Medical blog » Cardio http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com Medical News and Health Information Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:24:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Cardio Fitness the FUN Way—-Dancing! http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/11798.php4 http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/11798.php4#comments Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:41:08 +0000 admin http://www.antinode.org/11798.php4 Cardio Fitness the FUN Way—-Dancing!
ROCKLAND
(Dec 20):

Nearly everyone likes to dance but not everyone likes cardio exercise. Now you can dance and get a great cardio fitness workout too – whatever your age.
As we all know heart pumping aerobic exercise is an essential part of any anti aging health strategy. But – for many of us – “workout boredom” can get in the way. Most of us set goals for the new year to get into shape, but twice weekly visits to the gym to pound the treadmill or the exercise machines soon lose their attraction. And one thing you really need when you are trying to tone up and lose weight is motivation. So why not step out to a really fun dance studio?
Dance fitness, also known as “beat-based” fitness, is becoming a hot favorite among celebrities. Some of the most popular dance fitness forms:
• Ballroom dancing – fuelled by recent reality TV programs which put well known names through their dance paces – is experiencing a renaissance in the UK and Europe. Bring a sense of grace and elegance to your life, as well as a heart pumping workout. Posture is enhanced as well as balance and flexibility. No doubt about it this is strenuous exercise – but at its most graceful and fluid.
• Line dancing is considered low impact but it definitely has the ability to get your heart rate up. Forget the old country and western image – line dancing has expanded its horizons. The music can be soulful, swing, Latin, jazz, urban nightclub, and even the waltz and foxtrot can be done in a line – no partner needed, and we have Two-Step group classes starting in January!
• You LOVE those Latin dances and what could be a more exciting cardio workout? The Salsa, Rumba and Mambo are FUN to learn and you will use them MANY times on the dance floor at all your events!
• Swing, both East and West Coast Swing, continues to be a favorite of many of our students.
All forms of dance fitness share the bonus of combining fun with a great cardio workout. Many of them are also great forms of core exercise – developing strength in those core muscles which are so essential for fighting abdominal flab in our forties and beyond. There’s also the promise of reduced blood pressure, a new body, stronger bones and a great laugh with new friends.
As a Japanese proverb puts it: “We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” Just “boogie on down,” to Swing and Sway Dancing, 143 Maverick Street in Rockland and improve your general health, find flexibility you never thought achievable, tone muscle and have the time of your life.
Give us a call at 207-594-0940 or check us out on the web. See you on the dance floor!

]]> http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/11798.php4/feed 0 Birth Control Pill and Cardio Health: Big Questions Linger http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/15511.php4 http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/15511.php4#comments Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:19:54 +0000 admin http://www.antinode.org/15511.php4 at some point in their lives since the birth control pill’s introduction in the 1960s. But while this form of birth control has made life easier in many ways for women, big questions remain about its safety, especially among women at elevated risk of
.
spells out what we know about oral contraceptives’ safety — and how much remains unclear.
Frankly, I find it shocking. After close to half a century of the pill’s use, those gaps in knowledge are huge, according to the study, conducted by specialists in women’s heart disease at
in Los Angeles.
A variety of basic animal and human data suggest that
contraceptive hormones have antiatherosclerotic effects;
however, relatively less is known regarding the impact on
thrombosis, vasomotion, and arrhythmogenesis, mechanis-
tic pathways that also contribute to cardiovascular risk and
benefit.
No carefully controlled trials with cardiovascular
disease end points exist to guide our practice regarding
hormonal contraception, which is used by over 80% of U.S.
women at some point in their lifetimes.
, including
the progestins that lower blood pressure and body weight, as
well as the nonoral routes (transdermal and vaginal). While
these newer formulations might be expected to have an
overall lower risk, specific study is needed. Current guide-
lines indicate that, as with all medication, contraceptive
hormones should be selected and initiated by weighing risks
and benefits for the individual patient.
Translation: various studies have shown that oral contraceptives may help prevent atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. But we don’t know much about oral contraceptives’ effect on other aspects of cardiovascular health — and we don’t have any useful data telling us whether taking the birth control pill (the old-fashioned, high-estrogen kind or the newer, lower-dose and extended-cycle formulations) leads to cardiovascular disease.
, director of the Women’s Heart Center and the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and the study’s senior author, responds:
The most likely explanation is that hormonal contraceptives were/are developed to prevent pregnancy and are safe and effective for that purpose. Long-term constant use starting as teenagers and ending with menopause was not anticipated, and because women were not felt to be at risk for heart disease so a small increase in risk related to use would be well tolerated. There are other gender politics reasons that may or may not be contributing. I have said that if this was a male contraceptive, we would know much more.
And yet women keep asking for and getting prescriptions for oral contraceptives. How many of us even know to ask our doctors whether it might hurt our hearts? And even if we have an inkling that oral contraceptives can, for instance, contribute to formation of potentially lethal blood clots, do we have enough information about that risk to effectively weigh it against its many benefits (which may include some cardiovascular protections and reduction of ovarian cancer risk along with the regulation of our menstrual periods and the obvious protection against unwanted pregnancy)?
If you are on some form of the pill (or contraceptive patch or ring), are you concerned about its potential effects on your cardiovascular system? And have you discussed those concerns with your physician?
By Jennifer Huget|
January 16, 2009; 7:00 AM ET

