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Berwick Area Heart Support Group october 2007 newsletter
Next meeting October 3rd at the Day Hospital, Berwick Infirmary from 7.00pm – 9.00pm Guest speaker: Steven Young Development Officer forNorthumberland FISHNETS
FISHNETS stands for (Fitness, Involvement, Safety and Health Networks) which supports and promotes a healthy active life for older people. It is one of nineteen projects in England to have a share of the £60 million Partnerships for Older People (POPP)funding announced by the Department of Health in 2005.
Northumberland FISHNETS is building on the success of several local schemes including
handyperson services for small jobs around the house,
training and accreditation for staff and agencies,
and also fitness schemes in centres across the community
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Our speaker for September’s meeting was Dave Stephens Network and Communications Manager for ‘Warm Zone’, based in Blyth, but responsible for creating warmer homes throughout Northumberland. Dave did say that all his fancy title meant was that he was the ‘dog’s body’ that got out to meet the people. He has been in his current job for five years having been made redundant. Warm Zone is supported by NPower as it has been since day one.
Northumberland is one of 5 areas in England taking part in a pilot scheme to create warmer homes. It involves Warm Zone representatives surveying an area, seeing what its needs are and then advising the best course of action. In practice a team visit an area, post literature through our letterboxes, return some days later after we have read it all and offer advise or professional advise survey, in creating a warm, comfortable and ventilated home, and dependant on what benefits the householder is on depends on the cost.
Dave’s talk was based on a power point display, but on paper. Without having some of the points he raised explained as he did, it could be unwise to quote some of them here so I will try to be very careful.
“People in Great Britain do not die from the cold, but they do die from the effects” and“More people die of the effects of cold in Britain than in Siberia”
Dave did try and explain these two statements.
40% of excess winter deaths are from Cardio Vascular Disease………A 1% drop in living room temperature increases blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
33% of excess winter deaths are from Respiratory illness…..
Coldness lowers resistance to respiratory infections and can trigger bronchial constriction in asthma.
Cold homes make arthritis worse………Strength and dexterity suffer in cold damp homes increasing the risk of accidental injuries.
Damp cold homes increase the risk of mental health problems……….People can become socially isolated. It also affects children who suffer from not having a warm, quite area in which to do homework, which then fall behind at school.
A new expression “Fuel Poverty” kept being mentioned throughout the evening. This is not as straight forward as it may seem, it means that if you spend 10% or more of your income on heating your home you fall within this expression, for one or more of the following reasons.
Poor housing, Education, Health, or Debt.
Low house income, failure to access benefits entitlements.
Solid walls that cannot be insulated economically
Vulnerable households, including elderly residents, single parents, disabled, housebound, poor health or young children.
I’ve left this to last because it can affect us all and is probably the easiest to rectify.
Lack of basic energy efficiency measures, poor heating, poor insulation and poor ventilation.
Statistics tell us that heat loss from our houses without effective insulation is calculated as follows.
Roof – 25%
Doors and windows – 15%
Walls – 35%
Floor – 15%
Other places -10%
So what can we do? Some things are easy, and just need a change of habit whilst others need a bit of planning.
Cavity wall insulation can save 60% heat loss and can save you over £100 a year.
270mm (In old money that’s ten and a half inches) can cut bills by 20%
That’s the ones that require planning, but you can ring Warm Zone at 01670 356642, or contact them on the computer at www.warmzones.co.uk/zones/northumberland, or if you contact Terry at his contact address listed later in this newsletter, he may be able to help as there were some spare handouts left with all manner of leaflets and advice.
Here are some simple facts that may just make you think and get you to change some habits,
Leaving a light on in a room overnight uses enough energy to heat water for more than 1000 cups of tea.
Switching off TVs etc. at the wall can save £50 per year.
The UK wastes approx. £5 billion worth of domestic energy a year, and we waste £230 million by leaving appliances on standby.
Keep heating controls with moderate limits. 20 degs. Is a comfortable heat.
A 1 deg. Reduction can save 10% of your heating bill.
Unfortunately lowering it by 10 degs. Doesn’t save 100%, you have to remember to keep the temperature comfortable for you and the members of your house.
Close curtains at dusk, it will stop heat escaping through the glass.
Switch to low energy light bulbs.
Warm Zone do have the facilities not only to tell you which benefits you need to be receiving to qualify for some of these measures to be fitted free, but which benefits you qualify for.
Thank you Dave for you time.
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Autumn weather is made for physical activity
Walking, running, biking, swimming are all fair game. They're excellent forms of aerobic exercise, which means they give the heart a good workout. Even when life is ultra-hectic, it's important to plan for exercise.
