CARDIAC ATHLETIC SOCIETY EDMONTON

Heart Murmurs
Spring - Summer 2010

 

ANNUAL BARBEQUE

Get your tickets now for the Annual Barbeque which is set for Friday June 4, 2010 at the Malmo Community League Hall. The event starts at 4:30 PM and costs $16.00 per person. You can purchase tickets from Jim Hammond (780 437-0543). Come for lots of good food and friendship!

MONTHLY SOCIAL BREAKFAST

The last social breakfast until the fall was held Wednesday April 28th. Winners of the free breakfasts were Roy Haugh in February and Doreen Schaufele in March.

GOLF ...

The ongoing ball chasing and hunting ritual is being played out by CASE member at Twin Willows Golf Course 14110 156 street, until fall. Tee time is noon on Wednesdays. Speak to Barry Latham 452-2611 for more information.

THE 2010 WEIGHT CHALLENGE

The challenge has been met... The winners were Lynn Bohuch losing 3.8 % of her original body weight, Stuart Embleton losing 2.9% and Doug Robb who lost 1.7%.

Lynn had returned from her bicycle excursion in the Okanogan just before the final weigh in so we have to wonder if freezing in the rain and peddling in circles had anything to do with the weight loss... Perhaps she will arrange tours for more of us next year.

We had 20 entrants in the weight loss pool and of these, only 15 had the final weigh-in. In all, 32 members had the initial weigh-in, in January and 22 did the May weighed-in. For all the members who did both the January and May weigh-ins in aggregate we gained 2.6 pound... Considering only those members who entered the competition essentially there was no aggregate weight loss or gain...

A side note. Sig Dietze did not enter the competition this year but, if he had, he would have finished in third spot. Perhaps we need to have Sig give us a lecture on effective weight loss strategies!

If there is interest, we could run a weight challenge in the fall before we gain all the weight at Christmas time. Let Barry Clark know if you would like a fall challenge as well.

 

VITAMIN D DEFICENCY LINKED TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Two studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D is associated with both an increased risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older subjects with no history of CVD — as well as an increased rate of depression in those who do have heart disease. Both studies were conducted at the Intermountain Medical Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. One study compared blood vitamin D levels in 27,686 individuals with no history of CVD. Those with very low levels of the vitamin were 77% more likely to die from any cause, 45% more likely to develop CVD, 78% more likely to have a stroke, and twice as likely to suffer heart failure than those with normal vitamin D levels (over 30 nanograms per millilitre of blood).

In the second study, vitamin D blood levels were measured in 8,680 people ages 50 and older who had been diagnosed with CVD. Of those with very low levels of the vitamin, 32% were depressed compared with 21% of subjects with normal levels. The trend was noted even in those with no history of depression.

According to Dr. Heidi May, an epidemiologist who participated in both studies, the findings suggest that vitamin D levels should be monitored more aggressively and that low levels should be treated. While the study does not establish a definite link between vitamin D and heart disease or depression, studies have shown that vitamin D regulates key functions such as blood pressure, inflammation and glucose control, all of which are related to heart disease. D deficiency has already been associated with musculoskeletal disorders, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. This hormone-like nutrient is produced from a cholesterol-like substance in skin cells upon exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. In the diet, it is found in fatty fish, egg yolk, liver, lean beef, fortified milk and multivitamin supplements.

Source: http://www.canadian-health.ca/5_1/35_e.html Reporting on American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions

 

NOTES ON THE MARCH GUEST SPEAKER

Our guest speaker was Lina-Dee Andres. She focused her talk on what the Edmonton Lifelong Learning Association (ELLA) is about, the history of the organization and what the course openings available.

The Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association (ELLA) was founded in 2001 in cooperation with the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension to provide learning opportunities for older adults. ELLA is a registered, non-profit organization administered by volunteers. Annual membership in the Association is $2. ELLA membership. and An age over 50, are the only requirement for enrollment in the programs offered at the U of A each May. For 2010 the cost to enroll in the May program sessions was $220 whether you take one or five courses over the period. There is a slight extra charge for materials for those who register for the art classes.

In 2010, the programs were offered in the Education Building at the U of A. each day from Monday to Friday. The association's past course offerings cover diverse subjects including Writing, Literature, History, Political Science, Art History have been of high interest to participants. It is a more relaxed approach to lifelong learning with no tests, quizzes or assignments.

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 contact Donna Haugh at 780-463-0644 (rdonyx@shaw.ca) or Glen Gregory at 780 434-3336 (gsgregory@shaw.ca) .

TAX BREAK AIMED AT FIGHTING FLAB

Alberta is still considering adopting a $500 tax credit for fitness fees

Albertans, like most Canadians, keep getting fatter. So in an attempt to reverse rising obesity rates and encourage active lifestyles, the Alberta government is considering a fitness tax break of up to $500 on fees for things like gym memberships, ski passes and hockey registration.

“We saw it pretty clearly with the tax break on home renovations—people jump on the bandwagon,” says Colleen Parsons, director of health and fitness programs at the University of Calgary. “It’s an excellent opportunity for people to engage.” The bill to make fitness memberships a tax benefit was passed in the legislature in 2008 but has not been budgeted and implemented to this date. It is supposed to update the province’s 12-year-old active-living policy, which the government and provincial sports organizations say needs retooling.

Cindy Ady, Alberta’s minister for tourism, parks and recreation, agrees. She says the tax incentive needs to be part of a larger program aimed at changing the minds of Albertans, and that the government still needs to go through consultations to figure out what works best. “I don’t want little quick fixes,” says Ady. “The tax credit piece is just one component. (Source: From an article in Macleans By Tom Henheffer - Thursday, March 18, 2010 )

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Event	Date	Time	Place
Barbeque 2010	Friday Jun 4	4:30 PM	Malmo
Last day of Exercise at School for the Deaf Spring 2010	Thurs. Jun 29	4:30 PM	ASD
Summer 2010 Exercises begin at Kinsmen Field House	Tues. Jul 6	4:30 PM	Kinsmen
Fall 2010 Exercises begin at School for the Deaf	Tues. Aug 31	4:30 PM	ASD
Sept Education/Self Help Session	Mon. Sept 27	7:00 PM	ASD
October Education Self Help Session	Mon. Oct 25	7:00 PM	ASD
Social Breakfast	Wed. Oct 27	9:00 AM	SEESA
Nov Education Self Help Session	Mon. Nov 29	7:00 PM	ASD
Social Breakfast	Wed. Nov24	9:00 AM	SEESA
Christmas Party 2010	Sun. Dec 5	4:30 PM	Malmo

 

Notes: SEESA:            The South East Edmonton Seniors Assoc.   address is 9350 82nd Street, Edmonton

            ASD:              The Alberta School for the Deaf                 address is 6240-113 Street, Edmonton

            Malmo:            Malmo Community League                       address is 11525 48th Avenue Edmonton