|Category:
Posted by: rightmothering | January 16, 2009 9:02 AM
Posted by: KEBV | January 16, 2009 11:57 AM

]]> http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/15511.php4/feed 0 Cardio Fitness the FUN Way—-Dancing! http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/13944.php4 http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/13944.php4#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:49:08 +0000 admin http://www.antinode.org/13944.php4 Cardio Fitness the FUN Way—-Dancing!
ROCKLAND
(Jan 6):

Nearly everyone likes to dance but not everyone likes cardio exercise. Now you can dance and get a great cardio fitness workout too – whatever your age.
As we all know heart pumping aerobic exercise is an essential part of any anti aging health strategy. But – for many of us – “workout boredom” can get in the way. Most of us set goals for the new year to get into shape, but twice weekly visits to the gym to pound the treadmill or the exercise machines soon lose their attraction. And one thing you really need when you are trying to tone up and lose weight is motivation. So why not step out to a really fun dance studio?
Dance fitness, also known as “beat-based” fitness, is becoming a hot favorite among celebrities. Some of the most popular dance fitness forms:
• Ballroom dancing – fuelled by recent reality TV programs which put well known names through their dance paces – is experiencing a renaissance in the UK and Europe. Bring a sense of grace and elegance to your life, as well as a heart pumping workout. Posture is enhanced as well as balance and flexibility. No doubt about it this is strenuous exercise – but at its most graceful and fluid.
• Line dancing is considered low impact but it definitely has the ability to get your heart rate up. Forget the old country and western image – line dancing has expanded its horizons. The music can be soulful, swing, Latin, jazz, urban nightclub, and even the waltz and foxtrot can be done in a line – no partner needed, and we have Two-Step group classes starting in January!
• You LOVE those Latin dances and what could be a more exciting cardio workout? The Salsa, Rumba and Mambo are FUN to learn and you will use them MANY times on the dance floor at all your events!
• Swing, both East and West Coast Swing, continues to be a favorite of many of our students.
All forms of dance fitness share the bonus of combining fun with a great cardio workout. Many of them are also great forms of core exercise – developing strength in those core muscles which are so essential for fighting abdominal flab in our forties and beyond. There’s also the promise of reduced blood pressure, a new body, stronger bones and a great laugh with new friends.
As a Japanese proverb puts it: “We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” Just “boogie on down,” to Swing and Sway Dancing, 143 Maverick Street in Rockland and improve your general health, find flexibility you never thought achievable, tone muscle and have the time of your life.
Give us a call at 207-594-0940 or check us out on the web. See you on the dance floor!

