Anthony’s community,

With her permission, I want to share with you the story of 79-year-old Patricia House. Patricia is a spry woman who lost energy and began to feel awful when her heart started to beat irregularly. She was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Patricia was the first patient in the state of Missouri to undergo a procedure using a new catheter, the first approved by the FDA, that will change the way doctors treat patients like her. The procedure was done by Dr. Greg Botteron at St. Anthony’s Medical Center. You can read more about her story on page 8.

Patricia’s story is just one example of St. Anthony’s premier cardiology services. Our heart care begins in the community, where six EMS agencies or ambulance districts and a 911 center are under the medical direction of St. Anthony’s. We have a 13-member group practice and an acclaimed cardiac surgery team, the Heart Specialty Associates, on the St. Anthony’s Medical Center campus. As a recognized leader in cardiac care, St. Anthony’s Lewis Rice Heart Evaluation and Rapid Treatment (HEART) Unit, the only one of its kind in the St. Louis area, provides outpatient care for patients with non-life-threatening heart issues, allowing them to undergo the tests they need without being admitted to the hospital.

All of these services come together in our state-of-the-art John K. Pruellage Heart & Vascular Center, which centralizes outpatient access to leading cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons in the St. Louis area, providing a comprehensive range of cardiac and peripheral vascular diagnostic tests and treatment procedures.

At St. Anthony’s, our vision is simple: to provide the best heart care services in the country. We are honored by the trust you place in us as we carry out this mission.

Sincerely,

David Morton, M.D.Office of the PresidentChief Medical Officer

| 3

in good health

Every day, thousands of young Americans use ear buds to connect to their favorite tunes on their smartphones or mp3

players. But they know not to listen too long, or turn up the sound too high, or their hearing will suffer, right?

Not necessarily, reports the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In an online poll conducted by ASHA, 75 percent of parents believe that teaching their children to use audio technology safely should be a top health priority. Yet, only 50 percent have discussed safe listening habits with their children.

Source: ASHA.org

Making sense of sunscreens:

SPF 30 is sufficientSunscreens with

high sun protection factors, or SPFs, are only marginally superior to those with lower ratings. For example, an SPF 30 product blocks 97 percent of UVB rays, while an SPF 45 product blocks about 98 percent of rays.

“That one percent really doesn’t make a whole lot of difference,” said Lawrence Wang, M.D., a dermatologist at St. Anthony’s. “For my patients, I recommend SPF 30 or above.”

What is important, he said, is to reapply the sunscreen every hour and a half, or whenever one gets out of the water. And be sure to apply enough – for the whole body, one needs enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass. Cover all exposed areas, including ear tips.

“I also recommend wearing hats, especially for men with thinning hair,” Dr. Wang said.

Bug bite? Relief is in your pantry

Pain, swelling, itching and redness are the hallmarks of a summer tradition: bites from flying insects. Fortunately, natural home remedies and repellents are as close as your kitchen.

Cider vinegar and cornstarch, combined to make a thick paste and applied over the bite, help suck out venom and soothe the itch. A few drops of witch hazel also helps to relieve minor pain, and a paste of meat tenderizer and water has been shown to work in several studies, said Melissa Stein, D.O., Emergency Management Officer and urgent care physician with St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

To ward off mosquitoes, in addition to the repellents containing the chemicals DEET and Picaridin, the Centers for Disease Control recommends lemon eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil, available at pharmacies and in commercial preparations.

“For the oils, up to a 30 percent concentration mixed with water can be used, or three ounces of oil with seven ounces of water in a spray bottle,” Dr. Stein recommends. “Be sure to reapply every four hours. Also, wear lightweight long sleeves and pants to cover skin whenever possible.”

BEST BUDS: Turn down the sound ASHA’s “Listen

to Your Buds” safety campaign offers these tips to help protect kids’ hearing:

• Keep the volume down – a good guide is half volume.

• Limit listening time – give your hearing “quiet breaks”

• Talk to your kids – discuss and model safe listening habits.

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4 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

Online check-in now available

URGENT CARE UPDATE

For those occasions when you need to see a doctor – but not immediately – St. Anthony’s offers online check-in for patients of its four Urgent Care Centers, in Arnold, Crestwood (Big Bend), Fenton and Lemay. Just visit stanthonysmedcenter.com/urgentcare to select a convenient time and location.

