CARDIAC ATHLETIC SOCIETY EDMONTON

Heart Murmurs
February 2012

CHRISTMAS PARTY (AND FOOTBALL FROLIC)

Dave Ingledew arranged a great Christmas party in late November. We had 56 paid-up guests and only 2 no-shows. To share in Grey Cup excitement that evening we had a TV receiver supplied and set up by Richard Schopff.

Celebrating the Grey Cup, we had a pool on the scores in each quarter and for the final score. Henry Unrau, Marilla Currie-Wasney, and Dave Ingledew won $20 each for quarter scores and Shirley Southwood won the $40 final score prize.

At the party, Jenny Dowdell was awarded a lifetime honorary CASE membership.

THE MOVE TO THE TERWILLEGAR RECREATION CENTRE:

We moved again! The exercisers and volleyball people are settling in to new accomodation at the Terwillegar Recreation Center on our usual Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. One change is that volleyball is now being played before exercising rather than after. Volleyball is held from 4:00 PM to 4:45 and the exercises are scheduled from 4:45 to 5:30. This timetable works better for members who are still working and cannot get to the Recreation Centre by 4:00 PM.

PURCHASE OF NEW MEMBERSHIP CARDS OR RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP CARDS.

Our membership coordinator, Ron Kirschner, has, for years, collected fees and distributed membership cards and receipts on a personal contact basis (at exercise, social breakfasts, barbecue or Christmas party). This has been successful, for the most part, with regular exercisers, but not so with new members or with base members who do not participate in the regular scheduled exercise sessions.

Thus, the exchange of paper has dragged on endlessly and some members have paid their dues, unacceptably late in the year for that current year. It also requires the carrying of the paper on a continuing basis.

We ask that, unless you definitely expect to see Ron at exercise, you forward payment to:

Cardiac Athletic Society of Edmonton

c/o Ron Kirschner

12438 – 28A Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta

T6J4E1

 

You membership card and receipt will be forwarded to you via Canada Post.

You are reminded that dues are due January 1, or earlier, each year to be effective for that year. A CASE membership card for 2012 is required to qualify you for the 2012 discount offered by the City of Edmonton.

DAVE BUIJS RESEARCH ON PREDICTORS OF EXERCISE PARTICIPATION UNDERWAY.

Dave Bujis met with about 20 CASE members at our Education and Self Improvement session held January 9. He reviewed some of the literature on aerobic fitness. His definition of aerobic fitness is the ability to have endurance doing something over a period of time. He observed that regular, sustained exercise can increase aerobic fitness at any age.

To develop and retain aerobic capacity requires physical activity that leads to expending energy. Just living expends energy, however building aerobic capacity will require more work than just sitting in front of the TV. The question becomes "How much energy expenditure is enough to sustain heart health?" Guidelines indicate that "Frequency, Intensity, and Time" are key variables that will determine the resulting aerobic capacity acheived. Current health guidelines suggest that 150 minute a week of moderate to vigourous exercise is a good target. This leads to the questions of what is moderate to intense exercise and does the exercise have to be tied to exercise programs?

Keys seem to be the intesity and duration of exercising more than the program being followed. For example, Metabolic Equivalents suggest a target of 3 to 5 METS per day. Walking at 5 km per hour for an hour will expend 3 METS and shovelling snow for an hour (which may not be a great idea for cardiac patients) will expend about 10 METS. Measuring the intensity of the exercise as a percentage of aerobic capacity also define the level of intensity. Moderate intensity might be defined as working at 40 to 60 % of aerobic capacity.

Another approach is measuring the calories expended in exercising. A target might be to expend 1000 to 1500 calories per week. Walking an hour at 5 km per hour expends about 300 calories.

Dave's study will be examining the impact of regular physical exercise on the ongoing health of older cardiac patients. Dave was recruiting participants in the study which will require completion of questionnaires, an assessment of the current ability to perform everyday tasks, and a recording of your physical activity over a four day period. This study is of particular relevance to member of CASE. If you want to participate in the research program Dave can be contacted at 780-492-2609. If you are interested please contact him as soon as possible since the data collection is now underway.

ODDS AND ENDS

Ruth West, the Registered Dietician who has spoken with CASE will be giving her "Eating for a Healthy Heart Program" at the Grey Nuns Hospital, 3015 62 Street, Tuesday February 21 between 7 and 9 PM. To register call 780 735 7427.

Alberta Health Services provides information sessions te families and friends who are caring for people with Dementia or declining memory and cognitive abilities. These sessions are offered at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital 10230 111 Avenue, Edmonton. Upcoming dates are February 13 and March 12 and the sessions are from 6 to 9 PM. Please call 780735-7968 to register for a session.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY 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 )

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Event	Date	Time	Place
Executive Meeting	Mon. Jan. 9	9:00 AM	SEESA
Social Breakfast	Wed. Jan. 25	9:00 AM	SEESA
Education and Self Help	Mon. Jan. 30	7:00 PM	SEESA
Executive Meeting	Mon. Feb. 6	9:00 AM	SEESA
Social Breakfast	Wed. Feb. 22	9:00 AM	SEESA
Bowling night: - There will be a charge for this event that will depend on the number of lanes and games played. It should be less than $20.00 each for the evening.	Mon. Feb. 27	7:00 PM	Bonnie Doon Bowling Lanes
Executive Meeting	Mon. Mar. 12	9:00 AM	SEESA
Social Breakfast	Wed. Mar. 21	9:00 AM	SEESA
AGM and Wine and Cheese Event	Mon. Mar. 26	7:00 PM	SEESA
Executive Meeting	Mon. Apr. 9	9:00 AM	SEESA
Social Breakfast	Wed. Apr. 18	9:00 AM	SEESA
Education and Self Help	Mon. Apr. 23	7:00 PM	SEESA
Executive Meeting	Mon. May. 12	9:00 AM	SEESA
Social Breakfast	Wed. May. 21	9:00 AM	SEESA

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

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

            Mazankowski Heart Institute                                 address is 8840112 Street, Edmonton

            Bonnie Doon Bowling Lanes                                 address is in Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre
                                                                                    basement.