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Heartline Magazine April - June 2005
CEO’s Outlook
Adrian J.L. Randall Chief Executive
Officer
As I said when I was appointed my most significant task is
managing the balancing act to ensure that the Foundation moves forward on all
fronts. In other words, that positive progress is made on the path to achieving
the stated goals for each key strategic area. However for this quarter let me
turn my attention away from running the Foundation to other things but with a
heart connection.
In my spare time I am amongst other things an avid reader of
magazines. One I looked at recently dealing with timeshare contained an article
entitled “Vacation for the Health of It” which gave some very sound advice. I
also learnt that the USA is the only industrialised nation without a minimum
paid-leave law! Apparently to quote:
“ A 2001 study by the USA’s Families and Work Institute
found that workers who failed to take all their vacation time felt far more
overworked than those who did.”
Somewhat alarmingly the article went on: “In 1985,
researchers found that middle-aged women who participated in the landmark
Framingham Heart Study and took infrequent vacations were eight times more
likely to have a heart attack or die of heart disease.”
Not sure about middle-aged men but as far I am concerned the
message is clear, and to quote Canadian family physician Mel Borins:
“Occupational strain decreases and the ability to
concentrate increases after a vacation.”
Obviously not the only answer to reducing the risk of a
heart problem, as undoubtedly our survey of Barbadians’ knowledge, attitudes and
practices of/to heart disease will show. However vacations are one way of
lowering stress levels, which therefore can only be good for us.
Then I came across in SAGA Magazine February 2005 in their
monthly Here’s Health section an article entitled “The fabulous fifty”. For
those unfamiliar with SAGA this is a UK organisation set up for those persons
aged 50 or over and is similar to BARP. The article listed out “invaluable hints
on slashing the risk of illness and increasing your chances of a long and happy
life”. Eleven of the fifty referred to the heart or cardiovascular disease.
Some of the hints I was aware of but several I was not, so
let me share some of the eleven with you.
“Floss. Did you know that inflammation-causing bacteria lurk
in the tiny gaps between your teeth? Floss them away and reduce the risk of gum
disease that can make you 72% more likely to suffer from heart disease according
to Harvard Medical School research.”
“Believe in something. Church attendance increases life
expectancy, according to the International journal for Psychiatry and Medicine.
It helps to counter stress and emotional problems and appears to protect against
heart, respiratory and digestive diseases.”
“Get enough sleep. Fewer than five hours of sleep produces
higher levels of a blood-clotting protein called fibrinogen that could slow
blood flow to the brain and heart.”
“Use your onion. Anything from the onion family, including
garlic and leeks, is a good detoxifier, as well as being antiseptic and
antibacterial. Their sulphur compounds help protect against cancers and
cardiovascular disease as well as strengthening bones.”
“Fall in love. Love is a great healer, says a Yale
University study, which discovered fewer artery blockages in the hearts of
people who felt well loved. A healthy sex life can boost the immune system, burn
calories and release pain-bursting endorphins.”
“Weighty matters. Fat cells churn out hormones that increase
the risk of heart disease and cancers of the colon, womb, gall bladder, ovaries
and breast, according to the British Heart Foundation. More than 10% of heart
attacks are due to obesity.”
“Exercise. Fitness is crucial throughout our lives, helping
us to halve heart disease risk, build bone strength and maintain balance to
avoid life-threatening falls in later life.”
So I am off now for my daily swim before a light supper and
a healthy glass of red wine.
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