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Show 'BncO attttoiTG' Mind, EcujoGdocuc a raid Hear ft Klealh by Michael J. Bjornson, PhJX, Clinical Health Psychologist, Ashley Family Clinic February was the month where many people's thoughts turn to love and relationships. We see hearts and other mementos of love displayed dis-played in various settings. Romance flourishes. For this, we can thank the Christian martyr of Rome, Saint Valentine. Volumes have been written on exploring, defining and understanding understand-ing love. It is beyond the scope of this article to elaborate on the semantics of love, but rather to shed light on the science of relationships and emotions as they relate to your heart, or cardiac health. If you are interested to know that positive emotional states and happy relationships relation-ships are cardioprotective and may lead to a healthier and longer life, then read on. Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular car-diovascular disease, is a significant public health problem. It is often thought of as a man's disease, however, how-ever, it is the number one killer of women in America, killing far more women than breast cancer. Most of us are familiar with hypertension, elevated cholesterol, obesity, poor dietary intake, diabetes, smoking and other poor lifestyle choices. What is less known in our society is the clear evidence that psychosocial psychoso-cial factors such as hostility, anger, depression, anxiety, stress and social isolation are major contributing contribut-ing factors in cardiovascular disease. dis-ease. At leading medical centers nationally, nation-ally, psychologists, physicians and other health researchers have been actively collaborating to scientifically scientifi-cally document the strong connection connec-tion between our mind, emotions and the powerful influence on cardiac car-diac health. The evidence has been compelling. com-pelling. Take anger for instance. In a prospective study published in the journal "Circulation" vol. 101, No. 17, 1999, Janice Williams, Ph.D., at the University of North Carolina, explored whether angry dispositions would lead to heart disease among 1 2,986 white and African American men and women. The results were striking. Among those with normal blood pressure, those with high scores on the anger scale were three times more likely to have suffered heart attacks or sudden cardiac death than those with low scores. These findings held true even after controlling for risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and smoking. In addition to anger, hostility has been linked to predisposing young people to cardiovascular disease. The "Journal of American Medical Association" (JAMA) Vol 283, No. 19, 1999, published a 10-year study conducted by Karen Matthews, Ph.D., at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Matthews discovered that people who scored high in hostility were twice as likely, 10 years later, to have coronary artery calcification, or hardening of the arteries, as measured with a technique called electronbeam computed tomography. tomogra-phy. Positive emotional states and personality per-sonality factors have also been linked to heart health and length of life. Optimism for instance, appears to play a role in length of life. Researchers from Yal and Miami Universities, as summarized in the "University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter" vol. 20, No. 5, Feb. 2004, found that people over age 50 who viewed aging in a positive posi-tive manner, lived on average, 7.5 years longer than those with a pessimistic pes-simistic or negative outlook. In fact, these researchers determined deter-mined that optimism was a stronger predictor than blood cholesterol levels. lev-els. The Mayo Clinic has also linked optimism to longevity, finding find-ing that optimists have one-half the risk of early death, compared to pessimists. Harvard Researcher, Dr. Laura Kubzansky, found that optimism, outlook and how one explains events in life is protective against heart disease. Kubzansky and her Harvard research colleagues believe that negative emotions and pessimism are risk factors for heart disease. Depression, anxiety and stress are also risk factors in the development of and recovery from heart disease. Depression contributes to coronary coro-nary artery disease and can potentially poten-tially increase the risk for heart attacks by 60 per cent. For those who have suffered from a heart attack, if depression exists, the likelihood like-lihood of dying is three times greater than for non-depressed people, peo-ple, "Psychosomatic Medicine, Vol. 61, No. 26, 1999. This is especially important for women, since they