Exercise helps control blood pressure, and it helps your heart function optimally when you're under mental stress,. Additional benefits of regular aerobic exercise are: weight loss, improved cardiovascular fitness, lowered heart rate, healthier blood vessels, and a better-pumping heart.
During exercise, the brain produces endorphins — natural chemicals similar to morphine that cause a feeling of happiness. For maximum endorphin benefit, get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.
Yoga and tai chi also help with relaxation. While they won't produce a significant endorphin release, these timeless practices increase strength, flexibility, and balance control. Because they involve deep breathing and calming exercises, they also help in releasing stress.
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Seasonal Superfoods
Apples:
Apples have long been thought to be a healthy food, indeed many of us grew up hearing that they kept the doctor away! It is now known that apples contain the phytonutrient quercitin, which prevents the oxidation (damage) of LDL cholesterol thus lowering the risk of damage to our arteries and in turn, the risk of heart disease. They also contain pectin, a soluble fibre that seems to be very effective in lowering levels of blood cholesterol. Pectin also binds to heavy metals in our body, such as lead, and removes them from the gut
Beetroot:
Beets are not only low calorie but also packed full of nutrients. They contain high levels of carotenoids and flavenoids; anti-oxidants that help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, protecting our artery walls and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is one of the richest sources of folic acid, which helps to protect unborn babies from spina bifida, and is also thought to help lower homocysteine levels in the blood. Beetroot also contains the mineral silica, which helps the body to utilise calcium, so is therefore important for musculo-skeletal health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Many people juice beetroot for its cleansing and detoxifying properties.
Garlic :
Numerous clinical trials have shown garlic to be an excellent cancer fighter – studies suggest that it has the ability to prevent development of cancers of the breast, colon, skin, prostate, stomach and oesophagus. Garlic also helps stimulate the immune system by encouraging the growth of natural killer cells, which directly attack cancer cells. It also has the ability to kill the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a major cause of ulcers and stomach cancer.
A recent study at the University of East London claims that garlic has the ability to not only kill many of the antibiotic resistant strains of MRSA, the “hospital super bug”, but is also able to destroy the newer super-super bugs that are resistant against the most powerful antibiotics used against MRSA.
Finally, a new study has shown that eating raw garlic after heart surgery may help to limit the damage done to the heart, due to its strong anti-oxidant properties.
Ginger :
This root has long been thought to have medicinal properties and research is now confirming these suspicions. Ginger contains several antioxidant plant chemicals including gingerol and zingerone. In preliminary studies these antioxidants have been shown to fight cancer and heart disease. One study found that gingerol was as effective as aspirin at preventing blood clotting, making it a potential aid against heart disease (although it is not recommended for people who are already taking anti-coagulants). Ginger has effective antimicrobial effects on wounds and sores and is also thought to fight inflammation, cleanse the colon, and stimulate circulation
Oranges :
Oranges prove even ordinary foods can offer an array of disease fighting compounds. Hesperetin, the main flavonoid in oranges has been shown to help protect against cancer, heart disease, infections and inflammation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a report connecting a higher intake of hesperetin with lower rates of heart disease. Oranges are also a rich source of pectin, which lower cholesterol, potassium, which reduces blood pressure, and folic acid, which reduces levels of homocysteine, according to studies
Sweet Potatoes:
These luscious orange tubers boast a wealth of antioxidants; phytochemicals including beta-carotene; vitamins C and E; folate; calcium; copper; iron; and potassium. The fiber in sweet potatoes promotes a healthy digestive tract, and the antioxidants may play a role in preventing heart disease and cancer.
The natural sweetness of a roasted sweet potato is delicious without any additional fats or flavour enhancers
Wine :
 Whether you prefer red or white, drinking wine has been shown to be good for heart health in certain groups of people. White wine’s protection comes from tyrosol and caffeic acid, which reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Red wine’s polyphenols appear to confer its heart benefits. Several studies show that red wine in moderation lowers homocysteine, platelet stickiness and LDL “bad” cholesterol. But before you get too excited, moderation means one or two glasses a day (and not those great big glasses in your cupboard either!), and you should also have at least one alcohol-free day a week as it must be remembered that alcohol is a toxin.
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Wallys Yarn
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
Jim and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out.
When the Head Nursing Director became aware of Edna's heroic act, she immediately ordered Edna to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered Edna to be mentally stable.
When she went to tell Edna the news she said, 'Edna, I have good new and bad news .
The good news is you're being discharged. Since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of another patient I have concluded your act displays you have a sound mind.
The bad news is Jim, the patient you saved, hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he is dead.'
Edna replied,'He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?'
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