ASK THE DOCTOR
Submit a question to Sarah M. Speck M.D.
and have it answered here. Knowledge is power!
Reversing Risk Factors
QUESTION:
My doctor says that losing some weight and exercising more will reduce or possibly even reverse some of the risk factors I have. There’s so many ways to exercise! How do I best spend my time to get these benefits?
ANSWER:
Being overweight and small amounts of physical activity can add up to big problems over the years. Research has shown increased occurrences of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include, but aren’t limited to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased risk for developing type two diabetes, coronary artery disease, and other preventable diseases. Prolonged regular lower intensity cardiovascular exercise has been shown to be the best option for most people to reduce cholesterol,
Low Intensity Exercise
QUESTION:
Some people tell me low intensity exercise burns more fat, but others say high intensity does? What burns more fat calories? What should I do?
ANSWER:
This is a tricky question that we get asked quite often, and to keep things short the best answer would be they both do! The truth is that the rate of fat burning differs during exercise and after exercise for these training modes. Research has shown that low intensity exercise burns more fat calories during exercise, and high intensity exercise burns more fat after training. Deciding which method is best for you depends on what your goals are, and what you are willing to commit to doing with your
3D Analysis
QUESTION:
I have had bad knee pain for over 6 months. I have been going to a physical therapist but the rehab exercises don’t seem to be helping. Are there any alternatives for what I am already doing?
ANSWER:
There is an alternative!. A 3-dimensional analysis gives us the ability to look at many different parts of the body and how they are interacting together from as narrow of a spectrum or as broad of a spectrum as we need. 3-dimensional analysis can be done using any mode of movement or exercise desired (running, walking, cycling, rowing, etc.) and allow us to look at those movements from any angle necessary. Incorporated into the analysis can be other tools such as force plates for ground reaction
Barefoot Running
QUESTION:
Everyone keeps talking about barefoot running. I have heard opinions on both sides of the argument that make sense to me. Should I start barefoot running?
ANSWER:
Barefoot running is a very hot topic right now in the world of running. Before anyone decides to make a drastic change such as going from a basic running shoe to barefoot or “minimalist” running shoe, there are many factors that need to be considered before making that decision.
The first, and probably most important aspect to factor in, is the biomechanics surrounding your foot. Everyone’s foot falls somewhere on the spectrum between high arches (pes cavus), and flat feet (pes planus). Depending
What are triglycerides?
QUESTION:
What are triglycerides? My doctor says mine are elevated and that I am at risk for heart disease and diabetes? Can you explain that? What can I do about that?
ANSWER:
Triglycerides are a product of how we metabolize our food. Triglycerides can be used as fuel for our bodies needs or stored in fat cells. High triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease especially in women, High triglyceride levels are most often found in overweight men and women who have an increased waist measurement (>35” in women or >40” in men). These people are considered pre-diabetic as the high triglyceride levels and the central fat tissue
Men vs Women vs Heart Attacks
QUESTION:
I’ve heard that men and women can have different symptoms of a heart attack. If that’s true, what are they?
ANSWER:
Symptoms of a heart attack are caused by a portion of the heart muscle not getting enough oxygen because of a ruptured cholesterol plaque and a clot in the blood vessel supplying that part of the heart muscle. Within 20 minutes of the onset of symptoms, there is irreversible damage to the heart muscle. For all of us, recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack and getting the right treatment right away means survival.
For both men and women the classic symptoms of a heart attack are pain or pressure
Statins and Cholesterol
QUESTION:
My doctor says I should take a statin drug to lower my cholesterol, but I’d rather not take medications. Are there alternatives to treat high cholesterol?
ANSWER:
All treatment plans to improve cholesterol should start with a nutrition/eating plan and a movement/exercise prescription. Lowering LDL (lousy or bad) cholesterol reduces an individual’s risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Studies have shown that this can be accomplished without as well as with medications depending on how high your levels are to start, how low your goal level needs to be and how much “therapeutic life style change” your are able to make.
The most widely studied
Blood Pressure Medication
QUESTION:
My doctor wants me to start taking high blood pressure medication, but I’ve heard that once you start you can never stop the medication. Is that true?
ANSWER:
High blood pressure occurs frequently as we get older. Optimal blood pressure for each of us is 120/80 or lower after we’ve been seated quietly for 15 minutes. Treating high blood pressure dramatically reduces an individual’s risk for heart attacks and strokes. Treatment begins with the right nutritional plan (DASH diet), daily exercise and achieving and maintaining the proper weight range for your height. Some people do require medications also, but these can be minimized by paying attention
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Sarah M. Speck, M.D.
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