CASE Board and Executive

Glen Gregory, President
Phone: 780-434-3336, Cell 446-8383
Email: president@edmontoncase.org

Ron Kirschner, Membership
Phone: 780-436-0402
Email: membership@edmontoncase.org

UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS Social Breakfasts:  Last Wednesday of February, March, April and May at  9:00 AM South East Edmonton Seniors Centre 9350 82 Street Edmonton. Self Help and Education Sessions:  Last Monday of, February, March, and April at 7:00 PM Alberta School for the Deaf,

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AND
EDUCATION/SELF HELP PROGRAM

Monday March 23, 2008  7:00PM

Alberta School for the Deaf

UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS Social Breakfasts:  Last Wednesday of March, April and May at  9:00 AM South East Edmonton Seniors Centre 9350 82 Street Edmonton. Self Help and Education Sessions:  The last session for 2008-09 is on Monday March23 at 7:00 PM Alberta School for the Deaf.

The CASE Annual Meeting will occur at 7:00 PM March 23, at the Alberta School for the Deaf.  It is important that you consider serving on the Executive for the 2009-2010 year.  Ron Torgeson is seeking nominations for the Executive Committee. 

After years of valuable service Brian Jones is resigning from his position as the Director of Special Projects.  Nominations for that position are being sought. 

Nominations also are needed for up to three 'Directors at Large'.  These positions provide an opportunity to become more familiar with CASE and its operations and to provide advice and assistance as CASE develops and expands its vital role in heart health in Edmonton and the region. 

UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS

Social Breakfasts:  Last Wednesday of March, April and May at  9:00 AM South East Edmonton Seniors Centre 9350 82 Street Edmonton.

Self Help and Education Sessions:  The last session for 2008-09 is on Monday March23 at 7:00 PM Alberta School for the Deaf.

Although the rest of the existing executive has agreed to serve again, it should also be noted that any nomination can be contested at the AGM by nominations from the floor.  If you are interested in serving, please contact Ron Torgeson at 780 435-5344 or by e-mail at torg@shaw.ca

After the AGM is over, who wouldn't want to hear some positive financial news these "dark" days?  The speakers at the Education and Self Help meeting at 7:00 PM on March 23 will be Vern Gabert and Ralph Berke (a dynamic tag-team duo) from Investors Group.  They will provide us with some timely and useful information about the new Tax Free Savings Account as well as related aspects, all explained in ordinary, easy to understand, everyday language.

Vern Gabert comes to us with some 22 years expertise in the field of finance as a consultant, banker, and stock broker.  He lives on an acreage near Cooking Lake, enjoys horseback riding, gardening and sketching and volunteers his free time as a fund raiser auctioneer. His colleague, Ralph Berke, is a Certified Financial Planner, who enjoys working with retirees or those within 15 years of retirement.  He also is an active community volunteer and serves as Treasurer for his church.

RECAP FROM THE FEBRUARY  SELF HELP SESSION

Dr. Evan Lockwood spoke to us on the topic "An Electrician's Perspective on Pacemakers and Defibrillators".  He noted that a 'normal heart rate' usually is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) and that the rate will rise with exercise and fall when at rest.  Drugs such as beta blockers may lower heart rates.  Consequently, heart patients may experience problems associated with too low heart rates, below 40 bpm, and this may result in the need for a pacemaker to maintain an acceptable heart rate.  Symptoms of problems with maintaining a proper heart rate may be diagnosed as part of an electrocardiogram test.

The pacemaker regulates heart beat first by stimulating the upper atrium in the heart and then by stimulating the ventricle.  Pacemakers read the rhythm of the heart and may be set to deliver a charge only when there is a risk of stoppage or may be set to deliver constant pace regulation.  Symptoms of a heart beating too fast include palpitations, dizziness and eventually blacking out.  In cases where this is a common problem a pacemaker combined with a defibrillator may be prescribed.  These devices are termed an implantable cardiac defibrillator or ICD.  Typically these devices are only installed in patients that have survived cardiac arrest or who are deemed to be at a high risk of future cardiac arrests.

The process used when the ICD detects a racing heart rate is to even further stimulate it since in many cases the burst of extra energy will return the heart to a normal rate.  If that does not work the ICD then will administer a shock to return the heart back to a normal rate. 

In more severe cases where there is a history of severe heart attacks and risk of electrical failure of the heart Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) may be used.  In these cases three leads are installed to provide continuous stimulation in order to have a more efficient heart beat. 

The progression through pacemakers, ICD and CRT devices is progressively more expensive and requires more rigorous monitoring by the heart team.  Replacement of batteries will be  more frequent depending upon the amount of stimulation that has to be administered.  At this time the patient has to be present for a check-up of the system whenever this is needed.  However, the technology to do remote monitoring is available and is now being tested in Alberta.