“We know there are times when patients need to come

in right away, and we will always be there to treat walk-in patients,” said Evelyn Young, M.D., Medical Director of the Urgent Cares. “Online check-in may be a great option when your primary care physician is not able to schedule you or you want to take advantage of some of our services, including vaccinations, blood tests and school, sports or work physicals.”

stanthonysmedcenter.com/urgentcare

St. Louis and St. Anthony’s Medical Center mark milestones in 2014

The City of St. Louis celebrates its 250th birthday this year. Thanks to many fan votes, St. Anthony’s has earned a

four-foot-tall fiberglass cake as part of stl250’s “Cakeway to the West” celebration. St. Louis was just 135 years old when the old St. Anthony’s Hospital began its legacy of service to the community on April 18, 1900, at Grand Boulevard and Chippewa Street.

During the great influenza epidemic in 1920, St. Anthony’s was among only four of 15 private hospitals in St. Louis that opened its doors to influenza patients. After St. Louis’ first polio epidemic struck in the summer of 1946, St. Anthony’s gained national recognition as the Midwest’s primary treatment center for polio victims. Today, the medical center provides a spectrum of specialties, including a transformed Emergency Department and groundbreaking cardiac services.

“We do everything here that the university hospitals do, except pediatrics and transplants,” said longtime St. Anthony’s physician David Dobmeyer, M.D. “We would not be able to do this without the commitment and dedication of St. Anthony’s Medical Center and its exemplary staff of nurses and technologists.”

Happy birthday to us!

Above: The old St. Anthony’s Hospital at Grand and Chippewa, in south St. Louis

Left: “Cakeway to the West” celebrates St. Louis’ 250th birthday with 250 fiberglass cakes placed across the region. St. Anthony’s was one of 50 locations chosen by popular vote, and our cake is located near the front entrance. The display is part public art, part history lesson and part scavenger hunt.

Learn more at stl250.org

| 5

St. Anthony’s Charitable Foundation is helping to fund the education of future health care professionals with a $10,000 donation to Jefferson College, presented in March. The money will fund five $2,000 scholarships for students enrolled in the Allied Health Programs, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology or health information technology.

“This donation represents the beginning of a community partnership between Jefferson College and St. Anthony’s,” said Patricia Ranzini, Executive Director of the St. Anthony’s Charitable Foundation. “We are both committed to improving the health of our residents by providing the most qualified health care workers, who live and work right here.”

URGENT CARE UPDATE

stanthonysmedcenter.com/urgentcare

Anthony House – a building on St. Anthony’s campus that formerly housed a skilled nursing facility, psychiatric hospital and offices – is at the end of its useful life. The aging structure requires more than $10 million in renovations and infrastructure improvements and is planned for demolition this year. But from March to May, it served a final useful purpose: as a training facility for area emergency responders.

Happy birthday to us!

From left, Dr. Dena McCaffrey, Jefferson College Dean of Career & Technical Education; Tom Burke, Jefferson College Executive Director of Development; Dr. Ray Cummiskey, Jefferson College President; Joe Lipic Sr., St. Anthony’s Charitable Foundation Chairman of the Board; Patricia Ranzini, St. Anthony’s Charitable Foundation Executive Director; and Kenny Wilson, Jefferson College Director of Health Occupational Programs, come together to present the $10,000 check to fund scholarships for students in the Allied Health Programs.

ST. ANTHONY’S CHARITABLE FOUNDATION NEWS

Learn more at stl250.org

Emergency responders attend ‘school’ at Anthony House

St. Anthony’s helps health care professionals get their start

“ We are always looking to train in the most realistic

environment we can.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, St. Louis County Police, and numerous municipal police and fire departments could be found at Anthony

House for training sessions, including active shooter scenarios. Many of St. Anthony’s employees also participated in the active shooter training.

“We are always looking to train in the most realistic environment we can,” said Lt. Bob Wolf, commander of the S.W.A.T. unit of the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Troop C. “Thanks to St. Anthony’s; we appreciate the opportunity.”

– Lt. Bob Wolf

heart failure clinic

Safe

6 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

Jeff Cole’s family history is full of ninety-year-olds, all with healthy hearts.

So, when he encountered problems breathing after returning from a Florida vacation in September 2012, Jeff and his family doctor assumed the problem was bronchitis. Despite treatment, the symptoms didn’t go away. After administering an EKG, the doctor suggested Jeff travel by ambulance to an emergency room.

Jeff, 60, drove himself to St. Anthony’s Emergency Department, where he was taken upstairs for an echocardiogram and, to his surprise, gained a cardiologist. He received good care during his stay, he said.

