Category Archives: Stroke

Is Hormone Therapy Bad for Me? | Fullerton, CA

Breast Cancer, Gynecology, Health, Menopause, Stroke, Uncategorized, Womens Health, , , , , , , , ,

The history of hormone replacement in women has seen many swings in popularity over the past few decades. In 1991, the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) launched the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), designed to test the effects of hormone therapy on heart disease, bone fractures, breast cancer and colon cancer. One group of women who had undergone a hysterectomy received oral estrogen (Premarin) alone [estrogen replacement therapy or ERT]. A second group received a combination of Premarin and progesterone (PremPro) [combination hormone replacement therapy or HRT]. A third group received a placebo, which contained no hormone. In 2002, the study was stopped because the Provera group was associated with a slight increase in the incidence of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

In April 2011, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a follow-up study of the women in the WHI who took estrogen alone. The finding: a statistically significant reduction in breast cancer over time. Among the women with a prior hysterectomy treated with estrogen alone and followed for 11 years, there was NO increased risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, hip fracture, colon cancer or mortality.

After a decade of fear and confusion regarding the risks and benefits of estrogen replacement therapy, medical studies have now clearly established its safety and its health benefits. In March 2012, the North American Menopause Society released a statement that supports these findings, stating that combination hormone therapy (both estrogen and progesterone) initiated around the time of menopause is safe.

If you would like more information on hormone therapy, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 to schedule an appointment today. Or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for additional information regarding women’s health. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding Orange County areas.

Stress Just Isn’t Healthy for You | Fullerton, CA

Health, Heart Attack, Heart Condition, Heart Disease, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Heart Health, Stroke, , , , , ,

Now that we have begun another year, it’s time to re-evaluate our current health practices. Not only does this include your diet and fitness routines, but every aspect of your lifestyle. Your overall wellness is a dynamic process that changes with age and circumstance. Understanding your current state of wellness improves your knowledge, helps you set goals and empowers you to make better choices for a healthier life.

We all think stress is a typical part of life we cannot avoid, but stress can greatly affect your wellness. Understanding more about stress and how to limit your stress can help lead you to a path of wellness. Investigating symptoms of stress. Chronic stress is believed to raise the risk of increased blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic back pain, depression and a reduced immune response.

Common symptoms of stress:

  • Headaches
  • Backaches
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Recurring nightmares
  • Irritability
  • Loss of concentration

Effective steps for dealing with stress:

  • Discuss your symptoms and your feelings about them
  • Keep a diary to gain insight into your concerns and emotional patterns
  • Exercise regularly engaging in both aerobic and weight training
  • Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation deep breathing exercises
  • Maintain your immune system by eating well balanced meals, exercising regularly and
  • getting sufficient sleep
  • Avoid destructive behaviors, including overindulgence of alcohol, caffeine or smoking
  • Seek professional help if any of your symptoms persist, interfering with your sense of well-being and/or your personal/work relationships.
  • Medications

If you would like to take the first step towards a stress-free lifestyle, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 to schedule an appointment today. Or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for additional information regarding women’s health. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding Orange County areas.

American Stroke Month

Stroke, ,

mom and teen daughter

The month of May marks American Stroke Month, a time to raise stroke awareness. Strokes do not discriminate, they can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. According the American Stroke Association, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, in the United States alone.

Those statistics are alarming and we shouldn’t stand idly by while this disease ruins and takes the lives of our loved ones. While it’s true that stroke threatens millions of lives, it is preventable, treatable and beatable. The following list is a few things that everyone should know:

  • Stroke Risk increases with age, however, young adults, children and even unborn babies can suffer from a stroke. You are three times more at risk to suffer from a stroke if one of your parents had an ischemic stroke before the age of 65.
  • High Blood Pressure Is Stoke’s Number One Target, however, keeping your blood pressure under control reduces your risk and prevent stroke. Three out of four people who suffer their first stroke have high blood pressure.
  • Stroke Can Be Largely Treatable. There are blood clot-busting drugs and medical devices have made stroke largely treatable. However, every second counts, nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute a stroke goes untreated. The faster you’re treated, the more likely you’ll be able to recover without any permanent disability.
  • People Often Save Others From Stroke. By learning the signs and symptoms, you too can save someone from suffering from a stroke. F.A.S.T. is a simple way to remember sudden signs of stroke; F.A.S.T. is an acronym used to detect the strokes. F.A.S.T. stands for Face dropping, Arm Weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call 9-1-1. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know that you need to call for help right away.

American Stroke Month wants to help others by increasing their knowledge of strokes, so that they may be able to save a friend, family member or their own life one day. Make it a mission to help build a healthier life for you and the ones you love to prevent against stroke and cardiovascular diseases.

Make yourself a priority and ask Dr. Gordon Gunn, MD about his Lifestyle Longevity Program by contacting his office in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for additional information.

