Let’s Talk Health one last time

This here, ladies and gents, is my final column. So I thought it appropriate to write from the heart and about the heart.

February is American Heart Month. This designation has more meaning to me now than it did two years ago. Why? Because a large number of the people and patients I have encountered while covering different health stories are elderly and have experienced cardiac issues. Many confided in me their health scares, and heart conditions often came up.

One example that comes to mind is the story of Ray Mink, a 91-year-old with whom I spoke back in April 2014. Mink suffered his first attack at the age of 60. He also suffered two strokes and endured two heart bypass surgeries.

He learned about the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation from his cardiologist, and at 90 he was still pedaling away on a stationary bicycle at Mercy Medical Center Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. He credited rehabilitation for being able to get back to his regular activities.

People eligible to participate in such cardiac programs are those who have been diagnosed with angina, coronary artery angioplasty or who have been through open heart surgery, heart failure or heart transplantation and have received their doctor’s consent.

For a separate story, I met up with a group of women pursuing education on how to manage their diabetes at a workshop organized by Golden Valley Health Centers. The women learned their diabetes makes them more likely to suffer from heart disease. A woman from Planada with whom I spoke after the workshop expressed that this was a concern for her, especially because heart disease ran in her family.

According to the American Heart Association, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. The association also considers diabetes to be a controllable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Yet, despite information and services available to be better informed about heart disease, there are still a large number of people who have very little knowledge on the topic.

Karissa Moreno, the chief operating officer at Livingston Community Health, shared that clinic staff has joined the national movement this month to equip its entire staff in delivering “heart health matters” messages to patients. If staff members, including receptionists and everyone who has contact with patients, understand good cardiovascular health, then they can share this knowledge with families, Moreno said.

“It’s not just about the doctor and the patient, it’s about all of us participating in this conversation,” she said.

Also, an early reminder: Mercy Medical Center puts on an annual 5K Stroke Awareness Run. This year, it will land May 14. Besides participating in the run/walk, this is also a good place to get basic information on how to keep a healthy heart. Professionals are usually available to provide information on taking steps toward healthier eating and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Remember: The more you know, the more you can do to better your health.

Let’s Talk Health will no longer run in the Merced Sun-Star. I’m moving to pursue other opportunities. To those who have followed this column and my health coverage these past two years, thank you for reading.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Let’s Talk Health one last time."