“They checked me into the new cardiac floor – it’s really nice,” he said.

Jeff, a patient in St. Anthony’s Heart Evaluation and Rapid Treatment (H.E.A.R.T.) Unit, was suffering from cardiomyopathy, or a weakening of the heart muscle, with congestive heart failure, said St. Anthony’s Cardiologist Charles Carey, M.D. His ejection fraction, or heart-pumping ability, was only 10 percent. The average normal heart has an ejection fraction of 60 percent.

Statistically, one out of nine patients hospitalized with heart failure does not survive past 30 days, said Dr. Carey, Medical Director of the H.E.A.R.T. Unit. The only one of its kind in the region, the H.E.A.R.T. Unit provides efficient and thorough diagnosis and treatment in an outpatient, hotel-like setting.

“Patients, in my opinion, need to know the seriousness of their condition, so they can be important team members in taking care of their health,” Dr. Carey said. “What I tell patients is, their prognosis is worse than most cancers if their heart failure is left untreated, about 25 to 30 percent one-year mortality.”

Cardiac staff helps Jeff Cole beat a life-threatening condition

• Is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

• Affects nearly five million Americans.

• Will kill one in every nine patients admitted to a hospital in the next 30 days.

• Has no cure. Treatment is key.

Heart failure:

Jeff prepares to work behind the plate at a baseball game at John Burroughs School

Safe atHOME

Jeff doesn’t – and didn’t then – look like a man with heart failure. “I’ve never hurt and never felt bad – just fatigue,” he recalled. “I could go out in the yard and piddle in the garden for 15 minutes and take a two-hour nap. Dr. Carey said I probably picked up a virus that attacked my heart.

“Dr. Carey was always up-front with me, which I appreciated,” Jeff added. “I asked, ‘What are my chances if I do everything you ask?’ Eighty-five to 90 percent.”

Jeff underwent an electrical cardioversion, or a shock to his heart to restore it to a normal rhythm. After a catheterization and stress test showed no blockages or heart attacks, Dr. Carey prescribed a regimen of medicines, including beta blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and aldosterone antagonist.

“Today, Jeff’s ejection fraction is in the range of 55 to 60 percent, which is normal,” Dr. Carey said. “His heart has become stronger, which eliminated the need for a special type of pacemaker called a defibrillator. His prognosis right now is very good.”

Now retired, Jeff oversees work at his two family farms, serves as umpire for high school baseball and softball games, enjoys hunting and fishing, and travels with his wife of 30 years, Christine.

“I take my medicine, go to the gym and use the treadmill, and watch my diet,” Jeff said. “I lost a little weight, and plan to do more. I consider myself really fortunate that my heart has improved.”

FAST FACTSSt. Anthony’s Heart Failure Clinic

• More than 600 patients enrolled

• Average patient increase in ejection fraction (heart-pumping ability): 15 points

• Average hospital readmission rate for Heart Failure Clinic patients: 3.3 percent

• National average readmission rate for heart failure patients: 23 percent

HEART FAILURE CLINIC:

Concentrated care

According to U.S. medical registries, only one in four patients with heart failure receives all of the evidence-based-guideline-recommended treatments. Most receive only one or two of the recommended

treatments.“That’s comparable to a

cancer patient receiving only half of the recommended chemo dose,” notes Charles Carey, M.D., Medical Director of St. Anthony’s Heart Specialty Associates’ outpatient Heart Failure Clinic. “The Heart Failure Clinic is designed to make sure patients get the maximum medical treatment studies recommend. It’s an evidence-based program that acts as if the patient were on a medical trial.”

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W Learn more: Call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669)or visit: stanthonysmedcenter.com

St. Anthony’s has

HEARTLewis Rice Heart Evaluation and Rapid Treatment (HEART) Unit:

Y The only one of its kind in the St. Louis area

Y Provides comprehensive, efficient care of outpatients with non-life-threatening heart issues

YStaffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a nurse practitioner and nurses

Y Ten-bed unit offers pleasant, hotel-like accommodations

Y No waiting room; patients are monitored in private rooms

With relief from atrial fibrillation, Patricia House’s heart is

8 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

Patricia House, 79, of St. Charles is an active, spry woman who enjoys playing with her grandchildren, gardening, and singing in the

church choir. But when she noticed her heart was beating irregularly and she started feeling too weak to navigate the church’s long staircase, she knew something was wrong.

House was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often rapid heart rate that impedes blood flow to the body. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm problem in the United States, said Gregory Botteron, M.D., Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist with St. Anthony’s Heart Specialty Associates. It affects three million Americans, and its incidence is on the rise due to an aging population and rising heart disease rates.

