2025 Go Red Luncheon: Courageous women
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, and often times the disease goes undiagnosed or simply misdiagnosed as well.
WSAV wants to make sure that we continue to raise awareness and educate you about heart disease.
The 2025 Southern Coast Go Red Luncheon was a huge success. These women have fought the fight, and they are living their best lives right now.
WSAV's Tina Tyus-Shaw was at Go Red and heard stories from two survivors, Shemika Simmons and Shelley Harrell, as they shared their journey with heart disease.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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As wrestling fans reel from the sudden death of Hulk Hogan, a cardiologist explains how to live long and healthy − and avoid chronic disease
On July 24, 2025, the American pro wrestling celebrity Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died at the age of 71. Hogan had chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a history of atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart, or atria, beat irregularly and often rapidly. His cause of death has been confirmed as acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. Hogan became a household name in the 1980s and has long been known for maintaining fitness and a highly active lifestyle, despite having had 25 surgeries in 10 years, including a neck surgery in May. Hogan's death has brought renewed attention to the importance of maintaining heart health through exercise. Many people think that bodybuilders are the 'picture' of health. However, the truth is that too much muscle can increase strain on the heart and may actually be harmful. It may seem ironic, then, that people who exercise to extreme levels and appear healthy on the outside can, in fact, be quite unhealthy on the inside. As the director of sports cardiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, I see patients of all age groups and at varying levels of fitness who are interested in promoting health by incorporating exercise into their lifestyle, or by optimizing their current exercise program. Exercise is the foundation for good health When people think of vital signs, they usually think about things such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels. However, the American Heart Association also includes 'fitness' as an additional vital sign that should be considered when determining a patient's overall health and risk of heart disease, cancer and death. While fitness may be determined in various ways, the best way is by checking what is known as peak oxygen uptake, or VO2 max, through a specialized evaluation called a cardiopulmonary exercise test. These can be performed at many doctors' offices and clinics, and they provide a wealth of information related to overall health, as well as heart, lung and skeletal muscle function. Exercise is one of the most effective interventions to prolong life and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases throughout life – in effect, prolonging lifespan and improving health span, meaning the number of years that people spend in good health. In fact, a large study done by the Cleveland Clinic found that a low level of fitness poses a greater risk of death over time than other traditional risk factors that people commonly think of, such as smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease and severe kidney disease. When it comes to brain health, the American Stroke Association emphasizes the importance of routine exercise and avoiding sedentary behavior in their 2024 guidelines on primary prevention of stroke. The risk of stroke increases with the amount of sedentary time spent throughout the day and also with the amount of time spent watching television, particularly four hours or more per day. Regarding cognitive decline, the Alzheimer's Society states that regular exercise reduces the risk of dementia by almost 20%. Furthermore, the risk of Alzheimer's disease is twice as high among individuals who exercise the least, when compared to individuals who exercise the most. There is also strong evidence that regular exercise reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, especially, colon, breast and endometrial cancer. This reduction in cancer risk is achieved through several mechanisms. For one, obesity is a risk factor for up to 13 forms of cancer, and excess body weight is responsible for about 7% of all cancer deaths. Regular exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight. Second, exercise helps to keep certain hormones – such as insulin and sex hormones – within a normal range. When these hormone levels get too high, they may increase cancer cell growth. Exercise also helps to boost the immune system by improving the body's ability to fight off pathogens and cancer cells. This in turn helps prevent cancer cell growth and also reduces chronic inflammation, which left unchecked damages tissue and increases cancer risk. Finally, exercise improves the quality of life for all people, regardless of their health or their age. In 2023, Hulk Hogan famously quipped, 'I'm 69 years old, but I feel like I'm 39.' The optimal dose of exercise Major health organizations, such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and Department of Health and Human Services, all share similar recommendations when it comes to the amount of exercise people should aim for. These organizations all recommend doing at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, or at least 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise. Moderate exercises include activities such as walking briskly (2.5 to 4 miles per hour), playing doubles tennis or raking the yard. Vigorous exercise includes activities such as jogging, running or shoveling snow. A good rule of thumb for figuring out how hard a specific exercise is is to apply the 'talk test': During moderate-intensity exercise, you can talk, but not sing, during the activity. During vigorous intensity exercise, you can say only a few words before having to stop and take a breath. There is a lot of solid data to support these recommendations. For example, in a very large analysis of about 48,000 people followed for 30 years, the risk of death from any cause was about 20% lower among those who followed the physical activity guidelines for Americans. Life can be busy, and some people may find it challenging to squeeze in at least 150 minutes of exercise throughout the course of the week. However, 'weekend warriors' – people who cram all their exercise into one to two days over the weekend – still receive the benefits of exercise. So, a busy lifestyle during the week should not prevent people from doing their best to meet the guidelines. What about the number of steps per day? In a new analysis in The Lancet, when compared with walking only 2,000 steps per day, people who walked 7,000 steps per day had a 47% lower risk of death from any cause, a 25% lower risk of developing heart disease, about a 50% lower risk