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Heart-healthy Exercise can be Part of your Lifestyle
Rote, repetitious physical activity can be good for your body, but unless you enjoy the exercise and keep with it, it won't do much long-term good for your heart health.

In order to see long-term gains, you have to make a long-term investment in behavior. Studies have shown that the increased motivation and sense of accountability provided by group exercise and healthy social opportunities can go a long way in making exercise part of your lifestyle.

In Santa Clarita, residents see their commitment to New Year's resolutions come true every year, thanks to The Paseo Club. The marriage between refined exercise opportunities like tennis classes, Master's Swim, golf, top-quality group classes like Body Pump and much more, coupled with an enviable selection of social experiences and spa treatments, makes The Paseo Club an integral element to a healthy body and mind. Child care, a heated resort-like pool and benefits galore have made The Paseo Club Santa Clarita's most coveted partner for a healthy, happy lifestyle. 257-0044

Chiropractic Cuts Blood Pressure
Studies have shown that proper adjustments, including the Atlas adjustment, has a similar affect on the body as not one, but two blood-pressure medicines given in combination. What's also noteworthy is, unlike pharmaceutical prescriptions, these chiropractic adjustments were not accompanied with potential serious adverse affects.

The Atlas adjustment realigns the Atlas vertebra, a doughnut-like bone found at the highest point of the spine. Study participants who received this adjustment experienced an average 14 mm Hg greater decrease in systolic blood pressure and an average 8 mmHg greater decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
Free consultations with Dr. Chace Unruh are available at the Unruh Spine Center. 288-0022

Running the Heart
Running is a multi-faceted benefit to your health. It has roundly been found as one of the best ways to lose weight, relieve stress, feel at peace and so on.

One thing that does not get mentioned as often is how running helps the heart and cardiovascular systems. A strong heart and lungs pave the way for a healthier life in several different ways. Weight and heart diseases are linked. Running allows the body to remain strong and keep tabs on overtaxed systems.

Also, studies have shown that the bodies of people who run regularly, over the course of many years, are very efficient and continue to work and improve their system even after activity has ended. Many cases of heart attacks have ended almost miraculously because the heart was strong and healthy.
In terms of performance, a strong heart can lead to greater output over longer periods of time and improved recovery. At the end of a race, the heart that can pump more blood will out perform the heart with less volume; the same applies for post-race or after-endurance events. The better the heart, the faster one will recover. So remember to do some high-intense training that keeps your heart rate high. This will improve your health - and heart! Runners Lane Inc. 260-3368

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SCV Community Gives from the Heart
by Charlene Perrone
As the owner of Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley, I have the very good fortune of being able to take part in a national corporate-founded program called Be a Santa to a Senior, a wonderful way for people to come together to make seniors' wishes come true during the holidays.

Thanks to all of you who took part in this year's program, we were able to deliver nearly 1,400 gifts to seniors in need. These were seniors who may not have received a holiday gift at all, or who may no longer have family or friends to remember them during the holidays.

That thanks belongs, as well, to all the business owners in our area who supported us in this year's effort. So many generous companies supported our efforts, including Advanced Audiology, FASTFRAME, Gable Property Management, Gymnastics Unlimited, Home Smart, Pilates Teck, Santa Clarita Athletic Club, Saugus Drugs, Summerhill Villa, The UPS Store, Union Bank, Wicall's Carpet, Down and Beyond Ski Wear Outlet, Top of the Line Tax, the SCV Chamber of Commerce and Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

We are blessed to live in an area where seniors are so well served by the SCV Senior Center, the SCV Adult Day Health Care Program, the SCV Food Pantry and the Salvation Army and Senior Services Center on Main Street in Newhall. Thank you all for your participation and for the compassion you show throughout the year to all our seniors.
Charlene Perrone, CSA is the owner of Home Instead Senior Care.
254-8701

Henry Mayo Receives STEMI Receiving Center Designation
Hospital Offers Life-saving Service for Heart Attack Patients
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has been designated a STEMI Receiving Center from the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency. Heart attack patients can now be transported directly to Henry Mayo where they can receive a full spectrum of cardiac care.

This designation, which became effective on December 1, 2013, means that life-saving heart care will be available to residents of the Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding community who are experiencing ST Elevated Myocardial Infarctions (STEMI) - the most deadly form of heart attack. Henry Mayo healthcare providers will work in partnership with first responders to save more lives in the SCV.

"Congratulations to the heart team for the preparation and demonstrated competence in emergency cardiac care and readiness," said Roger Seaver, CEO and president of Henry Mayo. "The hospital would like to acknowledge the critically important role the paramedics and the pre-hospital care team play in this service. Paramedics have provided outstanding service and we are pleased to partner with them for heart attack victims in the SCV."

During a STEMI, there is an interruption of blood supply to the heart muscle, which can cause part of muscle to die. In the past, STEMI patients in the SCV were transported to other facilities for their care. Now, as a STEMI Receiving Center, Henry Mayo can provide immediate, life-saving cardiac care patients need close to home.

"Henry Mayo is proud to offer the SCV a complete range of cardiovascular services, from prevention, education, non-invasive testing and diagnostic catheterization to interventional cardiac care, angioplasty, stents and open heart surgery," said Jean Marie Stewart, Senior Director of Cardiovascular Services at Henry Mayo. "This STEMI designation will allow us to save more lives." www.henrymayo.com