“Being in atrial fibrillation can make you feel very bad and, more importantly, can cause blood clots to form in your heart, which leads to stroke,” noted Julie Milke, R.N., nurse assistant to Dr. Botteron. House recalled that the A-Fib kept her feeling worn out all the time. “My heart would not stay in rhythm. It’s no fun,” she said.

Dr. Botteron specializes in therapy for atrial fibrillation, averaging about 350 ablation procedures each year.

Playing tune

“He gave me

for a better life...”

PATRICIA HOUSE

HOPE• Heart fluttering, beating hard or fast• Shortness of breath• Weakness or problems exercising• Chest pain• Dizziness or fainting• Fatigue • Confusion

Untreated, atrial fibrillation often leads to stroke. St. Anthony’s has many state-of-the-art options for treatment of atrial fibrillation.

SYMPTOMS

cardiac ablation

in

With relief from atrial fibrillation, Patricia House’s heart is

Dr. Botteron and St. Anthony’s:

Leading the WayGregory Botteron, M.D., was the first doctor in Missouri to perform a minimally invasive catheter ablation procedure using the THERMOCOOL®

SMARTTOUCH® Catheter, the first catheter approved by the FDA to feature direct contact force technology for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.

St. Anthony’s was one of the first hospitals in the country to implant the Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor System in a patient, just a week after the smallest implantable cardiac monitoring device available received approval from the FDA.

W Watch an interview with Dr. Botteron: http://bit.ly/QBty61

Gregory Botteron, M.D.Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist

Learn more: Call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669)

| 9

At the of it all

tune

HEARTA recognized leader in cardiac care, St. Anthony’s:

Throughout his career, he has performed more than 1,000 ablation procedures to correct atrial fibrillation, and more than 3,500 ablations for heart rhythm problems, more than any other single cardiologist in the St. Louis area.

“We take five catheters from the groin to inside the heart, where we eliminate the tissue that we believe is responsible for the atrial fibrillation,” Dr. Botteron explained of the outpatient procedure. “St. Anthony’s (home to the state-of-the-art Electrophysiology Lab) is the largest center in the region for this type of ablation; this is an area of expertise for us.”

House was the first patient in Missouri to undergo a procedure using the THERMOCOOL® SMARTTOUCH® Catheter, which enables physicians to accurately control the amount of contact force applied to the heart wall during radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures. Providing doctors with the ability to apply this stable contact force during such procedures has been shown to improve patient outcomes.

“This is the most exciting advancement in my field in the last 10 years,” Botteron said.

Patricia is glad she underwent the procedure. “It turned out to be a fairly simple thing for me. The first few days I was a little sore,” she recalled, “but really, nothing painful.”

Due to her newly restored vigor, House is singing in her church choir again – and singing the praises of Dr. Botteron. “He was very kind and caring,” she said. “He gave me hope for a better life, and that is definitely what I’m experiencing.”

• Is home to the John K. Pruellage Heart & Vascular Center for advanced heart care.

• Was first in the region to offer a three-dimensional color heart mapping system with GPS technology, which enables doctors to perform cardiac ablation procedures with pinpoint accuracy.

• Is home to the region’s only Heart Evaluation And Rapid Treatment (H.E.A.R.T.) Unit, which provides efficient and thorough treatment in a hotel-like setting for outpatients with non-life-threatening heart issues.

• Is home to an acclaimed cardiac surgery team, the Heart Specialty Associates, with offices in Kirkwood and South County.

• Has as its Chief Medical Officer David Morton, M.D., a renowned cardiologist who draws patients from across the state.

10 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

vein services

“After eight

years of living

with this, I’m just

ecstatic!”

RONDA SEELEY

RONDA SEELEY, of South County, didn’t know she was one of more than 30 million Americans who suffer from venous reflux disease. For eight years she suffered from an ulcer on her ankle that wouldn’t

go away, and was referred unsuccessfully to wound treatment specialists, dermatologists and others.

Ronda, a manager at a landscape materials company, enjoys helping others and is an active member of the Benevolence Team at Rooftop Community Church in Affton, working with the Churches on the Street STL Homeless Ministry in north St. Louis and the Affton Christian Food Pantry, among others. The ulcerous leg cramped her style: it would improve a little, then worsen. She tired of the pain and limping.