of death from heart disease, a 38% lower risk of developing dementia, a 37% lower risk of dying from cancer, a 22% lower risk of depression and a 28% lower risk of falls. Historically, people have aimed for 10,000 steps per day, but this new data indicates that there are tremendous benefits gained simply from walking 7,000 steps daily. It's never too late to start One question that many patients ask me – and other doctors – is: 'Is it ever too late to start exercising?' There is great data to suggest that people can reap the benefits even if they don't begin an exercise program into their 50s. Being sedentary while aging will cause the heart and blood vessels to stiffen. When that happens, blood pressure can go up and people may be at risk of other things such as heart attacks, strokes or heart failure. However, in a study of previously sedentary adults with an average age of 53, two years of regular exercise reversed the age-related stiffening of the heart that otherwise occurs in the absence of routine exercise. And it is important to remember that you do not have to look like a body builder or fitness guru in order to reap the benefits of exercise. Almost three-quarters of the total benefit to heart, brain and metabolic health that can be gained from exercise will be achieved just by following the guidelines. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: William Cornwell, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Read more: Light exercise can yield significant cognitive benefits, new research shows Heart rate zones aren't a perfect measure of exercise intensity, but regularly getting your heart pumping is still important for fitness Tracking daily step counts can be a useful tool for weight management – an exercise scientist parses the science William Cornwell does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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2 days ago
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Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat Less of This High-Protein Food if You're Over 60
Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat Less of This High-Protein Food if You're Over 60 originally appeared on Parade. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., impacting millions of Americans each year. And while cardiovascular disease can be caused by a range of factors, including genetic ones, diet absolutely plays a role. That's especially true for older adults, who already have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) offers guidelines on the best foods to eat to support good cardiovascular health. Those include focusing on things like eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, eating whole grains and having healthy sources of protein. But while focusing on eating a healthy diet can help to lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, there's one high-protein food doctors say they wish older adults would skip entirely. Cardiologists explain why they'd rather people over 60 avoid this food, plus what to consider having instead.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 What Cardiologists Want You To Eat Less of if You're Over 60 Cardiologists share that deli meat can be a problematic food in people over 60. 'Deli meat is highly processed and preserved,' says , cardiologist and professor at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical , director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital, calls deli meat a 'triple threat' of contributing factors for cardiovascular disease. 'They have high sodium, unhealthy saturated fats and those concerning preservatives like nitrates,' she explains. Nitrates are commonly added to deli meats to work as a preservative and to enhance the meat's color and flavor, says , chief of the Division of Cardiology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. 'These are intended to keep the meat fresh for long periods." But while he points out that nitrates are found naturally in some vegetables, the nitrates added to meats can have a different impact on your health. Research has directly linked deli meat to cardiovascular issues. A scientific analysis of 32 studies analyzing the dietary habits of tens of thousands of healthy adults published in BMC Medicine found that substituting nuts, beans or whole grains for a daily serving of processed meats, including deli meats, lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 36%. Related: Why Deli Meat Is Linked to Heart Problems There are a few reasons why cardiologists aren't fans of deli meat. Deli meat is notorious for having high levels of sodium, and 'increased sodium intake is linked to higher blood pressure levels,' says, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. Dr. Curtis agrees. 'It can also increase the risk of heart failure or lead to heart failure exacerbations in patients who already have the condition,' she fat, which is also common in deli meat, is a risk factor for developing high cholesterol, per the AHA. 'High cholesterol is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,' Dr. Chen points out. The big concern with nitrates in deli meat is that they can react with other elements (either in the stomach or during food processing) to create something known as nitrosamines, Dr. Chen says, explaining, 'That can promote inflammation." Chronic inflammation has been linked with a host of serious medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. 'But what's particularly worrying is how these processed meats trigger inflammation in the arterial walls,' Dr. Weinberg What To Eat Instead of Deli Meat Research suggests that substituting plant foods, like beans and whole grains, for deli meat is especially helpful for heart health. But you can also swap deli meat for other forms of animal protein, according to , director of General & Preventive Cardiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. 'Care should be taken to choose meats that are lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium to improve overall cardiovascular health,' he says. 'Also consider tuna or salmon, which contain more heart-healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids.'Ultimately, Dr. Weinberg recommends focusing on fresh proteins that you prepare yourself, like roasted chicken or turkey you slice at home, or hard-boiled eggs. 'Plant proteins like mashed avocado, hummus or other bean spreads are fantastic sandwich fillers with zero inflammation concerns,' she says. 'If you absolutely can't give up deli meats, look for nitrate-free, lower-sodium versions, and balance them with plenty of anti-inflammatory foods like colorful vegetables and healthy fats.'Up Next:Sources: Cardiovascular Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heart Disease and Diet, U.S. National Library of Medicine Aging Changes in the Heart and Blood Vessels, U.S. National Library of Medicine The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations, American Heart Association Saturated Fat, American Heart Association Neuenschwander, M., Stadelmaier, J., Eble, J. et al. Substitution of animal-based with plant-based foods on cardiometabolic health and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMC Med. