Skip Navigation



Advanced Search



Coach Lon Kruger on Heart Disease Prevention


Prev 1 2 Next

Know the Fundamentals of Heart Disease Prevention


In an impressive 2007-2008 season, one of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels biggest victories - Coach Kruger's successful sextuple bypass - took place preseason and off the courts.

Kruger's physician, Dr. Joe Johnson, was the key to detecting the coronary blockages. Despite Kruger not suffering from any symptoms, Johnson knew the coach's family had a history of heart problems and pushed for testing last July. When Kruger obliged, the blockages were discovered and Dr. V.C. Smith performed the coach's open heart procedure at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals on August 2, 2007. Within a week, the coach rebounded from surgery and was back at work.

"I've tried to lead a healthy lifestyle, but when it came to heart disease, heredity could not be overlooked," Kruger said. "Our hope is that people learn from this experience. Know your risk factors for heart disease. If you have several risk factors - such as a strong family history of heart disease - discuss them with your doctor and ask if you should be tested for coronary artery disease (CAD). If someone is reading this right now and has been thinking about getting tested or knows a loved one who should get tested, do it immediately before it is too late."

 
"Because of the quality of care I received from my St. Rose team, my coronary blockages were identified and addressed, and it all began with a simple preventive health check up. Without it, I would have inevitably experienced a life-threatening cardiac event within the next few years. I was blessed - don't hesitate to get either yourself or your loved ones tested."

The Fundamentals of Heart Disease Prevention

Know Your Opponents. In the game of basketball it is important to know your opponents. In the game of life, it is equally as important to know your level of risk for diseases such as CAD. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing CAD. Some risk factors - age, gender and a family history of heart disease - are out of your control. Others you can change - smoking, diabetes, being overweight or obese, high cholesterol and physical inactivity.

Following are a few of the opponents you may be up against:

  • Age - As you get older, your risk for CAD increases. In men, risk increases after age 45. In women, risk increases after age 55.
  • Family History of Heart Disease - According to the American Heart Association, if one or both of your parents have heart disease, you are more likely to develop it yourself. In addition to your family history, your ethnicity can also mean you have inherited an increased risk. For example, African Americans have more severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and a higher risk for heart disease. Heart disease risk is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. This is partly because these groups are more likely to have obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • High Total Blood Cholesterol - High cholesterol increases your chances of developing CAD. The higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk for CAD. People who have total cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dL have an increased risk factor for CAD. Talk to your health care provider about how to lower your cholesterol level. Sometimes you can lower your cholesterol just by changing your lifestyle. Other times you may also need to take medication.
  • Diabetes - Having diabetes makes it much more likely that you will develop CAD. Even people who carefully control their blood sugar are at greater risk. The risk is even greater for people who don't control their blood sugar. About three-fourths of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease. If you have diabetes, work with your health care provider to keep it under control. Try to control any other risk factors you have.
  • Overweight - Extra pounds - especially if most of them are around your waist - make it more likely that you will develop CAD. Excess weight makes your heart work harder and raises your blood pressure. It also raises your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lowers your HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Extra weight can also make diabetes more likely to develop. Many obese and overweight people may have difficulty losing weight, but by losing even as few as 10 pounds, you can lower your heart disease risk. Talk to your health care provider about how to lose weight.
  • Physical Inactivity - Regular, moderate exercise helps control cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It also helps prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity. The more vigorous your exercise, the greater the benefits, according to the American Heart Association. Be sure to check with your health care provider before starting an exercise program. Your provider can also help you decide which exercise is best for you.

 


Bottom of Navigation