Staying Active During Winter Winter sports to keep you active while having fun
The Doctor Is In
Find out ways to fight heart disease
2015 Detroit Go Red for Women Luncheon
Living Well Through Awareness By Cathy Nedd Chief Operating Officer Michigan Chronicle
Welcome to Living Well. Recognized as the single most credible source of fitness, health and nutrition information for African Americans, each edition is crafted to provide insight into health disparities impacting African Americans and methods on prevention and treatment. There is a growing need for health awareness in our community. The mission of Living Well is to provide our readers with a wealth of information that enables them to live healthier and happier lives. In these pages you’ll find content on health issues, healthy lifestyles and relatable personal stories from people in our community. Heart disease is the number one killer for all Americans, but the risk is even higher for African Americans. It is important to know the facts and ways to reduce the risks of a heart attack. Living Well consulted with two cardiovascular physicians whom gave expert advice on ways to help prevent heart disease. This month’s Living Well focuses on keeping a healthy heart and staying active during winter. Winter sports are a great way to include physical activity in our every day lives and have fun in the process. Inside you will find family friendly activities to stay busy all winter including a feature on the Jim Dandy Ski Club, the oldest African American ski club in the world, of which I am a member. Living Well isn’t just words on a page, it’s a lifestyle and the Michigan Chronicle takes pride in helping lead the way. Be healthy and live well.
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Table of Contents
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| A Healthy Heart | Staying Healthy During Winter Months | Go Red For Women | Winter Sports For The Family
Publisher | Hiram E. Jackson Managing Editor | Tatiana Jackson Graphic Designer | Juan Sifuentes
A Healthy Heart
Living Well spoke with Dr. Scott Henry, to find out the best ways to maintain a healthy heart.
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ccording to The National Institutes of Health, “Hypertension in African Americans has earlier onset and greater prevalence, is harder to control, and is associated with far more end-organ damage.” African Americans are 50 percent more likely to encounter fatal complications than whites. The difference is primarily due to hypertension, with African Americans having five times as many potentially preventable hospitalizations for hypertension compared to whites. Scott Henry, M.D., PhD, joined the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) as the director of cardiovascular surgery care uniformity. In this role, he works to ensure the clinical outcomes and quality metrics of the DMC CVI cardiovascular surgery services not Scott Henry, M.D., PhD, Detroit Medical Center only meet, but exceed, the standards set forth by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). There is a great difference in the African American community in comparison to other ethnic groups when it comes to heart disease. African Americans are more prone to heart disease. One, they are more prone to the risk factors. Risk Factors include: • Smoking • Diabetes • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Genetics African Americans are also more prone to hypertension and diabetes than any other group,” states Dr. Henry. Heart disease has been labeled “the silent killer,” but there are signs that may appear, including:
shoulder and even into the neck. • Nausea • Vomiting • Headache • Sweating Diabetics should be especially careful. Sometime there are no signs or symptoms associated with a heart attack. Symptoms may be as subtle as shortness of breath, sweating and lightheadedness. Here are some simple ways to jump-start your life with a healthier heart: 1. Stop Smoking — Smoking increases blood pressure and causes inflammation, ultimately causing “plaguing” 2. Healthy Diet – Low on carbohydrates (carbs), high in protein and fiber. 3. Consistent Exercise – A program of at least 30 minutes per day, three days a week.
The heart is not only affected by risk factors, diet and exercise. High levels of stress also play a major role in heart disease. “Stress releases certain hormones that increase the heart rate, stimulating inflammation, causing plague which clogs the vessel,” explains Dr. Henry. “Hormones released by stress also tighten the vessels. The inflamed and tightened vessels contribute to developing heart disease.” For more information or to make an appointment with a doctor at DMC Heart Hospital, please visit www.dmc.org/ heart.