are twice as likely like-ly to develop depression after a heart attack. Depression's impact on survival is also influenced by positive relationships and social support. Those individuals who had good supportive relationships were less prone to depression and had longer survival rates after their heart attacks, compared to those without such relationships, "Circulation, Vol. 101, No. 16, 1999. Stress hass been linked to cardiac health, and has been determined to be a powerful trigger in myocardial ischemia, where the heart does not get adequate blood supply to meet its needs. Anxiety produces physiological physio-logical arousal, which when prolonged, pro-longed, can contribute to a disturbance distur-bance in your heart rhythm, known as ventricular arrhythmia. An important question is why and how do negative emotions and personality per-sonality characteristics contribute to the onset of heart disease? The answer is complicated and there is not a consensual agreement amongst researchers, although we have learned a great deal about the pathophysiology or onset of disease and the mind-body connection. To put it another way, thoughts that we have can influence how our bodies function physically, through a complex interplay of neurochemical, neurochemi-cal, neuroendocrine (hormonal), metabolic, and immunological responses. Have you ever experienced something some-thing stressful and moments later felt your stomach or head hurting, heart beating faster, or your muscles tightening up? This is an example of physical manifestation of your thoughts. Negative emotional states clearly impact our body's physiological functioning and can create a whole host of undesirable physical problems. prob-lems. Optimism and healthy emotional emo-tional states have been demonstrated demonstrat-ed to positively impact our immune system, possibly helping us to fight off certain diseases or illnesses. Another consideration with respect to the mind-body connection connec-tion and the onset of cardiac problems prob-lems has to do with negative or stressful mood states and the direct impact such emotions can have on lifestyle behaviors. Positive, optimistic and "stress-hardy" "stress-hardy" people are more likely to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors behav-iors such as exercising, eating healthy, enjoying meaningful relationships rela-tionships and pursuing healthy outlets. out-lets. Aversive or negative mood states and poor stress coping, frequently contribute to smoking, excess drink- - K l- -I rnml 5 Generations Marvin Jackson (Great-Great-Grandfather) Shirley Smith (Great-Grandmother) Cheryl Robertson (Grandmother) Corri Bergstrom (Mother) Rylly Bergstrom (Daughter) Vernal Office - 1607 W. Hwy 40 435-789-3335 Open 9 am - 7 pm Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm Sat. Extended hours in Feb. no MM Hack Tm Swvtai Mt Vernal Michael J. Bjornson, Ph.D. ing, overeating unhealthy foods and other health sabotaging behaviors. These all contribute to a decline in one's health. From a prevention standpoint, it is well documented that learning methods to better manage our negative nega-tive emotions can improve psychological psycho-logical and physical health and reduce susceptibility to illness and disease. Stress management interventions have been found to improve cardiac health and reduce the incidence rate of further cardiac problems and significantly sig-nificantly reduce the cost of health care expenses for heart patients, even more so than aerobic exercise interventions and typical medical cardiac care, according to research conducted by Duke University Medical Center and the American Psychological Association. If you experience ongoing depression, depres-sion, anxiety, anger, hostility or see the "glass of life" as half-empty versus half-full, do not take this to mean that you are destined to have heart problems. Rather, you are placed in a higher risk category. It may make sense to take a personal per-sonal inventory of your life and examine how you react and respond to things that happen to you. Fither take it upon yourself to improve your physical health and learn self-help self-help strategies to boost your emotional emo-tional or psychological state of mind. If you aren't sure how to go about doing that, don't see it as a weakness weak-ness to seek help from a psychologist psycholo-gist or other appropriately trained health care professional. Individuals with the right training can help facilitate learning ways to improve your quality and perhaps length of life. I wish you happiness and good heart health! If you want to make farm life less taxing, talk to the professionals at H4R Block. Our preparers can answer questions