Blog

How to Stay Active in the Workplace

National Employee Health and Fitness Day is May 16. Celebrated the third Wednesday in May, National Employee Health and Fitness Day promotes the health benefits of staying active throughout the work day. Chad Stanton, exercise specialist from the Weight Loss & Wellness Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute, is sharing some ways you can be active and get your heart rate up during the work day.

Chad’s first round of tips focus on easier exercises. He recommends performing each exercise for 30 seconds, then resting for 30 seconds before moving on to the next set or exercise. Each... Read More »

The Importance of Good Nutrition for Diabetics

A healthy lifestyle is something we should all strive to maintain, especially those living with diabetes. Staying on track with a good diet and exercise regimen and keeping blood sugar levels regulated is vital for diabetics. As we continue to celebrate National Nutrition Month, we spoke with Chelsea Reed, Registered Dietitian with the Center for Diabetes Management and Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Hillcrest Medical Center and Oklahoma Heart Institute, who shared some insight into best nutrition practices for those with diabetes.

Making every patient aware that different... Read More »

A Life-Long Solution for Managing Weight

March is National Nutrition Month. Leading a nutritious lifestyle is a great way to take care of your body and make changes for the better. The Weight Loss & Wellness Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute offers a nationally recognized weight-loss program developed by Health Management Resources (HMR), the nation’s leading provider of weight-loss programs in the medical community. With both in-clinic and at-home weight loss programs, the Weight Loss & Wellness Center team works with individuals to figure out the best option for them based on their personal goals.

To celebrate... Read More »

Highlighting Cardiac Rehabilitation Week

February 11-17 is Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. This is a week where we recognize the contributions of the staff in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute. These staff members work with patients to help reduce the effects of heart disease. To learn more about the cardiac rehabilitation program, we spoke with Tom Guhr, health educator with the Weight Loss & Wellness Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute.

 “Cardiac rehabilitation is a monitored exercise program,” explained Guhr. “There are specific diagnoses that take place in order for a patient to be eligible... Read More »

Sleep and The Heart: How Are They Connected?

While living a healthy lifestyle is a major component in keeping a strong, healthy heart, it isn’t the only one. Did you know that a good night’s rest is just as beneficial to your heart health? People who don’t sleep enough are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, which is why professionals recommend eight hours of sleep at night.

The heart is directly impacted when you are not getting an adequate amount of sleep. Depending on your specific sleep issue, there are various preventive measures you can take to regulate your sleep schedule. In continuation of our American Heart... Read More »

Through Heart Troubles, Local Man is Grateful for Oklahoma Heart Institute

A few weeks ago, Franklin Wall was at work when he started experiencing chest pains. “I was on my way to a meeting and about half way down the hall, my chest started hurting,” explained Wall. “By the time I got to the meeting, I was still in pain. I sat down and was fidgeting around a little bit, trying to get comfortable, but I couldn’t. The meeting started and as it went on, I started feeling worse. I was sweating quite a bit, so I leaned over on the chair beside me and was slumping down when a guy sitting a couple of chairs over from me asked me if I was alright. I told him no and that... Read More »

Oklahoma Woman Finds New Purpose in the Midst of Cardiac Issues

Janet Emde spent most of her adult life working in the corporate world. During her career, she traveled the world seeing great things, but doing work that never truly fulfilled her. On the last trip with her former employer, she was sent to India. While she was there, Emde caught a glimpse of the native women dancing in their saris and was inspired to take a chance on something she had never done. “It was like a wave of something came over me,” explained Emde. “All of the sudden, I knew I didn’t want to work at my job anymore. I wanted to go back to my hometown, Fairfax, Oklahoma, start... Read More »

Oklahoma Father Shows Gratitude for Care Given at Oklahoma Heart Institute

A few months ago, Bill Trentham, a farmer in rural Oklahoma, experienced shortness of breath and immediately knew something wasn’t right. “During the first week of October, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, so I called and got an appointment with Oklahoma Heart Institute cardiologist, Dr. Alan Kaneshige,” said Trentham. “He explained that I had congestive heart failure and immediately referred me to the emergency room. He was kind enough to call ahead for me so I wouldn’t have to wait. I was given a room very quickly and had several folks start working on me. I was in the hospital for seven... Read More »

How to Stay Heart-Healthy this Holiday Season

The holidays are a time of celebration, but for some, it can be very stressful. In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to neglect our own self-care. For those with heart problems, it is an especially sensitive time of year. Research shows that deaths from heart attacks peak during December and January. Possible causes include changes in diet, increased alcohol consumption, cold weather, traveling and family matters.

Don’t let stress get the best of you this holiday season. Keep the following things in mind to stay happy and heart-healthy.

Make a Plan Manage... Read More »

Battling the Numbers: New Blood Pressure Guidelines

For the first time in 14 years, a new set of blood pressure guidelines have been released by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Previously, high blood pressure was defined with a reading of 140/90 or higher. Now, individuals with readings of 130 over 80 are considered to have high blood pressure, putting approximately 46% of adults in the United States in the category of hypertension.

Sounds like a lot of people, right? It is. But even with these overwhelming statistics, the hope is to reduce blood pressure levels nationwide using the new... Read More »