Heart Month is All Year Round

Did you know that February was National Heart Month? Did you do anything to make sure your heart was in tip-top shape? If you're like most people, you didn't! High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and almost every major life threatening condition. Come in for a FREE Blood Pressure check! During the month of March, come into the office, at no charge, to get a FREE Blood Pressure check. If you've got an issue, we'll make a plan to solve it, and solve it fast. In March, if you have a home blood pressure machine, we'll check it for accuracy, and ensure you're using the machine correctly, also for free. Just give us a call at 203-853-1919, and let us know you're coming in, appointments for this service are not necessary. Please share this important free service with your friends. You never know when you can save a life. See you at the office.

Are You Still Smoking?

Fifty years after the release of the US Surgeon General report on smoking, the percent of adult smokers has gone down from 42% to 18%. With it, the number of people dying of lung cancer has decreased somewhat. But smoking remains the number one direct cause of death in the US!

The cost of tobacco use to the US economy is close to $300 billion (yes, with a "b") a year in direct medical cost and productivity loss. For every dollar spent on cigarettes, $5 are spent on related health care. And for every cigarette you smoke, you are likely to lose more than 20 minutes of life.

Fitness and Conditioning: Why is VO2 Important?

If you exercise regularly, if you exercise vigorously and want to know if you could do even better, you may want to know your VO2 max.

When you exercise, your oxygen consumption increases. It does so within limits which vary from person to person. Your VO2max (where V stands for Volume and O2 stands for oxygen) is your maximal ability to consume oxygen during exertion, measured in milliliters of oxygen per kg of body weight, per minute.

Oxygen is inhaled from the atmosphere by the lungs, where it diffuses into the blood stream, and then

My Grandpa Wants You to Have a Physical Exam!

I want you to call (203) 853-1919 now...

Are You Getting Too Little Sleep?

A lot has been said recently about the adverse effects of not getting enough sleep. These range from accidents, big and small, to heart attacks, depression, forgetfulness, weight gain, and....(the list goes on). But individuals vary in their need for sleep. For some, the "classic" 8 hours sleep is just right. For others, 7 or 9 hours is the right number. And the need may change with age and other circumstances.
So how do you know if you're getting enough sleep? If you're inappropriately sleepy during the day, you may not be getting enough sleep.

The simple questionnaire shown below (known as the Epworth Sleepiness Questionnaire) was developed to assess your daytime sleepiness.For each of the 8 questions, circle the most appropriate level. Don't skip any question.

0 -  there is no chance you would doze or sleep

1 -  there is a slight chance of dozing or sleeping
2 - there is a moderate chance of dozing or sleeping
3 - there is a high chance of dozing or sleeping

Situation Chance of Dozing or Sleeping    Sitting and reading    Watching TV 0     1       2     3 0     1       2     3    Sitting inactive in a public place 0     1       2     3    A passenger in a car for an hour or more 0     1       2     3    Lying down in the afternoon 0     1       2     3    Sitting and talking to someone 0     1       2     3    Sitting quietly after lunch (no alcohol) 0     1       2     3    Stopped for a few minutes in traffic       while driving 0     1       2     3 Total score (add up all circled numbers) __________

A score of 10 or higher may indicate that you are not getting enough sleep. It just doesn't tell you the reason.

A score of 18 or above is considered "very sleepy." Further evaluation may be needed to look for the cause, which may include the high risk condition of sleep apnea.

If you are concerned, seek advice. We're here to help.