Thursday, December 29, 2005

Locals take H.E.A.R.T.,make lifestyle changes

GABRIELLE FIMBRES

Tucson Citizen

A decade ago, Tom Merriam got up from his desk at the Defense Department and pain gripped his chest.

He couldn't move.

"I thought, 'Boy, I'm in trouble,' " recalled Merriam, 62.

He was.

The pain was a precursor to a massive heart attack that would come later that night, as Merriam lay in an Ohio hospital.

"It destroyed approximately 20 percent of my heart," said the retired computer specialist who lives in Tucson. A second heart attack followed four years later, requiring quadruple bypass.

Merriam, who has aggressive arterial sclerosis, took control of his heart health this fall.

After stents were twice put in to improve blood flow to his heart, Merriam started cardiac rehabilitation at the Tucson Heart Hospital.

He also signed up for H.E.A.R.T., a 12-week program aimed at preventing, stopping or reversing heart disease.

"It saved my life."

Heart Education, Advocacy, Renewal and Training has taught Merriam how to improve his chances at living a long life through diet, exercise and stress management. The program gives participants an outlet for talking about their fears and successes over heart disease.

When the program started in September, Merriam could not walk without chest pain and his cholesterol was high. He recently hiked for three hours in the Tucson Mountains with no pain, and his cholesterol is less of a problem, he said.

"If it wasn't for the H.E.A.R.T. Series, I wouldn't be out hiking," Merriam said. "I'd probably be sitting in my La-Z-Boy."

Edna Silva, a registered nurse who with Tucson cardiologist Chuck Katzenberg has coordinated the H.E.A.R.T. Series for 12 years, said most participants have suffered heart attacks or other episodes.

Others, such as Marcella Brodowy, want to avoid heart disease.

"I'm doing what I need to be doing to take care of me," said the Raytheon Missile Systems engineer.

Through the series, the 54-year-old greatly improved her eating habits, began exercising more and reduced the stress in her life.

"I try to keep balance in my life," Brodowy said. "I walk away from my desk at noon and walk for 30 minutes. I have a much better attitude. I feel happier. I feel smarter. I've learned how to extend my life."

Brodowy and Merriam were part of a group that finished the series before Thanksgiving.

A new series starts Feb. 7. During classes, participants are given up-to-date information from experts on reducing heart disease.

At the final meeting last month, the class relaxed with yoga and tai chi, taught by Silva.

The students ate a heart healthful meal of halibut, steamed kale with olive oil, brown rice with black beans and cinnamon-laced blueberries and yogurt.

As they ate, they spoke of their progress with Silva and Katzenberg. The series is based on a program designed by California cardiologist Dean Ornish, who has found heart disease can be reversed through low-fat eating, exercise and stress control.

Said Merriam: "I was in bad shape at the beginning of the year. I remember asking my doctor for a handicap sticker for my car so I could walk to the grocery."

Merriam has altered his diet, banishing high-fat snack foods. He's almost completely vegetarian. And he exercises every day.

"I feel great," he said.

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