Being active key to good health

BY BILL BRADLEY

The couple who run the Riverside Cardiac Clinic practise what they preach.

They take care of their bodies by leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

"My husband, Clyde, a cardiologist, and I both believe that people need to take more responsibility for their health," said Karen Hourtovenko, a nurse practitioner.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in Canada. The Sudbury district has a 35.6 per cent higher death rate from heart disease that the rest of the province, according to recent statistics from the Sudbury and District Health Unit.
"Everything we do as a family is active," said Karen.

"My husband closes the clinic at noon and he runs every day, from five kilometres up to 10 kilometres. Our kids, aged seven, nine and 11, run with us. They take karate, swim and canoe lessons.

"If the kids want fast food they go to the Subway and pick up a salad. They do not go to a hamburger place."

According to Karen's husband, Dr. Clyde Hourtovenko, stress is a big problem for most people.

"Reduce stress. Get away from the workplace at noon. Otherwise, why not simplify your life? Enjoy our northern landscape at the lake or in the bush. Exercise and focus on a good personal support system - good friends and family."

The couple espouse a philosophy of preventive health.

"We need to develop a new emphasis on taking care of ourselves rather than solely relying on the health care system," said Karen.

"It is the patient that often brings on the fire, leading to disease. We need to change that attitude. We need to change our lifestyles."

Those who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes or heart disease, are apple shaped, bigger in the abdomen, suffer from mood swings from low sugar, are constantly tired, drink more than six cups of coffee a day or suffer from high blood pressure or depression, are at risk of serious health problems, she said.

She invites those at risk to call Riverside Clinic for a consultation. A program can be designed to give you more energy, enhance mental concentration and reduce risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

This fall the clinic is relocating from its current location to 2147 Armstrong Street in the South End.

"We want to expand Dr. Hourtovenko's facility. He has outgrown his Riverside location," said Karen. "If he had more room, he could bring in another physician. That would lead to better patient care."

They already have a specialist in internal medicine, originally from Chelmsford, interested in returning to the city.

"She has just finished her internal medicine requirements at the University of Ottawa," said Clyde.

Clyde is originally from Minnow Lake. One reason he chose to practise in Greater Sudbury is the quality of life afforded here.

"I love the outdoors. I live on a lake. I get to canoe and swim there with my children. That is also a good way to market this community to lure other physicians from the bigger cities. They do not have what we have here in terms of the outdoors. That, and the growing cultural scene, is the way to attract physicians here."