Cardiovascular Disease

An estimated 515,000 women will have a new or recurrent myocardial infarction and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVDs) this year (2010). In 2006, 432,709 females died from all CVDs combined. The statistic represents 52.1% of female’s deaths for that year (35.3% white females; 35.9% black females). Notably, 64% of women who died suddenly from CVD did not have previous symptoms. [1]
CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessel. The most common reason for heart attacks and strokes, which are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain, is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain. [2]

Top Health Risks for Women

Heart disease ranks as the number one health risk for women.
1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Stroke
4. COPD
5. Alzheimer’s disease
6. Injuries
7. Type 2 diabetes
8. Flu
9. Kidney disease
10. Blood poisoning

Symptoms in Women

The most common heart attack symptom for women is pain or discomfort in the chest. However, women can also have a heart attack without having any chest pain. Other symptoms women might experience include[3]:
• Feeling out of breath
• Pain that runs along the neck, jaw, or upper back
• Nausea, vomiting or indigestion
• Unexplained sweating
• Sudden or overwhelming fatigue
• Dizziness
Risk Factors

The prevention of CVD starts with controlling risk factors for the disease. Although some risk factors are uncontrollable, such as family history of CVD or stroke; age 55 or older and being post-menopausal or having your ovaries removed, there are risk factors that we can control.
Controllable risk factors:
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Hypertension
• High total cholesterol, and/or reduced HDL cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Increased C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Use of birth control pills, especially if also a smoker
• Complicated pregnancy (hypertension, diabetes, low birth weight)

Preventing Cardiovascular Heart Disease

There are many strategies that allow you to reduce your risk of or prevent heart disease. Although some risk factors, such as family history and age cannot be controlled, you have many options to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Here are some things you can control:
• Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products
o This is especially important for women because smoking not only affects your heart but negatively impacts your ability to become pregnant, increases your risk for oral and lung cancer and ages your skin. In addition, women who smoke and use birth control increase their risk of a heart attack.
• Get exercise
o Physical activity helps you control your weight and reduces stress on the heart and other medical conditions.
• Eat a heart healthy diet
o A well-balanced diet consisting of healthy fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated), fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limiting alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a healthy weight
o The majority of adults gain fat-not muscle-when the scale starts to creep up. Studies show that carrying excess fat in the mid-section is a risk factor for heart disease as well as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet will help you keep the scale in check.
• Get regular health screenings
o High blood pressure and cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels; regular screenings by a health professional will keep you informed and ready to take action to keep your heart healthy

Clinical Pearls

In summary, maintaining a healthy heart results in a better quality of life. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your better health:
• Be aware of chest pain and other symptoms
• Know your family’s medical history and tell your clinician
• Maintain a healthy weight with regular diet and exercise
• Eliminate and/or reduce negative impact of risk factors, for example don’t smoke or quit smoking; control your blood pressure
• Remain educated about your body and health needs- start with the resources below!

Educational Resources
American Heart Association

http://www.americanheart.org

Women’s Heart Foundation

http://www.womensheartfoundation.org/

National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

http://www.womenheart.org

Heart Truth

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

References

1. American Heart Organization. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1260905040318FS10WM10.pdf. Accessed June 18, 2010.
2. World Health Organization. Cardiovascular Diseases. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html. Accessed June 18, 2010.
3. FamilyDoctor.org. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/heartdisease/risk/287.printerview.html. Accessed June 18, 2010.
4. May Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00014/NSECTIONGROUP=2. Accessed June 18, 2010.

Once again Thank You and we’re glad you enjoy our facilities!  Please try one of our new classes.

Tony Cudjo was well groomed as a presenter for the FEW program under the tutelage of Danny Russo who has earned certification as a master trainer, an aerobic trainer, a strength coach, and an NFL strength coach. Danny holds a degree in nutrition, and has worked as a fitness consultant for various fitness TV and multimedia presentations. He has been featured in national magazines and has developed fitness and weight management programs for hospitals, colleges, and health clubs in over 1000 cities nationwide (www.womensfitnesstour.com).
 
