MEET CATHY HARRISON

Q:

Do you think Latino women have fitness and/or nutritional challenges to their heart health that are unique to the Latino community?

A:

Yes, I do think Latino women have fitness and/or nutritional challenges to their heart health that are unique to the Latino community. The Latino woman tends to put their families and the responsibilities of their family and home prior to their own well being. The challenge is to tweak this principle. It can be argued that if we do not take care of ourselves, make our fitness, and heart health a priority, we may not be able to take care of our families and home.

Q:

Have you ever tried substituting ingredients in a typically Latino dish to make it more heart-healthy? If so, which dish and what did you substitute?
(Example: Low-fat yogurt rather than sour cream)

A:

Yes, my family refried pinto beans in bacon grease are now refried black beans in margarine. In addition, I do not fix them very much these days.

Q:

What family recipe do you love but know it’s not good for your health? Is there a way to make it healthier?

A:

I love white flour tortillas and refried pinto beans. The flour tortillas made with lard and the refried pinto beans refried in bacon grease. I know…lard and bacon grease. It doesn’t even sound good and in these modern times the calories and fat content just scream at you off the page. Still, the combination of the two is so good and so not good for you. In order to make these recipes better for you, I will use wheat flour and substitute margarine for the lard. I have changed the refried pinto beans in bacon grease, by using black beans and refrying them in margarine as well. It is so difficult to duplicate the taste of white flour tortillas and refried pinto beans in bacon grease. However, it is not a matter of the taste; it is the importance of the caloric and fat intake.

Q:

Do you think there’s a strong awareness among Latino women about the seriousness of heart risks? How do you think your generation is more informed about heart health than your mother’s generation?

A:

I do not believe there is a strong awareness among Latino women about the seriousness of heart risks. Furthermore, I have not encountered many role models or resources that address the heart health of a Latino woman. I do believe my generation is more informed about heart health than my mother’s generation, but only by default. There has been attention to heart health, but to the population in general. There is still so much to be done to raise awareness in the Latino community.

Q:

How did you find out that your heart health might be in jeopardy? What were you told? Did you have any symptoms?

A:

I had no idea that I had a heart condition. I spent most of my adult life exercising regularly and eating balanced meals. I was aware of my heart health and did what I could to take care of myself. However, one day during a bike ride I went into ventricular tachycardia. I had no idea that I was in a dangerous heart arrhythmia. I knew what to do to take of my heart, but I was ignorant to the symptoms of any sort of heart condition. My heart was beating 215/220 beats per minute consistently, but still I had no clue. I had a little shortness of breath, but I attributed it to my bike ride.

At the urging of my husband, I went to minor emergency and that is where I was told that I was in v-tach, a very dangerous arrhythmia of the heart. A trip to St. Luke’s Hospital and a 10 day stay. In the hospital, I was informed that I had cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction rate of 35%. However, because I had taken care of myself…exercising regularly and eating right…the outcome could have been much worse. One of my doctors told me he sees patients with similar heart conditions exhibiting symptoms that are more pronounced. Nevertheless, because the rest of my body was in good condition, there were no other major health issues that would also have to be addressed.
On the seventh day in the hospital, I had surgery. The doctors decided that I needed an implanted cardiac defibrillator to help control the dangerous arrhythmias that were sure to occur.

In addition to regular daily medications, I have continued to lead a normal life.

Q:

What’s the most important change you’ve made to your lifestyle to help keep your heart strong and healthy?

A:

I am so adamant about my exercise and my nutrition. I can no longer take the long bike rides as I used to, but I keep getting on my bike. I have added weight workouts and make exercise a priority. For lack of a better analogy, I must keep this vessel strong. It carries a very precious, although slightly imperfect, cargo.

Q:

Latino families are known for being so close knit and often extended. How do you find time for family, work, and fitness? And what is your fitness routine?

A:

I make the time. I make lists and I plan. Of course, there are times when I have to adjust my schedule, but I am able to adjust. Being flexible makes life so much easier.

I exercise first thing in the morning. Two to three days a week I take a spin class and two days I workout with weights. I ride my bike outdoors during the weekends.

Q:

Do you know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels? How regularly to you have those checked?

A:

Yes, I know my numbers. I have blood tests done on a yearly basis and I have always had low cholesterol numbers. My blood pressure is taken every three months when I visit my doctor and I also have a blood pressure machine at home. I will usually take my blood pressure at home when I am not feeling quite right.

Q:

What advice would you give your mom, sister or best friend to help them avoid having heart problems?

A:

Eat right, eat right, eat right, and exercise at least 30 minutes a day. I do not think people realize how important one’s diet is. Not only what you eat, but how much you eat. Portion control is also so important. Yes, you have some Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream (my favorite)…but don’t eat the whole pint on one sitting.

Q:

Who do you Go Red for?

A:

I Go Red for all the Hispanic and Latino women that are challenged by heart disease and I Go Red for me.