More detailed information on pacemakers, ICD's and CRT is available through the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society at: http://www.chrsonline.ca/patients/index.htm  on the internet

THE SOCIAL CALENDAR

Lois Halls won the free breakfast at the February social breakfast.   The March breakfast is set for Wednesday March 25, at 9:00 AM at the South East Edmonton Seniors Centre 9350 82 Street Edmonton.

MONEY STUFF...,

The bad news is that 2009 dues are now overdue.  The good news is there is no penalty for  late payment!  Cost is $153.00 for full membership including Education/Self Help and $138.00 for additional exercise member.  The cost for only Education/self Help is $15.00.  Contact Membership Director Ron Kirschner at exercise or call at 436-0402.  Members will be asked to check and update their medical information held on file by CASE and that must be done before the dues are paid.  Donna Haugh will be managing the updates of the medical information.

HEARTS AND FLOWERS

If you are aware of any member who has taken ill, has been confined to their home, or has been hospitalized, please e-mail this information to:  info@edmontoncase.org  or call Phil Bradshaw 780-434-1349, Barry Latham 780-452-2611 or Glen Gregory 780-434-3336.

THE 2009 CASE WEIGHT CHALLENGE

We have good news and bad news and other news too..  The good news is that of the 28 participants in the weight challenge who weighed in during February 14 had lost 22 pounds!  The bad news is that the other 14 participants that weighed in had gained 25 pounds...  The leaders in the competition as of mid February are Sig Dietze, Phil Bradshaw and Rita Haugh.  Those who gained weight will remain nameless... for now!

A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHIVIST

Over the past two years the Cardiac Society of Edmonton (CASE) has gathered up much of it history - records and documents, telling its story of its early beginnings as an outgrowth of the University of Alberta Hospital and its professional rehabilitation staff.  CASE’s first exercise rehabilitation class for ex-patients began in 1976  using the gym located in the former Nurses’ residence.  Soon after, the executive membership of the day initiated an educational component -  Self-Help general membership meetings wherein  outside speakers were invited to speak on a range of topics giving special emphasis to heart health topics and issues of recovery, rehabilitation and life style changes.

Formally incorporated as a charitable and non profit organization on the 26th of April, 1989  under the Societies Act of Alberta, CASE continues to function with its present-day executive actively carrying forward a mission of service, support, and education to its membership and surrounding community.  A spirit of volunteerism together with a common bond of friendship continues to characterize its philosophy and guides its ever present direction and accomplishments.

An abridged version – Indexes of Contents - with titles and sub-titles of its14 binders and list of “other resources” is now available for use by any of CASE’s members.  Suggested guidelines for Archives borrowing resemble that of a standard library practice with a record kept of  borrowers name, title of archives borrowed, telephone number (email address, if desired) and date borrowed. Responsibility for the return of the Archives rests with the borrower.

Further details and other information concerning the availability and use of the Archives, please telephone Dave Fleiger, CASE Archivist at (780) 465-2685.

VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT STROKES

The good news is that a neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally.  However, the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours.  T

The bad news is that it is often difficult to get a diagnosis and get a patient into treatment within the 3 hour time frame.  Stroke symptoms may not be readily recognizable to most people.  However, everybody can remember three steps which are critical in the early recognition that a stroke has occurred.  The three steps are summarized as S. T. R.

·         S.  Ask the individual to SMILE.  An inability to control facial muscles may well be a symptom.  Another sign of stroke may be seen if the person is asked to STICK OUT THEIR TONGUE.  If the tongue goes to one side of the mouth or the other (it seems to be crooked) this is a another sign of a stroke.

·         T.  Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.  An inability to speak coherently can be a symptom of a stroke.

·         R.  Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.  Lack of muscle control or unusual weakness of either or both arms may be a symptom

If  the person has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. 

Upcoming Classes in association with Planet Organic

There Is No Disease:   More and more research shows that chronic "diseases" like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis are not diseases at all but rather "conditions".  The research is showing that these conditions are created largely by what we eat, and they can be "cured" or restored by changing what we eat.  Come learn what foods provide our bodies with what's necessary to stay healthy and strong and avoid, or eliminate, these chronic conditions.  A small meal will be served.

The class is on Tuesday, March 24th - 7 pm at Bill and Connie de Crammer's home (call for directions and RSVP at 780 481-7917)  Cost: $10

True Health Assurance:  More and more people are feeling that our food choices either lead to doctor's bills or a strong foundation of health. Come taste some of the foods that help build a strong foundation of health and learn why.  The class is on Wednesday, April 1st at 6:30 pm at the Planet Organic Market - 7917 104 St.

Listening and Selecting the Most Healthy Foods :  Our bodies are sending signals all the time on what foods to select that give great health.  Come learn how to "hear" and follow these signals and how to shop for those foods that give the greatest levels of health.   The class is on Wednesday, April 15th at 6:30 pm at the Planet Organic Market - 7917 104 St.

BIRTHDAYS...

2008 Cardiac Athletic Society of Edmonton