Tony, whose motto is, “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom, one helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” shared with us many key concepts and principles of nutrition, one of which is the importance of balancing PH levels in our bodies by the intake of certain food groups. By the end of the program we would understand that by maintaining proper PH levels, it aids our bodies in the utilization and synthesizing of healthy fats while decreasing water retention and enhancing digestion!

Attending the evening seminar preparing to hear a routine talk on health, nutrition and exercise.   Surprisingly enraptured when the empowered motivational speaker began the talk by reminding us passionately that as women, we have a natural tendency to spend most of our time taking care of everyone else while placing the needs of others above our own.  He encouraged us to place ourselves in a position of importance and priority by teaching us the uniqueness of our nutritional needs and requirements!
 
Tony continued to motivate us with the scripture that reminds us that, “Faith without work is dead!” Simply put, just believing in a dream wasn’t enough.  We have to learn how to put our beliefs into action and take steps towards doing something about it!  So yourself, “How many times have you desired to accomplish something really important or tried to reach a dream or goal, but avoided the work necessary to obtain it?” The answer for many in that room was, “many times”.
 
Tony convinced me and all willing and listening ears that now was the time for “me”.  He, along with his FEW staff along with the support of Fultons Fitness, would be there to walk us through the process of changing how we felt about food, exercise and water intake and put that knowledge into action!

At the completion of the FEW seminar, as funny as it sounds, I felt reborn! I had found a renewed vigor to repent of my former way of living and make a lifestyle change for myself and for the sake of my loved ones. I walked away with beginning -knowledge, support and tools needed to make that lifestyle change.  Most comforting of all was the realization that I wasn’t alone in my journey towards becoming complete in physical, spiritual and mental well being!
 
Thank you Fultons Fitness and Tony Cudjo for being one of the FEW that care about the health of our women!

Fulton’s Fitness proudly presents the 2010 INBF Natural Connecticut Bodybuilding & Figure Championships. 

When:  Saturday June 19, 2010
Where:  James Hillhouse High School, 480 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, CT
Tickets:  $20.00 Prejudging, $30.00 Evening Show, $45.00 Package Tickets
Time:  Check In - 9am, Prejudging – 12pm, Evening Showtime – 5pm

Host Hotel: Court Yard at Yale (203) 777-6221 rooms under Fultons Fitness ..Thank you all

POSING CLASSES: $10.00 per class, Learn from Robert J. Fulton Hands on for any show, every Tuesday & Thursday night from 8:30pm till 9:45pm. Learn the way to WIN

Application:  Click here to download

If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the reasons may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems.

According to the Connecticut Department of Health, more than 163,000 adults age 18 years and older have been diagnosed with Diabetes. There are over 70,000 Connecticut adults who are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes.

A lifestyle that includes an fitness program is essential in the fight against diabetes. If you’re not active, it’s likely that you have at least one reason why. Whatever the reason, Fultons Fitness can help you break down those barriers! We have created an environment for change for those fighting with diabetes. This includes a comprehensive plan that supports one established by your physician. Your customized fitness program will not only reduce your weight but improve your blood sugar levels and your risk for complications associated with diabetes.

Exerscrip:  A Diabetes Friendly Program

Exerscrip is a special program dedicated to supporting physician recommended exercise for people with diabetes. The Exerscrip program is designed to help people with diabetes exercise safely and effectively.  For many people with diabetes, better blood glucose management, lower HbA1c levels, weight loss and related symptoms such as high blood pressure and obesity can be addressed and sometimes even reversed through the Exerscrip program.   

If you would like to find out more information about the Exerscrip program and the related services available at FultonsFitness, please provide your contact information in the CONTACT US portion of this website, and an Exerscrip fitness expert will be in touch with your shortly!