about things like the sale or exchange of farm assets, income averaging, and disaster losses. It's just another part of H4R Block Advantage. Call 1-800-HRBLOCK or visit hrblock.com. HlrR 11000 juit plain vwl Express Ashley Elementary celebrates with Seuss Over 200 students at Ashley Elementary came to school Tuesday dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters. Breanna Pittsenbargar, Sammie Jackson, Elizabeth Barker, Keaton Graham and McKenlie Hacking join their principal, "Bear", Diedra Massey, for their costumed lunch. Teachers and administrators joined in the observance of the beloved children's author who would have celebrated cele-brated his 100th birthday Tuesday, March 2. Remember the A man who has spent his life in compassionate service, now is needing his community's help. Roger Sterle, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Vernal, has lost nearly 80 per cent of his liver function. func-tion. Doctors have evaluated his condition and have given him a grim prognosis if he does not have a liver transplant, he will die. Fortunately, his general health is reasonably good and he has been placed as No. 1 on the transplant list for persons with Type O blood in Utah. Of course, the overall costs of such a procedure are huge. Sterle began his vocation in humanitarian service when he was ordained a minister in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod June 13, 1976. He has served a variety of parishesin Montana, Texas, Illinois, Iowa and Utah, as well as being an Evangelistic Missionary for his church on the island of Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon). Sri Lanka is a pear shaped island off the coast of India. Sterle and his wife Shirley and children Bethany and Nathan, have been members of the Vernal community com-munity for 10 years. During that time, they have participated in numerous community activities. Many in the community remember Sterle coaching and refereeing AYSO Soccer as well as high school boys and girls soccer. Funds are being raised to help with the cost not covered by the 70 per cent that the insurance will pay. Thrivent Financial For Lutherans based in Appleton, Wise, is a fraternal fra-ternal life insurance group that helps in situations similar to Pastor Sterle's. Funds raised locally will be matched dollar to dollar up to $6,900. Costs are likely to overrun that amount substantially. Those wishing to donate to help Pastor Sterle have several options. Donation jars are scattered throughout businesses in Vernal A bank account specifically set up for this fund raiser is in place at Wells Fargo Bank "Our Savior Lutheran Church, benefit fund for Pastor Sterle, account No. 06252220840. Checks made out to Thrivent fitrW ifie 9gjfWfff$f$ 3!4l!4 thl Good Samaritan X ..r v Pastor Roger Sterle Financial for Lutherans for the Pastor Sterle fund can be mailed to Our Savior lutheran Church at P.O. Box 342, Vernal Utah. 84078. Any questions regarding this fundraiser may be addressed to Chrylk Bonnie at 435-789-67 1 1 , or Sharon Bershears at 435-789-88877. Trees for your VAPJ arc o. SAII As low as 1.50 per tree Black Walnul Green Ash Littleleaf Linden Siouxland Poplar Quaking Aspen Amur Maple Norway Maple Chokecherry Purple Lilac Cotoneaster Late Lilac-Nanking Lilac-Nanking Cherry Dogwood Crabapple (Roselow) Serviccberry Siberian Pea Shrub Polenlilla Norway Spruce Scotch Pine Blue Spruce Weed Barrier Fabric Hydostjurce Soil Amendment Trees tire barerot't and must heyrdered in full bundles Tree pick-up date is April 23, 2004 at the VSDA Office in Ronsevelt, Utah M ake checks payable Mail or del iver to: 240 W. Hwy Wednesday, March 3, 2004 Q5 Emily Ogden Ogden receives Young Womanhood Recognition Emily Ogden, daughter of DeLyle and Wendy Ogden. received her Young Womanhood Recognition Award on Sunday, Feb. 22. The award was presented by Bishop Tim Hadlock of the Vernal LDS 3rd Ward. She had to complete 42 value experiences and seven 10-hour projects to earn the award. She is a senior at Uintah High School where she is a Sterling Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. Raymond Kirk Kirk earns Arrow of Light Raymond Kirk, son of Douglas and Marie Kirk, received his Arrow of Light Award on Jan. 27. He is a member of Troop 244 of the Maeser LDS 1st Ward; the Cub Master is India Bastian and the Webelos leaders are Cathy Heaton and Dee Collett. For more information, or to place an order, contact Roosevelt Darrell Gillman at (435)722-4621 ext. 127 Heather Jenkins at (435)722-4621 ext. 126 Vernal Bill Rasmussen at (435) 789-2100 ext. 37 Eula Wise at (435) 789-2100 ext. 28 lo: Duchesne County SCD 40 (333-4) Roosevelt, Utah 84066 Ife -if? W till- H4i i ' I |