Body and Machine
February Is American Heart Month
Sponsored by the American Heart Association each February, American Heart Month is a time to educate Americans about what they can do to battle the nation’s leading cause of death: cardiovascular disease.
Coronary heart disease is the most common form of cardiovascular disease in the United States and it often first appears as heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a first heart attack and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. Every 25 seconds, an American will have a heart attack. Every minute, an American will die from one.
You are at higher risk of heart disease if you are:
• A woman age 55 or older.
• A man age 45 or older.
• Or a person with a family history of early heart disease.
Although heart disease is still often perceived as a “man’s disease,” it is the leading cause of death in both men and women. In 2007, heart disease killed 309,821 men 306,246 women.
Another common misperception is that heart disease is an “older woman’s disease.” While heart disease is the leading cause of death in women ages 65 and older, it’s also the second-leading cause of death in women ages 45-64 and the third-leading cause of death in women ages 25-44.
Despite these grim statistics, many women still underestimate their own risk of getting heart disease. A 2009 survey revealed that 69 percent of women are aware that heart disease is their number one killer but that 33 percent of women don’t personally take this threat seriously.
Although American Heart Month is aimed at both men and women, one of its major initiatives each year is The Heart Truth Campaign. In 2002, the campaign introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness.
This year’s National Wear Red Day is Feb. 3, which provides an opportunity for women to promote awareness by wearing a favorite red dress or Red Dress Pin. In recent years, an increasing number of men at workplaces and elsewhere have expressed their solidarity by wearing a red shirt or tie.
Know the Signs and Symptoms
The American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, American Red Cross, and the National Council on Aging recently launched a new “Act in Time” campaign to increase awareness of heart attack the importance of calling 911 immediately after the onset of symptoms.
A heart attack may be sudden and intense. But it also can develop slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Signs that suggest a heart attack is happening include:
• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Prevention Strategies
The best way to fight heart disease is to adopt a healthy diet, increase your level of physical activity, and get regular screenings to identify early signs of trouble.
The American Heart Association recommends reading nutrition labels as you make your daily food choices and basing your eating pattern on these recommendations:
• Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
• Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products.
• Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
• Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
• Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
• Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.
• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you’re a woman and two drinks per day if you’re a man.
• Keep an eye on your portion sizes.
New Research Confirms Value of Healthy Lifestyle
In 2011, several new large-scale studies were published in medical journals showing that a healthy diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Among them was a Swedish study of 31,035 heart-disease free women and 5,680 women with a history of heart disease. All the women were ages 49-83.
Researchers used a survey to assess the subjects’ total antioxidant capacity (TAC) based on their intake of antioxidant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, tea, and chocolate. Antioxidants neutralize the production of cell-damaging free radicals, which cause inflammation, and blood vessel damage and stiffening.
In women with no history of heart disease, the researchers found that those with the highest TAC had a 17 percent reduced risk of stroke compared to those with the lowest TAC.
In women with a history of heart disease, the results were even more dramatic: a 46-57 percent reduced risk of stroke in those with the highest TAC.
“Women with a high antioxidant intake may be more health conscious and have the sort of healthy behaviors that may have influenced our results,” lead researcher Susanne Rautiainen said in a statement. “However, the observed inverse association between dietary TAC and stroke persisted after adjustments for potential confounders related to healthy behavior such as smoking, physical activity and education.”
Another new study by Danish researchers examined the relationship between the intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and the development of cardiovascular disease in 49,000 women ages 15-49.
Over the eight-year study period, there were 577 cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes), including five deaths in women without any prior diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
Among the study’s key findings:
• Women who seldom or never eat fish may be increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease by 50 percent or more, according to the first population-based study among younger women.
• Those who ate fish most often, especially fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids, had 90 percent lower risk than those who ate little or no fish.
• The link with cardiovascular disease was evident, even among women in their 30s.
Previous studies of the relationship between the intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and the development of cardiovascular disease have focused mainly on men.
“To our knowledge this is the first study of this size to focus exclusively on women of childbearing age,” lead researcher Marin Strøm said in a statement. “The biggest challenge in getting health messages like this across to younger populations is that usually the benefits may not be evident for 30 or 40 years, but our study shows this is not the case. We saw a strong association with cardiovascular disease in the women who were still in their late 30’s.”
Another new study by University of South Carolina researchers suggests that you can reduce your risk of death from heart disease or any other cause by maintaining or improving your physical fitness level even if you don’t lose weight.
The researchers studied 14,345 adult men for 11 years. They found that:
• Maintaining or improving fitness was associated with a lower death risk even after controlling for Body Mass Index (BMI) change.
• Every unit of increased fitness (measured as MET, metabolic equivalent of task) over six years was associated with a 19 percent lower risk of heart disease and stroke-related deaths and a 15 percent lower risk of death from any cause.
• Becoming less fit was linked to higher death risk, regardless of BMI changes.
