The New Year began for me with the shocking message news that I was at risk for osteoporosis. This condition is common for those in their 70s and 80s as bones become less dense, making it easier for them to break. Throughout our life old bone tissue is constantly replaced by new bone. But after the age of about 30, the rate of turnover changes with more bone dissolving than being produced. For women, in particular, bone is lost more quickly after menopause.

But with this chronic condition as with others, such as diabetes and heart disease, I am told that if I do something, the likelihood of severe consequences from these conditions could be reduced or prevented. For example, if the diet is changed, calcium and vitamin D supplements are added, smoking and alcohol are eliminated, movement is increased, exposure to sunlight is increased and there is avoidance of long-term use of corticosteroids, bone health may be maintained in spite of the normal aging process.  So now I have to be serious about my New Year Resolutions, which often fade away during the course of the year.

Our heart is another part of our body that needs attention without waiting for the inevitable to happen.  I remember when my father, in 1961, was diagnosed with heart disease. He was told to go to bed to rest—nothing more. He died nine months later at 54.  Today the story is quite different. Not only have medical advances changed the way of treating heart disease but now there is a great deal of knowledge about what we can do to keep our heart healthy.  We now know that high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are all risk factors associated with heart disease, and a change in our behavior can reverse the course of the disease.

One such heart condition common in older people is arrhythmias. The heart rate (pulse) is either too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia) or irregular. Normally your heart is able to pump blood throughout your system without working any harder than needed. It is seen as an electrical system that contracts and expands in an orderly way. Symptoms may be very mild or severe or even life threatening, and treatments vary from medications to different types of pacemakers depending upon the kind of arrhythmia.

On Feb. 15th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr., will be a  physician-led presentation about arrhythmias. Since February is Heart Month, this presentation is part of a national heart-health awareness campaign sponsored by the National Council on Aging and Medtronic.  In addition to the presentation, Debbie Allen, actress and dancer, will make a personal appearance. Music and dancing will round out the afternoon. Lunch served at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. For information: www.JointhePaceMakers.com