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

 

Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Tips | Heart Health Fullerton, CA

Heart Attack, Heart Health, Stroke, , ,

happy woman

Every year, millions of Americans suffer from a heart attack, and nearly half of those heart attacks are fatal. As for strokes, they are the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in men and women. It’s very important to know what steps you can take to prevent heart attack and stroke from occurring, it’s time to take control and get heart healthy. The following include tips you should take to heart to prevent heart attack and stroke:

  • Don’t Smoke– If you’re already a smoker, you should stop or find programs to help you quit. As you should already know, smoking is very unhealthy. Nicotine actually narrows and restricts blood vessels.
  • Exercise- You should exercise daily, or at least walk two miles a day. You don’t need to walk those two miles all at once, exercise doesn’t just burn calories. Exercise also activates genes that are very beneficial to your health.
  • Reduce Stress- Stress contributes to heart disease, and if it is severe enough it can cause a heart attack or even sudden death. Try to reduce stress by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, volunteering and laughing. Also, try to avoid stressful situations and people that make you anxious or angry.
  • Watch Your Cholesterol- Having high levels of LDL (“Bad”) cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol levels can be improved with exercise and healthy eating habits.
  • Eat Heart-Healthy- Eating a healthy well balanced diet can reduce your risk of getting heart disease. Make sure to eat your fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Take care of yourself by getting heart healthy today! For more information about heart health, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn, MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to learn more.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

What Every Women Needs to Know About Heart Attacks | Fullerton, CA

Heart Attack, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Stroke, , ,

overactive bladder, fullertonThere’s always been a debate about women and heart disease: Are their symptoms different from those of men? Ask any woman that has had a heart attack and they will tell you no. Symptoms in women who are having a heart attack are generally not that different than those experienced by men, say cardiologists.  In a heart attack, men feel heaviness in their chests, shortness of breath, nausea or other general discomfort — just the same as women do.

There’s definitely some confusion out there about the differences between men and women and heart attacks but women are more similar to men than different when it comes to their hearts. When it comes to a heart attack the most common symptom for women experiencing a heart attack is still chest pain.

It has long been believed that the story that women’s symptoms are different is a myth. Where the real difference is is how women communicate and report on heart disease. If a heart attack is not at the top of your list when it comes to the symptoms, many women generally pass off symptoms as indigestion. Women need to start realizing that this is their health and the threat is real.

How real is it, you may be thinking?  On average, every 4 minutes someone dies of a stroke or heart disease and stroke & heart disease are equal opportunity killers. The scariest fact is that the death rate from cardiovascular disease in women is on the rise. The reasons are not entirely clear, but there are suggestions that there may be a difference in the care some women receive. Women may not be treated by a cardiovascular specialist when they experience symptoms.

It’s not unusual for women to put everything before themselves and their health.  It’s deeply concerning that many women would rather complete the last five items on their to-do list than go to an emergency room when they need one the most.  In fact, it was during a recent study that it was brought to light again how women prioritize. When surveyed on their priorities the results were suprizing:

  1. Children
  2. Their homes
  3. Their workplace relationships
  4. Pets!
  5. Husbands

Women didn’t even place themselves on the list! These results make the point that while women may have symptoms that are similar to those of men, those symptoms may not be taken seriously, especially by themselves.

Contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn, M.D., a specialist in female urology and womens health. Don’t continue to suffer and make yourself a priority, call his office today for an appointment at 714-912-2211 or visit his website at www.gordongunnmd.com.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and surrounding areas.

Heart Attacks & Strokes in Women | Fullerton, CA

Heart Attack, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Stroke, , ,

Grandparent and daughterUpdated Information That Could Save Your Life

Consider this:

50% of American women die as a result of a heart attack or stroke. Heart attacks and strokes are preventable, according to new medical evidence. Many women underestimate their personal risk level. By participating in the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program you will gain an understanding of your risk, increase your awareness for heart disease, and be empowered with healthy solutions.

Be proactive! Prevent disease!

What Determines Your Risk of Having Heart Attack or Stroke?

  • Heredity: Family history is an important indicator of your future risks, especially if your father had a heart attack before the age of 45 or your mother before the age of 55.
  • Personal:  Factors that contribute to an elevated LDL, an elevated CRP-HS, and the amount of atherosclerotic plaque within your arteries (determined by vascular ultrasound)include:

-Aging, existing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, metabolic syndrome, obesity, stress, excessive alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition.

-Menopause (estrogen deficiency) raises LDL and lowers HDL. Estrogen replacement is preventative.

-Low thyroid function will increase cholesterol levels.

  • Presence of Atherosclerotic plaque within your coronary or carotid arteries, regardless of your hereditary or personal risk profile. Plaque is a disease of the arteries and can rupture at any stage and cause a potential heart attack or stroke.

Good News! All risk factors, except age, can be reduced with lifestyle changes and proper medical care.

What Causes a Heart Attack or Stroke?