• BMI change was not associated with death risks.
“This is good news for people who are physically active but can’t seem to lose weight,” lead researcher Duck-chul Lee said in a statement. “You can worry less about your weight as long as you continue to maintain or increase your fitness levels.”
For more information about American Heart Month:
Zucchini-Sausage Casserole; Perfect Winter Weekend Meal
Another cold weekend this winter, oh yay!!! How about a yummy warm casserole to fill ya up and make you warm! This one is pure comfort food!
ingredients
• 1 pound bulk pork sausage
• 4 medium zucchini
• 1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 8 ounce carton sour cream
• 4 cups chicken-flavor stuffing mix
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish; set aside. In a 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until brown. Drain off fat. Return sausage to skillet.
2. Meanwhile, halve zucchini lengthwise; cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces. Add zucchini to sausage in skillet. In a small bowl, combine soup and sour cream; stir into sausage mixture. In a large bowl, combine stuffing mix and melted butter.
3. Spoon half of the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread sausage mixture over stuffing in dish. Spoon the remaining stuffing mixture evenly over sausage mixture. Bake, covered, about 30 minutes or until heated through. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
nutrition facts
Servings Per Recipe 8, Calories 487, Protein (gm) 14, Carbohydrate (gm) 28, Fat, total (gm) 34, Cholesterol (mg) 70, Saturated fat (gm) 16, Monosaturated fat (gm) 14, Polyunsaturated fat (gm) 4, Dietary Fiber, total (gm) 2, Sugar, total (gm) 5, Vitamin A (IU) 972, Vitamin C (mg) 8, Thiamin (mg) 0, Riboflavin (mg) 0, Niacin (mg) 3, Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) (mg) 0, Folate (µg) 40, Cobalamin (Vit. B12) (µg) 1, Sodium (mg) 1128, Potassium (mg) 497, Calcium (DV %) 91, Iron (DV %) 2, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Justice
Justice belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. This all-American black Lab is happy, relaxed, mellow, friendly, and very easygoing. Just imagine this loyal dog sitting next to your rocking chair on the porch while you sip lemonade! Justice is always smiling, like he knows the key to happiness and we think that he is ready to share his joy for life with everyone! Justice would like to be the only dog in the home, and would like to live with older children, as young ones can make him a bit uncomfortable. If he sounds like a good fit for you, just relax, chill out, and visit him here at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, and he just might teach you the benefits of taking things easy.
Mustang Hooks up the Kawaski Vaquero with it’s known comfort and style!
Finally Kawaski Vaquero owners can enjoy the comfort Mustang Motorcycle Seats offers along with it’s classic style. The deeply pocketed driver seat on the one-piece Wide Touring style with Driver Backrest is a full 16.5” wide and sits you at the ideal cruising angle. The 13” wide passenger seat utilizes Mustang’s unique internal steel support wings. The optional driver backrest provides superb back support for those longer rides and is fully adjustable and easily removable.
The Vintage style seat is sold as a three-piece set including solo, removable driver backrest and passenger seat with a backrest receiver for $739; the optional passenger backrest (shown) is $200. Also available with studs and conchos. Check them out online at mustangseats.com for more info.
Gypsie
According to her previous owner, Gypsie is friendly and playful, especially with string, towards everyone she meets. Here, at Animal Friends, Gypsie is a little scared and shy. Quietly and calmly, Gypsie spends most of her time laying in her Condo, waiting for a home in which she can relax and flourish into the loving and affectionate cat she wants to be. When alone with volunteers and staff, Gypsie is an attentive lap-sitter who likes to be petted and held. But in her condo, Gypsie can seem shy and timid. Gypsie is up-to-date on shots, micro-chipped, and spayed. If you can offer Gypsie the loving home she is waiting for, come to Animal Friends in Pittsburgh today to meet her!
Gloria
It’s official! David Uhl’s newest Woman of Harley, “Gloria” is now available for sale worldwide. The unveiling in Arizona this past Saturday was the highlight of a day-long event at the Hideaway in Cave Creek and they now have the original painting on display at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale (see photo).
“I would be extremely lucky to ever have the chance to encounter another subject like Gloria. I consider her a national treasure. I may be jaded by an enhanced passion for history but to actually get the chance to spend time with someone who remembers many of the people in my vintage paintings is a HUGE deal for me. For example she was friends with Gene Baron (the Baron’s Apprentice) and Babe Tancrede (Babe) and several others. I think the world of this classy lady, and hope everyone in the industry gets the opportunity to meet her. Plans right now are for Gloria to join us in Daytona for a special event in March.”