“I had many a doc look at it – it was horrible,” recalled Ronda, 51. “When it flared up this last time, my doctor started to send me back to a wound specialist. I told her, ‘This time, we’re going to get this treated and fixed.’ She sent me to Dr. Dobmeyer.”

It’s not uncommon for caregivers not to recognize the condition, said Cardiologist David Dobmeyer, M.D., FACC. Dr. Dobmeyer is President of St. Anthony’s Heart Specialty Associates, which sees an average of 50 patients with vein problems each week.

After her vein procedure, Ronda Seeley can again

the

Pictured: Ronda with her Chihuahua, Teddy and Pit Bull, Kaylee

Walk

“Ronda had a classic venous ulcer, and these wounds typically take forever to heal,” Dr. Dobmeyer said. “The condition goes by three names: venous insufficiency, venous reflux disease or varicose veins. Varicose veins is only one manifestation of the problem, which can have no symptoms, or manifest with pain, swelling and discoloration. When the condition worsens, leg and foot ulcers can result.”

The problem lies in the great saphenous vein, which in its healthy state contains valves pointing back at the heart to return blood to the heart, Dr. Dobmeyer said. In Ronda’s case, the valves ceased to function properly, and the continuous pooling of blood caused and exacerbated the foot ulcer.

In April, Ronda underwent a venous radiofrequency ablation, an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic, and went home the same day. Dr. Dobmeyer introduced a heated catheter into the great saphenous vein, causing diseased portions of the vein to close and be absorbed by the body. The blood automatically is rerouted to healthier veins, where it is pumped more efficiently. The Heart Specialty Associates performs five to 10 venous radiofrequency ablation procedures weekly.

“This should be a permanent fix for her,” Dr. Dobmeyer said. “The ulcer should not come back.”

Within a week of surgery, the wound had healed appreciably, Ronda said.

“After eight years of living with this, I’m just ecstatic!” Ronda said.

After her vein procedure, Ronda Seeley can again

the

St. Anthony’s Heart Specialty Associates

Vein Treatment Services

W

Do you have venous insufficiency?St. Anthony’s Heart Specialty Associates offers a free screening, including a quick-look

ultrasound, for venous insufficiency. Call today for an appointment:

314-ANTHONY or 314-880-6622.

Varicose veins/venous insufficiency/reflux:WHAT IS IT?

• It’s found in one in six Americans

• It’s hereditary: If Mom had it, both male and female

children have an 80 percent chance of getting it

• It’s often found in occupations involving standing:

teachers, nurses, factory workers, store clerks

• It may become prominent during pregnancy and

worsen with successive pregnancies

Learn more: Call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669)stanthonysmedcenter.com

Pictured: Ronda with her Chihuahua, Teddy and Pit Bull, Kaylee

Ronda is an active volunteer at Rooftop Church in Affton.

| 11

“Our cardiovascular specialists here at the Heart Specialty Associates can diagnose and treat all aspects of both venous and arterial disorders,” noted Connie Kray, R.N., Manager of Vein Services. “We also do therapy for cosmetic spider veins.”

St. Anthony’s Heart Specialty Associates specializes in a variety of treatments: endovenous thermal ablation, chemical ablation, phlebectomy (removal of the vein), sclerotherapy and light source/laser treatment. It also relies on conservative treatment options, such as compression stockings; in many cases, a combination of treatment methods work best.

Heart Specialty Associates works closely with St. Anthony’s Wound Treatment Center, which sees many patients with non-healing wounds in their lower legs and feet. “I refer to us as the plumbing subcontractors for the Wound Center,” said cardiologist David Dobmeyer, M.D.

Diagnostic testing for venous insufficiency is performed at the Heart Specialty Associates’ Vascular Lab, which is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories.

When choosing a healthy summer drink, water is tops, but a refreshing smoothie or

juice can help you get needed vitamins and minerals in your diet and keep you hydrated.

The average adult needs 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit a day. Your fruit intake can be fresh, canned, frozen, dried, whole, cut-up, or puréed. The USDA recommends you vary the type and colors of fruit you eat. They all supply different nutrients, fiber and water content. Explore your grocery store and look for something different,

recommends Heidi McClintock, a registered and licensed dietitian at St. Anthony’s Medical Center. It could be an exotic whole fruit in the produce aisle, something in the freezer section like frozen mangos or peaches, or a new dried fruit like blueberries, pineapple, or acacia berries.

A fruit smoothie or juice can be a healthy choice, but just a word of caution: fruit is not calorie-free! Calories can add up quickly when constructing your drinks so use moderation. Portion control always is important.

