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Lifestyle Habits: They Really Matter Snuff It Out "Smoking does so many bad things, we haven't even discovered all of the bad things that it does yet," Kramer says. When it comes to heart disease, smoking mainly destroys the lining of the vessels and causes them to harden. "Anyone with risk factors for heart disease can't smoke, or their life will be significantly shortened." Kramer has his patients use nicotine replacements until they can wean themselves off of those. "Nicotine's not harmless, but it's only one bad factor out of many in cigarettes." Pop These Pills Cholesterol medications called statins not only reduce your cholesterol and improve your lipid profile; they improve survivability, Kramer says. "They appear to have some sort of anti-inflammatory property that seems to stabilize blockages and make them less likely to rupture and travel to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke." New guidelines were released in November recommending statins for a broader range of patients, including those with Type 2 diabetes between ages 40 and 75. Medications are also critical if you have otherwise-uncontrollable high-blood pressure. Dr. Eugene Sherman stands next to a GE Millennium Myosight nuclear gamma camera at The Centennial Medical Plaza Pump It Up With exercise, you train muscles (including the heart) to be more efficient, Kramer says. So the more you push yourself, the more efficient the muscles become; then the heart can do more with less. Kramer says patients don't have to run a marathon; just walk the neighborhood. Exercise can lower stress, too, another factor behind heart disease. "And you'll soon find that you just feel better," Kramer says. Cut The Junk Good Eating healthy helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Kramer tells patients to take it one step at a time. Maybe substitute olive oil for butter first. Later, try another step. "You don't have to go from eating pizza and donuts every day to eating nothing but rice cakes." To read more on healthy-eating tips, see www.healthonecares.com/nutrition_center. DidYouKnow? A year after a smoker kicks the habit, risk of a heart attack drops to that of a nonsmoker. Dr. Eugene Sherman's message: "It's never too late to develop a healthy lifestyle." Dr. Bryan Kramer of Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center holds a Aortic Stent model Are you or a loved one in need of a doctor? We're here to help. A HealthONE representative can answer your questions and help you find the right physician, close to home. Call us today 303.575.0055 Health and Wellness Magazine • 45