Healing Heart Hall of Fame

Great night, great memories, and education at it's best!

Last night at the Hempfield Hall of Fame the evidence of a great education and a sports program with the correct focus develops young adults that become successful people.  Here is the formula for all you math freaks out there!

Take 1 young person, add a caring & loving family, multiply with quality educators & coaches, add a tradition of previous graduates AND you get a successful person!  Congrats to all the new inductees!

Jeff Bradley
Bill Bowers
Jeff Fritz
Ryan Butt
James Bemesderfer
And the 1976 Girls Swim Team

Open Heart Surgery & Healing!

Today is another great day towards healing a heart!  Today I will introduce an athlete I coached in the 80's, who is entering the Hempfield High School Hall of Fame!  My surgery has given me the chance to do things this past year that I may have missed!  I am VERY thankful!

Who will I introduce tonight - Jeff Fritz, one of the top runners in Hempfield Track & Field History!

Tonight I will see Jeff & his family!  Another great day & another reason to give thanks for my family & friends, doctors, & thank God for this great opportunity!!

Cholesterol Quiz

Time for a quiz - take the Cholesterol Quiz!

Click here to take the Quiz on Cholesterol

How did you do?  I missed one.  The last one.

1. Certain "super foods" like fatty fish, walnuts, and oatmeal can lower cholesterol levels.
   

   You answered: Fact

   The correct answer is: Fact
   Researchers have found that some foods -- such as fatty fish, walnuts, oatmeal, and oat bran and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols -- can help control your cholesterol. Some studies have shown that a diet combining these super foods may work as well as some cholesterol-lowering medicines to reduce your "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.

   How strong is the evidence? The FDA has reviewed the research on each of these foods and given them the status of a "health claim" for managing cholesterol.
2. All high cholesterol levels put you at risk for disease.
   

   You answered: Myth

   The correct answer is: Myth
   Your body needs cholesterol to create cell membranes and hormones. But there are two kinds of cholesterol: "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL). It's the bad LDL cholesterol that builds up in your arteries, leading to heart disease. Good cholesterol actually helps remove bad cholesterol from the blood. A higher HDL is better; aim for 60 mg/dL or more. A lower LDL is best; aim for less than 100 mg/dL. A healthy low-fat diet and exercise naturally help you manage cholesterol. Medications help when diet and exercise alone are not enough.
3. There are noticeable symptoms of high-risk cholesterol.
   

   You answered: Myth

   The correct answer is: Myth
   One in five Americans has high cholesterol. Unfortunately, many don't know it because there are usually no symptoms. Some people only learn they have high cholesterol after a heart attack or stroke. Not sure whether you have high-risk cholesterol? Get routine cholesterol screenings every five years -- starting in your 20s. Men over 45 and women over 55 need cholesterol testing more often because the risk of heart disease rises as we age. People with borderline high cholesterol may need cholesterol tests every one to two years.
4. You have high risk cholesterol when total cholesterol is above 240 mg/dl.
   

   You answered: Fact

   The correct answer is: Fact
   When total cholesterol is above 240 mg/dL, you're considered to have high risk cholesterol -- which can raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease and other conditions. If you're diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor will probably recommend a mixture of drug therapy, diet changes, and exercise.
5. High risk cholesterol increases your chances of type 2 diabetes.
   

   You answered: Fact

   The correct answer is: Fact
   High risk cholesterol can play a part in the development of type 2 diabetes. Good (HDL) cholesterol below 35 mg/dL is one diabetes risk factor, as is being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, being inactive and having high blood pressure. And type 2 diabetes, like high risk cholesterol, can be "silent," meaning you may not know you have the condition. Learn your diabetes risk: Get a fasting blood sugar test starting at 45, and then at least every three years thereafter.
6. High risk cholesterol does not increase your risks of heart attack, and stroke.
   

   You answered: Myth

   The correct answer is: Myth
   When you have high risk cholesterol you have a greater chance of cholesterol building up in your arteries, which can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Lower your risk by getting your cholesterol checked and then following your doctor's recommendations. If you're at high risk for heart attack, know the symptoms to watch for, including: severe chest pain often described as pressure, heaviness or discomfort; breathing problems; weakness; pain in the upper abdomen (often mistaken for heartburn); and/or sweating, nausea and vomiting. If you think you're having a heart attack don't wait, call 911 immediately.
7. High cholesterol can affect blood flow to the penis, causing erectile dysfunction.
   

   You answered: Fact

   The correct answer is: Fact
   As cholesterol plaques form and grow inside arteries, they eventually can begin to block blood flow. Less blood flow to the penis means a less firm erection. Atherosclerosis, also called clogged arteries, is the leading cause of erectile dysfunction. High blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes are other factors that contribute to atherosclerosis.
8. You should get your first cholesterol test at age 45.
   

   You answered: Fact

   The correct answer is: Myth
   Everyone should get a cholesterol test at least every five years, starting in their 20s. Called a fasting lipid profile, it's a simple blood test done after you've not eaten for 9-12 hours. The results of the test break down your cholesterol into triglycerides, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol. Healthy figures are: less than 150 mg/dL for triglycerides; HDL of 60 mg/dL or higher; LDL lower than 100 mg/dL; and total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL. If you have questions about high-risk cholesterol or about how diet and exercise affect cholesterol, talk to your doctor.

   
   

My Blog One Year Later

What was I thinking one year ago?  One good thing about a blog is you can look back & see what you were thinking!  Here is my timeline that I produced:

Last Years Blog 1/1/11:

November 16, 2010 - Family Doctor Appointment - Mountville Family Practice

November 17, 2010 - Cardiologist Appointment - Dr. Smith

November 19, 2010 - Heart Cath & result was "Triple" Bypass needed

November 19, 2010 - Decided to go to Lancaster General, instead Lancaster Regional

November 19, 2010 - scheduled appointment with Cardi0cthoracic Surgeons of Lancaster

December 2, 2010 - had my initial consult with Dr. Burlingame

December 10, 2010 - pre-op testing for surgery at Lancaster General Downtown Pavilion

December 13, 2010 - Heart Surgery - went from a triple to quintuple bypass

December 17, 2010 - Home from surgery

December 29, 2010 - 1st meeting with Cardiac rehab & last meeting with Dr. Burlingame

And here we are January 1, 2011! If you are counting, that is 45 days after the visit with my family doctor. 17 days after my surgery.

For anyone that may think they are having heart issues - DO SOMETHING!!!  SEE YOUR DOCTOR!

After one year I feel better.  Still have my occasional PVC's during exercise, but otherwise feel OK.  Another question for the doctor will be, the area that I had my two heart catheterizations, is tender when I sit for a while - watching TV, driving the car, etc.  My next doctor appointment is next week - Jan 10th.

Happy New Year 2012

Have a Great 2012!

New Years Eve 2012 Fox News

New Years Eve 2012 via CNN

New Years Eve with Lady Gaga

New Years Eve - Lebanon, PA - Bologna Drop (from 2011)

New Years Eve - Dillsburg, PA - Pickle Drop (from 2011)