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ROSARIO SEVILLA MD Cardiologist and Internist
Patient Resources


PATIENT INFORMATION IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT
OF GOOD HEALTH MAINTENANCE

ADVICE FROM YOUR DOCTOR

LIFESTYLE NOTES
 
SEXERCISE
Sexercise is acknowledged to burn as much calories as going up 2 flights of stairs, unless you prefer highly athletic variations. Even patients with heart disease are allowed this particular form of exercise.
 
DIETARY FAT
Just remember that dietary fat should be kept under 30% of your total caloric intake for the day. So all the statements re: nuts and chocolate should be taken in this context. Also, total calorie intake is an important factor to consider when trying to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

WINE
Wine should be taken in moderation, since it does have many adverse effects when taken in excess. Again, if you drink a lot, limit it to 1-2 drinks a day. If you don't drink, there is no reason to start. There are studies that suggest that drinking red grape juice may
bestow the same kind of beneficial effects on your cholesterol levels as wine.
 
TEA
Tea, in any form, is promising due to the antioxidants it contains - green better than black. Some studies suggest that it is better to take it the Asian way, rather than the English way for maximal benefit - i.e., plain or with lemon, rather than with milk. However, temper this statement with the thought that tea does contain caffeine too, so there may be some people who cannot tolerate large amounts of tea.

In summary, no food is absolutely bad - as I have told my patients repeatedly, it is alright to take a small bite of everything but nothing should be taken in excess.  Partner this with good lifestyle choices - no smoking, regular exercise, avoidance of stress whenever possible, and a prudent diet, and it will augur well for your over-all health. If you have medical problems, consult your doctor so that you will be able to plot just how much you can be allowed, without wrecking the good control of your disease. 

HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

High cholesterol levels do not cause any kind of discomfort. However, if you do have high cholesterol levels, it is silently wreaking havoc in your system. Blood vessels in every part of your body may become tighter and obstructed due to deposition of the excess cholesterol. If the vessel becomes completely blocked, then that will cut off blood supply in that portion of the body. If it happens in the heart, it causes a heart attack. If it occurs in the brain, then you get a stroke. All these may be catastrophic to your entire system and cause major debilitation.

The good news, however, is that it may be possible to prevent all these problems. All it takes is a simple blood test to find out your levels. This is particularly important if you have family members who have been diagnosed to have high blood cholesterol, or may have already had a heart attack or a brain stroke.

The optimal level of blood cholesterol is below 200 mg% or 5.2 mmol/l, depending on the units used by your laboratory. Levels above these, especially if combined with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, will unduly increase your chances of developing a heart or brain condition.

Whats the best way to keep your blood cholesterol levels in the ideal range? A balanced, high fiber, and low fat diet is always the first step. Regular exercise also keeps your levels low. If, despite these changes in your lifestyle, your levels remain elevated, then it would be a good idea to go see your doctor for medications that can help you bring down your cholesterol levels and keep your blood vessels clean and clear!


USING "HERBAL" AND "NATURAL" FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
 
The words "Herbal" and "Natural" do NOT guarantee the absence of side effects and drug interactions. Certain products, such as caffeine, green tea, ginseng, licorice, vitamin E, etc. have been reported to cause many side effects, such as palpitations, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, and liver abnormalities.  They have also been known to interact with prescription drugs such that the desired effects of the medications can be significantly altered. Unfortunately, food supplements are not required by law to undergo stringent testing and clinical trials, so the safety and efficacy of these supplements have not been proven. If you are taking prescription medications, PLEASE tell your doctor so that he can advise you about their use and possible interactions and adverse effects.

Tips for Eating Out

1. Read menu descriptions and choose carefully:

Foods cooked in the following ways are high in fat:

  • Fried
  • Basted
  • Braised
  • Au Gratin
  • Crispy
  • Escalloped
  • Pan-fried
  • Sautéed
  • Stewed
  • Stuffed

The following cooking methods are usually lower in fat:

  • Steamed
  • Broiled
  • Baked
  • Grilled
  • Poached
  • Roasted 

Foods with the following descriptions are usually high in sodium:

  • Pickled
  • In cocktail sauce
  • Smoked
  • In broth
  • Au Jus
  • In a tomato base
  • In soy sauce
  • In teriyaki sauce.

