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Heart Screen
for Teens
When:
Saturday, Feb. 21
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:
PeaceHealth Medical
Group–Lakefront
1718 E Kessler Blvd., Longview, WA
Cost:
Suggested $25 donation to
Spencer’s HeartStrong Foundation
Info:
Every year, thousands
of American teens die from
undetected heart conditions,
including sudden cardiac arrest
(SCA). Bring your teenager to
the PeaceHealth/Spencer’s
HeartStrong Foundation Heart
Screen for Teens ages 13 to
18. Your teen will receive an
EKG, blood pressure check,
risk factor assessment, and
more. Sign up online at
www.stopyouthsca.org.
Don’t wonder whether your
teen’s heart is healthy. Find out!
WE A L L HAVE HEARD
how physical activity reduces the
risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other
diseases. Plus, it helps with stress management and overall
quality of life. The question that arises is, “How do I keep
myself on track with an active lifestyle?”
There are several ways to keep yourself motivated.
Set goals.
Identify what you hope to accomplish and
what steps you intend to take to reach your goals. Your
behavioral goals should support your outcome goals to
make the long-term goals possible. Make sure your goals
are realistic. If they are not, you are setting yourself up for
failure. Keep your goals on paper, and place them where
you can see them on a regular basis.
Train with a partner.
This partner can be two-legged
or four-legged. The accountability this partner provides is
key in helping you stay motivated with a program.
Reward yourself.
Reaching your goal is always a
reward, but a lot of us need other rewards as well. One
example is to put a quarter in a mug after each workout.
This can be set up as a competition with friends and
family. You can use the money toward new clothes,
dinner, etc.
Seek inspiration.
Many of us get bored with just
walking or running. If this is true for you, try to add music
to your workout. Also, each day try to find inspiration
from a quote, a speaker, or a book.
Make it fun.
It is important to find an activity that is
enjoyable. Remember: What one person enjoys may be
totally different from what another person enjoys. Many
adventures are out there, and each one may lead to a life-
changing experience.
Find out what works for you—whether it’s one thing or a
combination. Keep in mind that the hardest part is getting
started—but once you start your activity, the fun begins.
How to stay motivated
to keep yourself active
Getting a leg up
on varicose veins
George Fortner, MD
Vascular Surgery
PeaceHealth Medical Group–
Surgery
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-501-3500
Save the date!
Heart and
Stroke Walk
When:
Saturday, May 9
Time:
Festivities start at 8:30 a.m.;
walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Where:
Lake Sacajawea, Longview
Info:
Join PeaceHealth and the
American Heart Association/
American Stroke Association for a
5K (3.1-mile) walk to inspire healthy
behaviors and raise funds to help
fight heart disease and stroke. To
learn more, call
503-820-5300
or
pdxinfo@heart.org
.
DO YOU HAVE
varicose veins? You’re not alone—
varicose veins are common, especially for women.
Many factors can raise your risk for varicose veins.
Examples include family history, age, gender, pregnancy,
overweight or obesity, lack of movement, and leg trauma.
Varicose veins may be treated with lifestyle changes
or medical procedures to relieve symptoms, prevent
complications, and improve appearance.
Sometimes varicose veins cause pain, blood clots, skin
ulcers, or other problems. If this happens, your provider may
recommend one or more medical procedures. Some people
decide to have these procedures to improve the way their
veins look. The good news is that there are many treatments
for varicose veins that are quick and easy, such as:
■
Sclerotherapy.
This minimally invasive treatment
involves injecting a solution called sodium tetradecyl sulfate
directly into the visible vein. The solution irritates the lining
of the vein, causing the vein to adhere to itself and the blood
to clot. The vein then shrinks and dissolves over a fewweeks.
■
Laser.
This minimally invasive treatment involves using
pulses of laser light at just the right wavelength to constrict
the vein, causing it to degenerate and be less visible. The
laser passes through the layers of the skin, affecting only the
blood vessels. Results are quick, and recovery time is brief.
Talk to your health care provider about your treatment
options.
www.peacehealth.org3