In this series, “Gloria” joins the ranks of “Ruby”, “Betty”, “Pearl”, “Rose”, “Ruth”, “Evelyn” and “Stella”. This classic, historic image celebrates the colorful past of Gloria Tramontin Struck, an amazing woman, 86 years young, who started riding at the age of 16 and joined the Motor Maids in 1946. She has logged over 500,000 miles through all 48 continental states in the U.S. and was inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in 2011. The two gentlemen in the background (Ben Campanelli and Ed Kretz, Jr) both raced in Daytona and were acquaintances of Gloria. The following links provide additional information on Gloria:
Contact Greg for sales info. 303-913-4840 at Uhl Studios
Robert Downey
This big sweet guy seeks a forever home where he will be given the most precious gift of all….a place where he can feel safe, secure and loved. Robert Downey was found as a very thin and hungry stray who was brought to us by the dog warden. In spite of his age, Robert is playful with people and toys. He is friendly and full of love; when given the chance he will lean into you looking to give and receive affection. Robert enjoys being taken on long walks and is learning leash manners. He is uncomfortable with certain handling and wants you to know that he doesn’t like his paws or tail touched. Due to his age and some vision impairment it is recommended that Robert be adopted into an adult home. Are you looking for an affectionate companion like Robert? If so, stop by Animal Friends in Pittsburgh and meet him soon.
This big sweet guy seeks a forever home where he will be given the most precious gift of all….a place where he can feel safe, secure and loved. Robert Downey was found as a very thin and hungry stray who was brought to us by the dog warden. In spite of his age, Robert is playful with people and toys. He is friendly and full of love; when given the chance he will lean into you looking to give and receive affection. Robert enjoys being taken on long walks and is learning leash manners. He is uncomfortable with certain handling and wants you to know that he doesn’t like his paws or tail touched. Due to his age and some vision impairment it is recommended that Robert be adopted into an adult home. Are you looking for an affectionate companion like Robert? If so, stop by Animal Friends in Pittsburgh and meet him soon.
Four Legendary Custom Bike Builders to Build Tribute Bikes for Rolling Thunder’s 25th Anniversary
With the 25th anniversary of Rolling thunder coming up in 2012, this is a great way to kick it off!
Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C., an annual motorcycle Demonstration Run that attracts over 450,000 motorcycles and one million attendees. To commemorate this honorary event, four custom motorcycles will be built by four legendary bike builders.
“The commemorative bike build is such a great idea and it’s one of the better things we’ve ever done. It’s the builders giving back to veterans and troops and all branches of the service with this project. We’re very grateful to the sponsors and everyone involved for their generous support and recognition of Rolling Thunder’s efforts,” said Ted Shpak, President of Rolling Thunder.
Jay Allen, creator of the legendary Broken Spoke Saloon, is facilitating the tribute build project.
Rolling Thunder is reaching out to some of the world’s top bike builders to complete the military recognition to include all branches of the service.
“This history-making tribute bike build is coming together so beautifully. S&S Cycle and Baker Drivetrain are the definition of American made pride and they’ve stepped up to the plate bringing their high quality products to this entire project,” said Allen.
The bikes will be unveiled at the 25th Anniversary event on May 26th and the entire build process will be featured in leading motorcycle publications. U. S. Marine Corps: Brigitte Bourget of Bourget’s Bike Works feature with Iron Works magazine; U.S. Navy: Dar Holdsworth of Darwin Motorcycles feature with Cycle Source; U.S. Coast Guard: Kiwi Mike of Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company feature with American Iron; U.S. Air Force: Billy Lane of Chopper’s Inc. feature with The Horse Backstreet Choppers. The build project is destined to be epic as these road-worthy bikes will then be toured around the country with the traveling “Wall that Heals,” at various military installations and events, Veteran Affairs locations, major motorcycle rallies, and potentially taken overseas to the
troops. An impressive publicity campaign and production surrounding the Rolling Thunder 25thAnniversary observance is currently underway. Further production details to be announced.
“We’re so excited and honored to be a part of this monumental, historic event and to be selected because our bikes are no-compromise, American made motorcycles,” said Dar Holdsworth, who hails from a military family having served in Desert Storm, his father in
Vietnam and his grandfather in WWII. “We truly understand that we could not do what we do without the sacrifice of the men and women of our Armed Forces. Each and every soldier has my deepest gratitude and respect.”
Rolling Thunder’s Demonstration Run has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the
Prisoner of War, Missing in Action (POW/MIA) issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for Service Members and Veterans from all wars. visit rollingthunderrun.com
Are you a Drag Strip Girl?
Butchy
If you are looking for a laid-back dog who is past all that puppy stuff, then Butchy is the perfect guy for you. Butchy is a very gentle, mature dog who likes to be around his family. He does well with other dogs but doesn’t like to be bothered by them. He will tolerate a younger, more active dog but we think Butchy would prefer to be the only dog or be in a home with older, calmer dogs like himself. Butchy doesn’t like to hugged or squeezed tightly, but gentle pets are perfect! Butchy is a perfect candidate for why older dogs make great pets. If you think Butchy would fit right in to your family, please give one of our Adoption Counselors a call today at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh and come in to meet him. He’s waiting!