Results from a major MHIF research
study
In February 2001, husband and wife team Teresa Marrone and Bruce Bohnenstingl
participated in the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s In Touch With Heart
Health special event. This event, now in its 13th year, is a community heart
health screening and follow-up educational seminar offered during February,
heart month. It consists of a Saturday morning screening in which attendees
complete the Heart Test™ – a computerized risk assessment – and participate in a
complete blood lipid profile (HDL/LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, glucose,
triglycerides, and blood pressure screening).
An evening program follows in which an MHIF cardiologist and dietitian give
presentations and participants receive a personalized printout of their risk for
heart disease. Health educators and nurses are also on site to provide
one-on-one counseling to assist individuals with interpreting their risk summary
report.
Can an event like this change a person's life? It did for Bruce and Teresa.
Both have a family history of heart disease. Knowing these risks, Bruce had
already initiated some lifestyle changes before the heart screening. Teresa knew
she had an elevated cholesterol level but lacked the tools and resources
necessary to make change a reality. Their family physician informed them they
needed to make changes, but, according to Teresa, they were unable to find
motivational tools. "I knew we needed to make some changes," she states. "Your
program came at just the right time for us, providing us with the emotional
tools and motivation to make changes happen. It offered warm, friendly advice at
a level that was easy to grasp. The In Touch program reinforced the choices
Bruce was making and really motivated me to get involved as well."
The most dramatic changes for the couple have been in diet and activity. They
have gained an increased awareness of fat content and portion sizes. "We now
purchase one steak instead of two, eat more grains and vegetables and watch what
we order at restaurants," says Teresa. "Now when we go to a restaurant we ask
for take-home boxes, making three meals out of one, where before we would have
cleaned the plate as we were taught growing up. We also request the chef to
prepare entrees in a heart-healthy fashion." Another stark reality was learning
about the fat content in the popular "super-sizing" fast food craze. A suggested
daily portion of fat, for example, can easily be met or exceeded in one fast
food meal. "There are not a lot of choices for healthful fast food eating," said
Bruce.
Both Bruce and Teresa struggled with achieving and maintaining an ideal body
weight over the years and had tried traditional dieting with intermittent
success. In addition to dietary changes they have increased their exercise
levels since attending the program. Bruce started walking three miles a day and
is now up to five miles per day most days of the week. He has lost and kept off
40 pounds since January. "These changes aren’t a burden at all, but a real
lifestyle change," says Bruce. He and Teresa feel that their lifestyle changes
are permanent rather than temporary. "Friends who haven’t seen us in a while are
really surprised when they see both of us, especially Bruce," says Teresa.
When asked for the single most important factor for making heart health
change, both agreed it was the importance of a support system and having to be
accountable to someone else. "You have to be motivated to make any lifestyle
change. It's easy to stray, but when one of us does the other is there to
provide the support to get back on track," replies Bruce.
"One message that really hit home for me was that one has to take control of
one’s situation. The system won't take care of you. We really appreciated the
practical and inspirational ideas, literature and continued follow-up and
support that was offered by MHIF," says Teresa.
Perhaps Bruce sums it up best: "You are given the first 40 years of your
life. You have to earn the next 40 years."
For more information, consult www.mplsheartfoundation.org or contact the
MHIF Education Services Division at 612/863-3979.
