Greenville Business Magazine 2010 February issue : Page 15stroke even, if they have no other risk factors. Excess weight increases the heart’s work. But by losing even as few as 10 pounds, you can lower your heart disease and diabetes risk. Diabetes mellitus Diabetes seriously increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Even when glucose levels are under control, diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. If you have diabetes, it’s extremely important to work with your healthcare provider to manage it and control any other risk factors you can. Stress Individual response to stress may be a contributing factor. Some scientists have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person’s life. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would. Alcohol Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. It contributes to obesity, alcoholism, suicide and accidents. The risk of heart disease in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one drink for women or two drinks for men per day) is lower than in nondrinkers. It’s not recom- mended that nondrinkers start using alcohol or that drinkers increase the amount they drink. Diet and Nutrition A healthy diet is one of the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascu- lar disease. The food you eat (and the amount) can affect other controllable risk factors: cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, fish, lean protein and fat-free or low-fat dairy products is the key. And to maintain a healthy weight, coordinate your diet with your physical activity level, so you’re using up as many calories as you take in. ■ Dr. Hiremath is an Interventional Cardiologist with Carolina Medical Afficiates in Boiling Springs. Greenville Ob Gyn Associates COmprehensive WOmen’s CAre F. edwin ellison, Jr., m.D., F.A.C.O.G. roger h. Gower, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. Lauren D. Demosthenes, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. michael D. stamm, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. eric h. Troutman, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. stephen W. price, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. Jennifer Chasedunn-roark, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. Jonathan Q. Bailey, m.D., F.A.C.O.G. stella m. Walvoord, m.D. 2 memorial medical Drive Greenville • 295-4210 1025 verdae Blvd., suite F Greenville • 286-7500 727 s.e. main st., suite 120 simpsonville • 454-6500 www.greenvilleobgyn.com FEBRUARY 2010 | GREENVILLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 15 Publication List |
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