• Pain in the middle of the chest, either a dull ache or pressure, as if an elephant is sitting on your chest. • Pain radiating from the left arm to the left LivingWELL • January 2015 3
Staying healthy during winter months W
e are deep into winter, and we still need to remain physically active to stay healthy. Living Well spoke to Alfred Cureau, president of the Jim Dandy Ski Club, for more on how his organization continues to keep those in our community involved in winter activities. The Jim Dandy Ski Club is the first black ski club in the United States. During the winter months they offer snowboarding, snowmobiling, downhill skiing and racing and much more. LIVING WELL: How important do you think it is for people to find ways to stay active during winter? ALFRED CUREAU: Staying active in the winter is very important. Traveling to ski resorts offers a special type of getaway from our busy everyday lives. Coming from an urban setting, the serenity, availability and variety of outdoor activity and nightlife are unique and much appreciated. Getting away with a group of friends only makes it better. Families always enjoy the children’s activities (lessons, daycare, etc.) so they can join their kids or feel carefree while they ski with adults. Vacationing in the mountains is almost impossible to describe to those who haven’t been there, but unforgettable to those who have. LW: What services do you provide during the winter months? AC: Ski trips, ski trips and ski trips! This year we will be traveling to Blue Mountain (outside of Toronto), Boyne Highlands, Schuss Mountain and Mt. Brighton in Michigan as well as Winter Park Resort and Aspen/Snowmass in Colorado. Our passion for winter sports has allowed us to literally travel all over the world. Over the years we have traveled to Alaska, New Zealand, Chile, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. Each year we plan a schedule to match the interests and abilities of our members, experts to “never-evers,” adults and youth. LW: Jim Dandy Ski Club is more that just a ski club. What can members expect if they were to join today as a beginner?
AC: Jim Dandy Ski Club (JDSC) accepts members year-round. We have close to 200 members. We do several outdoor activities, from skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, biking, camping, houseboat trips, white water rafting, kayaking, softball and other outdoor activities. We sponsor a Ski Better Program each year to teach the basics of skiing so that beginners know how to put on their skis, understand how to get on and off the lift, and are familiar with the basic rules of skiing etiquette
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before being thrust into the crowd at the top the mountain.
LW: What some upcoming events for people who are interested in winter sports? AC: http://www.jimdandyskiclub.com/upcoming-events/ features a list of our upcoming events. We have our annual “Blackout” ski event at Mt. Brighton on Saturday Feb 7. We had close to 200 people from the local area for a day of skiing, lessons, picnic on the hill, races and a happy hour. LW: How does JDM promote moral to help make staying active fun? AC: As a charter member of the National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS), we especially appreciate getting together each year with our other clubs around the country at the Summit, our annual gathering and convention. There’s nothing that compares with bringing 200-plus Detroiters to join 3000 other African American skiers/boarders from around the world. LW: How can those interested acquire more information? AC: Our meetings are held at the North Rosedale Community House, located at 18445 Scarsdale in Detroit on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. from September to May. You can also find us online at www.jimdandyskiclub.com. If you have not already, you should join our Facebook pages: “Friends of Jim Dandy Ski Club” and “Jim Dandy Ski Club.” If you are not into skiing or boarding, but enjoy active sports in the company of friendly people, our club has an activity suited to your tastes and is always looking for new ideas. You don‘t have to be an expert skier to enjoy Jim Dandy Ski Club. Members range in prowess from expert to beginners, first-timers who would rather be in the lodge sitting by the fire.
LivingWELL • January 2015 5
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n Friday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m., the American Heart Association 2015 Detroit Go Red for Women Luncheon will take place at 400 Renaissance Drive West in Detroit. The event is a celebration of the power of women, bringing awareness to the issue of heart disease, creating a passionate call-to-action and generating funds to support education and research. Each year the event hosts over 600 of Southeast Michigan’s most prominent female leaders from corporate, medical, educational and social communities to raise funds for education and meritorious research specific to women and heart disease. We spoke with Dr. Patricia Uddydac to ask some important questions about women and heart disease. LIVING WELL: Why is heart disease among women called “the silent killer”? DR. PATRICIA UDDYDAC: Heart attacks doesn’t always present itself the same as it does in men. Women who are having a heart attack may experience atypical symptoms such as jaw pain, shoulder pain, fatigue and slight sweating (women going through menopause may ignore this symptom due to hot flashes). LW: Why is it so important to raise awareness of heart disease for women? PU: A woman is never too young to be checked. Raising awareness for heart disease for women encourages women to be their own advocate in demanding heart health. Cholesterol levels should be checked starting at age 18. Another factor to consider is vitamin D levels, which have been linked to heart disease. Michigan-
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ders do not come in contact with a lot of sun, so it is easy to have low levels of vitamin D. LW: How has Go Red for Women impacted the lives of women? PU: Go Red for Women has increased awareness about what women need to look for is empowering. Time is muscle, the more time a woman waits to get her heart checked, she could be losing heart muscle that she can never get back. For more information on the 2015 Detroit Go Red for Women Luncheon or ways you can contribute, please call the American Heart Association at (800) 242-8721.