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03093-1 Dr. Anne B. Curtis, MD, cardiologist and professor at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Dr. James D. Mills, MD, director of General & Preventive Cardiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Dr. Catherine Weinberg, MD, director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA Dr. Alfonso H. Waller, MD,chief of the Division of Cardiology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Chavda VP, Feehan J, Apostolopoulos V. Inflammation: The Cause of All Diseases. Cells. 2024. DOI: 10.3390/cells13221906 Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat Less of This High-Protein Food if You're Over 60 first appeared on Parade on Jul 31, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat Less of This High-Protein Food if You're Over 60
Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat Less of This High-Protein Food if You're Over 60 originally appeared on Parade. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., impacting millions of Americans each year. And while cardiovascular disease can be caused by a range of factors, including genetic ones, diet absolutely plays a role. That's especially true for older adults, who already have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) offers guidelines on the best foods to eat to support good cardiovascular health. Those include focusing on things like eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, eating whole grains and having healthy sources of protein. But while focusing on eating a healthy diet can help to lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, there's one high-protein food doctors say they wish older adults would skip entirely. Cardiologists explain why they'd rather people over 60 avoid this food, plus what to consider having instead.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 What Cardiologists Want You To Eat Less of if You're Over 60 Cardiologists share that deli meat can be a problematic food in people over 60. 'Deli meat is highly processed and preserved,' says , cardiologist and professor at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical , director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital, calls deli meat a 'triple threat' of contributing factors for cardiovascular disease. 'They have high sodium, unhealthy saturated fats and those concerning preservatives like nitrates,' she explains. Nitrates are commonly added to deli meats to work as a preservative and to enhance the meat's color and flavor, says , chief of the Division of Cardiology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. 'These are intended to keep the meat fresh for long periods." But while he points out that nitrates are found naturally in some vegetables, the nitrates added to meats can have a different impact on your health. Research has directly linked deli meat to cardiovascular issues. A scientific analysis of 32 studies analyzing the dietary habits of tens of thousands of healthy adults published in BMC Medicine found that substituting nuts, beans or whole grains for a daily serving of processed meats, including deli meats, lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 36%. Related: Why Deli Meat Is Linked to Heart Problems There are a few reasons why cardiologists aren't fans of deli meat. Deli meat is notorious for having high levels of sodium, and 'increased sodium intake is linked to higher blood pressure levels,' says, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. Dr. Curtis agrees. 'It can also increase the risk of heart failure or lead to heart failure exacerbations in patients who already have the condition,' she fat, which is also common in deli meat, is a risk factor for developing high cholesterol, per the AHA. 'High cholesterol is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,' Dr. Chen points out. The big concern with nitrates in deli meat is that they can react with other elements (either in the stomach or during food processing) to create something known as nitrosamines, Dr. Chen says, explaining, 'That can promote inflammation." Chronic inflammation has been linked with a host of serious medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. 'But what's particularly worrying is how these processed meats trigger inflammation in the arterial walls,' Dr. Weinberg What To Eat Instead of Deli Meat Research suggests that substituting plant foods, like beans and whole grains, for deli meat is especially helpful for heart health. But you can also swap deli meat for other forms of animal protein, according to , director of General & Preventive Cardiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. 'Care should be taken to choose meats that are lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium to improve overall cardiovascular health,' he says. 'Also consider tuna or salmon, which contain more heart-healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids.'Ultimately, Dr. Weinberg recommends focusing on fresh proteins that you prepare yourself, like roasted chicken or turkey you slice at home, or hard-boiled eggs. 'Plant proteins like mashed avocado, hummus or other bean spreads are fantastic sandwich fillers with zero inflammation concerns,' she says. 'If you absolutely can't give up deli meats, look for nitrate-free, lower-sodium versions, and balance them with plenty of anti-inflammatory foods like colorful vegetables and healthy fats.'Up Next:Sources: Cardiovascular Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heart Disease and Diet, U.S. National Library of Medicine Aging Changes in the Heart and Blood Vessels, U.S. National Library of Medicine The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations, American Heart Association Saturated Fat, American Heart Association Neuenschwander, M., Stadelmaier, J., Eble, J. et al. Substitution of animal-based with plant-based foods on cardiometabolic health and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMC Med. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03093-1 Dr. Anne B. Curtis, MD, cardiologist and professor at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Dr. James D. Mills, MD, director of General & Preventive Cardiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Dr. Catherine Weinberg, MD, director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA Dr. Alfonso H. Waller, MD,chief of the Division of Cardiology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Chavda VP, Feehan J, Apostolopoulos V. Inflammation: The Cause of All Diseases. Cells. 2024. DOI: 10.3390/cells13221906 Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat Less of This High-Protein Food if You're Over 60 first appeared on Parade on Jul 31, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