ReinvigorateRefresh and

healthyhabits

with a healthy summer drink

INGREDIENTS1/2 cup water1 cup green grapes1/2 cup of pineapple 1/2 medium banana2 cups of fresh spinach1/2 cup ice cubes

PREPARATIONPlace all ingredients in a blender.Blend until desired consistency is reached.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING (1 cup): 60 calories 15 grams carbohydrates2 grams fiber0 grams of fat1 gram protein

Super cool drink. Squared!A fruit ice cube can jazz up any drink with endless possibilities.

Freeze them in a standard ice cube tray. Then they will be ready any time for any drink.

FREEZE

The riper the fruit, the sweeter it is. It’s a great way to use overripe fruit. Purée the fruit in its natural juices or add a little apple juice to thin.

PUREE

Chop or puree mangoes, strawberries, kiwi, watermelon, blackberries, raspberries, papaya, peaches, black cherries or use whole pomegranate seeds. CHOP

12 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

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Reinvigorate

Eating plenty of fruits may reduce your risk of heart disease,

stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes, control blood pressure, and protect against some types of cancer. Fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, calories and have no cholesterol.

LemonadeGUILT-FREE

INGREDIENTS8-10 fresh lemons 1 cup Splenda or equivalent sugar substitute5⅓ cups water

PREPARATIONJuice lemons to make 1½ cups of lemon juice. Whisk Splenda with lemon juice until dissolved.Add water and whisk until well-combined.Refrigerate until cold or add strawberry ice cubes for garnish.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING (1 cup): 15 calories4 grams carbohydrates0 fiber0 protein

OTHER BENEFITSPotassium: Helps maintain blood pressure. Found in bananas, prunes, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and orange juice.

Dietary Fiber: Helps reduce blood cholesterol and risk of heart disease, and is important for bowel function. Whole or cut-up fruits contain fiber; juices contain little or no fiber.

Vitamin C: Helps heal cuts and wounds, and keeps teeth and gums healthy.

14 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2014

move it!

Aerobic

When shopping or working, park the car farthest from the entrance.

Take the stairs, not the elevator.

When walking to a meeting, take the long route.

Step up to better health

hether they know it or not, most folks age 50 and older are familiar with aerobic exercise. They indulged in it nearly every day while growing up in a world without high-tech gadgets.

Aerobic exercise is the sustained rhythmic movement of major muscle groups, ideally for 30 minutes at a time, in pursuits such as swimming, running, bicycling, jumping rope, dancing and brisk walking.

The benefits are many. Exercising regularly helps:

• Control weight• Increase stamina• Boost the immune system• Strengthen the heart• Increase good cholesterol (HDL)• Improve mood and well-being• Control blood pressure and diabetes• Prevent osteoporosis and other health

problems

“Almost every health problem can benefit from aerobic exercise,” notes Michael Knobbe, Exercise Physiologist in St. Anthony’s Cardiac Rehab department for 13 years.

Knobbe helps cardiac patients head down the road to recovery after they’ve had a heart attack, bypass surgery or a stent. They focus on risk factor changes and develop an exercise routine. When he’s not on the job, Knobbe enjoys running in marathons, half-marathons and five-kilometer events.

“Really, brisk walking is easiest for most people to do,” he said. “Basically all you need is a good pair of tennis shoes. Even in inclement weather, some community centers and other organizations have indoor walking tracks.”

Knobbe recommends starting in small increments – even five minutes a day, if one is out of shape – and building endurance over time. Always check with your physician before starting any exercise routine, he adds.

“Start out easy, and just keep building up,” he said. “As you feel you’re getting stronger, add on more time.”

The American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control recommend adults engage in 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. That translates to about 30 minutes, five days a week.

“If you only have time for three days a week, try to make your routine a little longer,” he said.

St. Anthony’s offers a variety of classes that will help you on the road to better health.

Call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) and sign up today.

AerobicMove those muscles and improve your health

W Sign up for St. Anthony’s free Get Fit! wellness program today:

stlgetfit.org

‘Friend’ the routineExplore different exercises and find a favorite.

Keep exercise equipment upstairs, not in the basement.

Listen to music, watch TV, or exercise with a friend or family member.

Take a fun class: Zumba or just about any dance class will work.

action

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MISSIONSt. Anthony’s, a Catholic medical center, has the duty and the privilege to provide the best care to every patient, every day.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Michael E. Rindler

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Mary Sherfy

10010 Kennerly RoadSt. Louis, Mo. 63128

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