Winter Sports for the Family
The Rink at Campus Martius Park Join the Detroit Curling Club
Join the Detroit Skating Club
The Detroit Curling Club welcomes men and women above the age of 12 to become members.
The Detroit Skating Club classes are designed to keep skaters enthusiastic about learning the fundamentals of figure skating from the time they begin lessons until the time they reach their goals. The club offers a fun and safe skating experience for the beginner as well as the more advanced skater, teaching correct technique of the basic elements of skating while developing coordination and balance.
They offer a range of membership categories and affordable dues. At least one family member must hold a Class A membership, unless the joining member is younger than age 29. New curlers are eligible for discounted introductory dues and Ferndale residents receive a 15 percent discount. If you have a year or more curling experience, you may join the club and begin curling in leagues immediately. If you have no experience curling, you will need to attend one of the Community Education classes before joining. For additional membership information, email: membership@detroitcurlingclub.com. For class information and registration, email: instruction@detroitcurlingclub.com.
The cost is $15 per class, which will include 10 minutes of stroking and warm-up, 25 minutes of instructed class time and 25 minutes of supervised free time (which may consist of games, bubbles, mazes, etc.) and a badge once the skater has completed the level. The club will include occasional 3-minute exhibitions of DSC skaters higher than the Learn to Skate level to expose skaters to the various disciplines of skating. For additional membership information, email rlee@dscclub.com. For additional information and registration call (248) 335-8790.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park is fun for the entire family. Admission Prices: Adults (13-49 years) $8 Child (12 & under) $7 Seniors (50 and older) $7 Skate Rental $3 Shoe Check $2 Skate Sharpening $5 Monthly Skate Pass $30 Group Rates: Must have reservations at least one week in advance in order to qualify for the rate discount. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is necessary one week prior to group date. Deposit may be applied toward costs upon arrival. For more information please call 313-963-9393. Broomball League Through Feb. 24, Tuesdays, 6 to 10 p.m. Broomball: Mondays and Tuesdays, 6 to 10 pm Registration at http://leagues.comeplaydetroit. com/leagues/broomball LivingWELL • Janaury 2015 7
Don’t miss out! Feb. 15 is the deadline to sign up for health insurance for 2015
Need Help Enrolling in Health Insurance?
Don’t miss out! Feb. 15 is the deadline to sign up for health insurance for 2015
Find out if you qualify for a low or no premium health insurance plan
Need Help Enrolling in Health Insurance? The deadline to sign up for health insurance is quickly approaching.
STOP BY THE SIGN-UP SATURDAY BOOTHS AT:
Find out if you qualify for a low or no premium •health insurance plan Twelve Oaks Mall Join us Saturday, January 24 from 10 am- 2 pm for
Sign-Up Saturday, a local event sponsored The deadline to sign up forenrollment health insurance is by Humana. quickly approaching. You will get free help from24 licensed agents findfor out if Join us Saturday, January from 10 am- 2topm you qualify for helpato payenrollment for health insurance and to Sign-Up Saturday, local event sponsored help you sign up. by Humana.
You will get free help from licensed agents to find out if you qualify for help to pay for health insurance and to
For information, visit HumanaHelpsDetroit.com helpmore you sign up.
For more information, visit HumanaHelpsDetroit.com
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(A few steps down from Sears, STOP BY THE SIGN-UP SATURDAY across from Charlotte Russe) BOOTHS AT: • Great Lakes Crossing Outlets • Twelve Oaks Mall (Close to Finish Line, directly (A few steps down from Sears, across from GameStop) across from Charlotte Russe)
• Great Lakes Crossing Outlets (Close to Finish Line, directly across from GameStop)