2. Ask your waiter to serve all sauces on the side

Most gravy and salad dressings are high in fat and sodium. This way,you can control the amount of sauce that goes onto your food. 

3. Don't hesitate to choose from the Children's Menu

Food portions are usually smaller than standard adult servings.

4. Do share a meal with a friend.

This way, you will be eating half of what you would usually do.

ATTENTION!
VITAMIN E USERS
Recent clinical trials conducted among thousands of patients have shown that Vitamin E has NO effect on the prevention of heart disease and cancer. In fact, the data showed that more patients (with diabetes or heart disease) taking Vitamin E developed heart failure, when compared to those taking placebo (sugar pills). If you are on Vitamin E, please consult with your physician regarding this matter.

CONSULTATION TIPS

GOING TO THE DOCTOR IS ALWAYS AN IMPORTANT EVENT.
Nobody goes to the doctor just for fun. There is usually a reason for the consultation. Is there a pain here, an itch there, or a friend recently got sick and you are afraid that you have got it, too? Whatever it is, make sure that your visit to the doctor will be worth the time you spent for it.

Here are some tips that will help make your next consultation with your favorite doctor a success.

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY BEFORE YOU GO TO YOUR DOCTOR. Being prepared saves time and explanations. Your doctor will surely ask you about details. What exactly do you feel, when does it occur, how long did it last? If necessary, make notes so that you will be sure not to forget. Write down important dates and other details of your medical history. Do not be shy about reading your notes your doctor will appreciate it.

IF YOU HAVE ANY RECENT LAB TESTS, BRING YOUR COPY OF THE RESULTS. It is often very difficult for the doctor to simply rely on your verbal report of any laboratory test. If you have had ECGs or X-rays done, bring the tracings and the plates themselves. Most doctors would like to review these themselves. Bringing these on your consult may actually save you an extra trip.

BRING A LIST OF YOUR MEDICATIONS. If you are taking any kind of medication (vitamins, diet pills, over-the counter preparations, herbal drugs), write down their names (both brand and generic) as well as their doses. Better yet, bring the tablets/capsules/liquids in their original packaging, especially if you bought them abroad. Rare is the physician who will be able to identify your medicines based, solely, on your description of its color, size, and shape.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. A good doctor will take the time to give you adequate explanations. The hardest patients to cure are those who do not understand their condition they are the ones who do not follow the physicians instructions and consequently, will never get well.

BE HONEST. Be ready to own up to any bad habits or risky behavior (smoking, excessive drinking, promiscuity, etc.). This type of information is crucial to making some types of diagnoses. Rest assured, your doctor will surely keep this information private.

BE REALISTIC. Dont expect your ailments to disappear like magic. Most therapies take, at least, a day or two to make you feel better. If your condition is complicated, it will probably take even longer.

DO AS YOUR PHYSICIAN SAYS. A key element to getting better is cooperation your cooperation. Take your medicines, as instructed. Carry out any changes in lifestyle (rest, diet,etc.) that are required. Most important, come back for the follow-up visit. This will allow your physician to determine if any changes in your therapy are necessary.

TAKE THESE TIPS TO HEART AND YOUR NEXT CONSULTATION WILL BE MORE FRUITFUL

DISCLAIMER - The information contained in this site is presented for the purpose of educating patients on overall health and disease management. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SITE IS INTENDED TO BE INSTRUCTIONAL FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. The information presented here should not be considered complete, or take the place of a consultation with a physician or competent healthcare professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. It should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

Information obtained on this site is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment. See your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly with any health care related questions. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on any new treatment, diet or fitness program. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this site. The information contained here is compiled from a variety of Information Providers. Neither this site nor Information Providers directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services.