]]> http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/13944.php4/feed 0 Expresso Fitness(R) Launches New Generation of Web-Enabled Cardio … http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/4099.php4 http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/4099.php4#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 00:13:38 +0000 admin http://www.antinode.org/4099.php4 Fitness Industry Leader Takes Exergaming to the Next Level with S3u(TM) and S3r(TM) Bikes SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 16

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Expresso Fitness(R), the
leading supplier and developer of interactive cardio fitness systems, today
announced the launch of their third generation of upright bikes (the S3u(TM))
and second generation of recumbent bikes (S3r(TM)). In keeping with
Expresso’s tradition of creating innovative, premium products, the two new
models integrate high-quality fitness with sophisticated computer systems to
provide true exertainment.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081016/AQTH042LOGO)

“The development of the new Expresso Bikes demonstrates our promise to
help exercisers achieve their personal fitness goals through motivating and
engaging virtual programs,” said Brian Button, CEO of Expresso Fitness.
“Additionally, it communicates that exergaming is more than just a trend. It
is a consumer demand and a shift in the way exercisers view fitness.”

The new Expresso Upright and Recumbent Bikes offer enhanced features and
functions designed to immerse you in your workout.

– Best-in-Class Video Screen: An exceptional viewing experience with the
largest screens in the industry, boasting a 19″ widescreen LCD at an angle
ideal for upright and recumbent biking.

– Improved Ergonomics on the Upright: More dynamic shifting functions,
which are now conveniently located on the handlebars.

The new Expresso Upright and Recumbent Bikes engage both the body and mind
by bringing the adventure of outdoor riding indoors and allowing users to race
in over 30 virtual tours, access chases or watch TV. All Expresso Bikes are
automatically and continuously refreshed with new workouts and programs,
keeping exercisers engrossed.

Expresso riders experience better training results than those using
ordinary stationary bikes because they are able to personalize and track their
workouts. All Expresso Bikes monitor personal data such as heart rate, power
and calories burned for the duration of each ride, offering gym-goers the most
superior fitness capabilities available. Additionally, they offer riders the
option to race against their best personal time with the ghost ride feature,
use a pacer to gauge their progress or compete in real-time against virtual
competitors, friends or members within the same fitness facility. After
working out, riders can visit www.expresso.net to monitor their progress or
see how they compare to on the global and facility-based leader boards.

New Expresso Upright and Recumbent Bikes are available for purchase now
and are located at fitness facilities across the country. For more
information, please visit www.expresso.com.

About Expresso Fitness(R)

Expresso Fitness(R) was founded in 2003 with the mission of satisfying an
exerciser’s need for an engaging and effective cardiovascular fitness
experience. The company leverages the benefits of superior interactive
technology at an affordable cost to provide the health, sports and fitness
industry with fully integrated, commercial-grade virtual reality-enhanced
cardio fitness systems that are revolutionizing indoor exercise. Expresso
systems are sold to fitness facilities and consumers in North America, Europe
and select international locations.

SOURCE Expresso Fitness

]]> http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/4099.php4/feed 0 St. Peter’s named a top cardio hospital http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/8712.php4 http://www.raganvirtualworkshops.com/8712.php4#comments Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:35:13 +0000 admin http://www.antinode.org/8712.php4 St. Peter’s Hospital has been named one of the nation’s Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals for the ninth year in a row.
The list, which was published in Nov. 17 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine, was based on a study by Thomson Reuters, an independent health research organization.
St. Peter’s, in Albany, N.Y., was one of only five hospitals across the country to be named to the Top 100 in nine or more years. It has made the list more often than any other hospital in the state. This time, only three New York Hospitals—St. Peter’s,
—made the cut.
The study examined the performance of hospitals nationwide, analyzing clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery and angioplasties. To qualify for the Top 100, hospitals had to achieve high scores across eight equally weighted performance criteria measuring evidence-based medicine, clinical outcomes, procedure volume, efficiency and cost.

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