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H ealth
Portland O bserver B la c k H is to r y M o n th
a t c ii
C h ron ic P ain Su pport G rou p - Meets the first Wednesday at 4 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. and the third Wednesday of each month, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For more information, call 503-256-4000.
C ardiac-R ehab Exercises - A medically supervised exercise program for
people dealing with heart conditions. For information, call 503-251 -6260.
S trok e A lert S creen in g — Check your carotid arteries with a painless
ultrasound to assess your risk. Fee $40. To schedule a screening, call 503-
251-6137.
_____________________February 8.2012
Take Stock of Cardiac Health
February is American Heart Month, and health
experts at Providence are reminding people to take
stock of their cardiac health.
A new study confirms controlling high blood pres
sure at any time reduces the risk of heart disease, but
not letting it creep up in the first place is even better.
The study showed that men in their 40s who re
duced their high blood pressure significantly lowered
their risk of cardiovascular disease in their 50s.
Men who did little or nothing to control their high
blood pressure in their 40s ended up with hypertension.
High blood pressure is associated with thickening
of the arteries, which makes the heart work harder,
leading to range of ailments and even death.
While some prescription medicines can help with
high blood pressure, many experts recommend lifestyle
changes including a healthy diet, exercise and no
tobacco use.
M an agin g C h ronic H epatitis C — Third Wednesday of each month at 5
p.m. The informative session is led by a registered nurse to help you
manage side effects of medications and dosage preparations and admin
istration; doctor referral required. To register, call 503-251 -6313.
Shortness of Breath is No Holiday
B etter B reathers -- An asthma educational support group meets on the
1 st T uesday of the month from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Adventist Medical
Center. For information, call 503-251 -6830.
Pow erful T ools For C aregivers - 6-week educational series designed to
help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for relatives
or friends with chronic illness. Class size is limited, and registration is
required. Call 503-413-8018.
L eg A lert Screenin g - Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe,
simple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. To
schedule an appointment, call 503-251 -6137.
*
S m ok e-F ree Su pport G rou p - Meets Mondays, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For
information, call 503-256-4000.
O steop orosis S creen in g — An ultrasound bone density screening with
personalized education; fee $30. To schedule an appointment, call 503-
261-6611.
F am ily C aregiver Su pport G roup - This topic-oriented group offers a
safe place to discuss the stresses, challenges and rewards of providing
care to an older relative or friend. Meets the first Thursday of each month
at 3 p.m. at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital.
Free Body B asics - This physician recommended class is appropriate for
all ages and health conditions. Plan to attend this one-session class and
learn the simple guidelines for safe exercises, including stretching. Call
503-256-4000 to register.
E m pow erm ent through Relaxation -- Free informal meditation classes
that address breathing techniques, some gentle ancient African yoga
poses and mental balancing techniques. People have left these classes
joyful and with a peaceful view of their lives. Call Dr. Marceline Failla at
503-228-6140.
C an cer R esource C enter — Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and
the American Red Cross have joined forces to create the first in-hospital
resource center providing books, printed material, computer access and
more for individuals and families dealing with cancer. The center is open
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
: Tabe the Ä
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Tabe
In February, our thoughts o f
ten turn to V alentine’s Day, an
occasion to celebrate and nurture
relationships w ith loved ones.
W hen y o u ’re with that special
someone, even the sim plest ro
mantic gesture, a box o f choco
lates or a heartfelt card, may take
your breath away.
But when it’s not the result of
love sickness, shortness of breath
is no holiday. In fact, it can be
devastating.
COPD, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, is an obstruc
tion of the lungs that makes it
difficult to breathe. It's the third
leading cause o f death in the
United States.
Also known by names such as
chronic bronchitis or emphysema,
COPD develops slowly and w ors
ens over time. In severe cases, the
disease can eventually limit pa
tients from doing even the most
basic activities that most o f us
take for granted, such as walking,
cooking or taking care of them
selves.
Currently there are more than
12 million people diagnosed with
COPD, and its estim ated that an
other 12 million are living with the
maintain muscle strength in the arms
and legs. Pursuing regular exercise
such as walking or biking with your
companion can help you stay active
and carry out every-day tasks.
In addition to lifestyle changes,
you and your doctor should sit down
to discuss which therapies may best
control your COPD symptoms.
Prescription medicines can help
treat complications of the disease
and improve your overall health.
Fortunately, a recent survey reveals
that there are 54 medicines in devel
opment for COPD by America’s
biopharm aceutical research and
manufacturing companies.
Of course, this innovation is for
naught if patients can’t access the
medicines they need. Luckily, the
Partnership for Prescription Assis
tan ce
(1 -8 8 8 -4 P P A -N O W ;
pparx.org) helps connect patients
in need to patient assistance pro
grams that offer more than 2,500
medicines for free or nearly free and
provides information on more than
10,000 free health care clinics in
America. It takes less than 15 min
utes to find out if you may qualify.
This February, take care that
you’re not left breathless. Unless,
that is, it’s because o f a valentine.
disease, but unaware.
W hile COPD doesn’t dispro
portionately affect the African
A m erican co m m unity, studies
have shown that African A m eri
cans with COPD use few er health
Services than their white counter
parts, which may lead to racial
disparities in health outcom es.
It’s im portant to see your doc
tor if you exhibit any o f the sym p
toms of COPD, such as chronic
coughing or shortness of breath,
and to follow their prescribed
health regimen for controlling the
disease.
There is no cure for COPD, but
there are changes you can make to
help prevent the disease, manage
its effects or slow its progression.
If y o u 're a sm oker, it’s no sur
prise that the most important thing
to do is quit smoking immediately.
Not only is kicking the cigarette
habit a good choice for your
health, but your significant other
Larry Lucas is a retired vice
will likely thank you for it too.
president fo r Pharmaceutical Re
For patients diagnosed with search and M anufacturers o f
COPD, it's important to build and America.
Donors Get Tickets
Every Tuesday
5:30 - 7:15 p m to Body Worlds
fu ti w alk in
Northeast Health Center
5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
2nd Floor
Bring or mention this ad to get a
FREE A ANONYMOUS or
CONFIDENTIAL test for HIV!
Blood donors at the Portland,
The Body Worlds and the Brain
Salem, and Vancouver Red Cross exhibit includes more than 200 au
donor centers will receive a free thentic human specimens, includ
ticket to the Body Worlds and the ing entire bodies, individual organs,
Brain exhibit at OMSI if their dona and transparent body slices, re
tions are made on Friday and Satur serv ed th ro u g h von H a g e n s’
day during the month of February. Plastination. process.
A ppointm ents for blood and
This all-new presentation high
platelet donors are preferred by call lights neuroscience, brain develop
ing 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting ment, and performance and invites
redcrossblood.org/pnw and enter profound reflection on the power,
ing
the
sp o n so r
co d e: beauty, and fragility of the amazing
human body and brain.
bodyworldsOMSI.