  • Over 90% of heart attacks and strokes are due to plaque within the walls of arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the vital organs of the body.
  • Atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”) occurs when the immune system tries to heal the inflammation within the arterial wall. LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol is deposited within the inflamed lining. The body’s defense mechanisms attempt to reverse the process. However, during the ‘healing’ process LDL cholesterol continues to be deposited forming a plaque with a thin cap (like a cholesterol blister).
  • When the surface capsule of the cholesterol plaque ruptures, releasing cholesterol core material directly into the blood stream, a significant and sudden event occurs: a blood clot is formed causing a potentially fatal blockage of blood flow and oxygen supply.
  • If plaque rupture occurs in the coronary arteries of the heart, the result is a heart attack. If a plaque rupture occurs in the carotid arteries supplying the brain, a stroke occurs. The size and location of the resulting clot determines the severity of the attack and frequently results in death.
  • It is important to understand that plaque rupture can occur with only mild disease and not just with advanced blockage (stenosis). The presence of any amount of plaque is a diagnosis of disease. This explains the frequently heard story of the friend or neighbor that suffered a fatal heart attack the day after a normal EKG Stress Test.
  • Contact Dr. Gordon Gunn today at (714) 912-2211 to schedule an appointment.

    Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and surrounding areas.

Am I at Risk for Stroke? | Fullerton, CA

Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Stroke, ,

iStock_000014233903XSmallAccording to recent survey, 425,000 women suffer from stroke each year. Most women are unaware of the risk factors and symptoms of stroke. Dr. Gordon Gunn in Fullerton, CA encourages women’s wellness and health and wants women to be informed of the health issues they face.

How do I know that I’m at risk?

  • High blood pressure
  • Family history
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Lack of exercise
  • Being overweight

To reduce your risk of stroke you will need to make some lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking. Exercising and eating a healthier diet can help you lose weight and reduce your chances of diabetes and high cholesterol.

If you want to start reducing your risk for stroke, contact Dr. Gordon Gunn and ask about the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program. By participating in the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program you will gain an understanding of your risk, increase your awareness for heart disease, and be empowered with healthy solutions.

Contact Dr. Gordon Gunn today at (714) 912-2211 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and surrounding areas.

Wellness Solutions – Preventative medicine is the best medicine | Orange, CA

Heart Attack, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Stroke, , , ,

Branch of dogwood blossoms against a dark backgroundDr. Gordon Gunn believes preventive medicine is the best medicine. That’s why the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program was created. With a focus on prevention and early detection of disease, WOW gives you a true picture of your overall health and empowers you to live a healthier life. To supplement the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Dr. Gordon Gunn has created two additional programs to support women who are diagnosed to be at risk for heart disease, stroke or metabolic syndrome.

Contact Dr. Gordon Gunn today at (714) 912-2211 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and surrounding areas.

12-Week Healthy Heart Program – Fullerton, CA

Heart Attack, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Stroke, , , , ,

A loving grandparentThis is a structured, step-by-step program to help you meet your individual goals. As heart disease is the #1 killer of American women, a healthy heart is a priority. Research suggests that approximately 90% of deaths related to heart disease could be prevented.

You will receive an overall assessment of your current health, an outlined diet, exercise and lifestyle program and re-evaluation after the 12-week period is completed.

Make this year the healthiest ever. Call to enroll in The 12-Week Healthy Heart Program and enjoy the benefits of a healthy, happy future.

Contact Dr. Gordon Gunn today at (714) 912-2211 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and surrounding areas.

How to Assess Your Risk for Developing Heart Disease or Stroke | Anaheim, CA

Heart Attack, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Stroke, , , ,

iStock_000014235018SmallThe goal in determining your risk is to diagnose the actual presence of atherosclerosis within the arteries of your body, especially your brain, heart, abdomen and legs. Our Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program includes understanding your inherited genetic makeup (family history) as well as determining your personal lifestyle, medical history, physical examination, body fat composition, laboratory testing, carotid artery ultrasound (determines the actual presence of any atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck), and EKG. Additional testing may include a 64-Slice CT scan of the heart.

Initial screening tests include:

•Family History
•Personal Medical History
•Complete Physical Examination
•Current Status of: Smoking, Alcohol Intake, Physical Activity, Medications
•Blood Pressure
•Pulse (to detect any irregularity of the heart rate)
•Resting EKG
•Body Mass Index (BMI)
•BodyStat Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) of fat and lean body mass composition
•Waist / Hip Circumference Ratio
• Laboratory Testing:
•Fasting Lipoprotein Profile (Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides)
•Cardiovascular Risk Markers (CRP-HS)
•Metabolic Profile for Diabetes, Liver, Kidney, Bone and Electrolytes
•Thyroid Function
•Complete Blood Count (CBC)
•Carotid Artery Ultrasound Screening for atherosclerosis and Stroke Risk
•Echo and Stress Echocardiograms, when indicated
•Holter Monitoring for evaluation of irregular heartbeat, when indicated

Initial screening tests should be performed at the age of 18 and be repeated at least every two to five years, depending on age and test results. By implementing lifestyle changes and indicated medical treatments now available, the future risk of coronary artery disease and stroke due to atherosclerosis can be significantly reduced and probably prevented.

Learn more about your health and opportunities for prevention of this disease by contacting Dr. Gordon Gunn today at (714) 912-2211 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Fullerton, Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and surrounding areas.