I adore reading and knowing Dr Holly Andersen She is spectacular in every way…I know she knows how to spell (but if she doesn’t someone at wowowow should proofread) EXERCISE is correct! I promise not to come in for my annual checkup until I can stop smoking…but then again… Thanks for adding to my reading pleasure Fondly Ellin (Saltzman)

Thanks for reminding us about exercise, trans fats, etc…

No matter what else you ever do for yourself, take care of your heart. A crippled heart, riddled with bypasses and stents, with withered arteries suffering from arteriosclerosis, is like wearing a noose around your neck.

Was driving along today and this ad came on the radio for some sort of exercise equipment, they said that studies show exercise reduces chance of death by 50%. I think they better redo this a little or they will get sued for false advertising. While I know it is good for you I never saw anyone live forever because they exercised.

Dr. Holly, I don’t understand the correlation between a woman of normal weight being diagnosed with hypertension. I always believe that was a condition reserved specifically for the grossly obese.

Dr. A. Thanks for answering my post. Yes, I am receiving excellent care…in fact, from doctors who are members of a heart facility which is ranked in the top 4% in the nation…and I believe at one time had the 12th best survival rate in the nation. Excellent doctors and heart facilities. Yes I am well taken care of, but that doesn’t make me feel 100% well. Of course none of us know when it’s time for us to meet our maker, but I still feel having tremendously severe heart problems is like a noose around the neck. My equally endowed brother feels the same way as I and so do two of my best friends who have similar conditions. All of us have severe problems. I would ask if you have severe heart problems? I remember when my male obstetrician told me that having a baby wouldn’t hurt. I call that “text book learning”. How could he know how I was going to feel and if it would hurt. That’s why I asked if you have heart problems? P. S. I also have other medical problems which are just as severe….but the hardening of the arteries and the congestive heart failure are the most severe. Thanks for doing these series of articles. People need to take care of their heart…eat right…exercise…NO SMOKING….and attempt to stay away from stress in these days of economic turmoil. (Believe me, I am one heck of a low fat, low sodium cook!) And, I do remain happy and alive and look forward to each morning’s mug shot in the mirror. HA HA

For years now, I use a scant amount of salt in the boiling water, but I do most of my seasoning with lemon juice and the herbs that I grow. And, it makes for a much more interesting flavor anyway. I am always amazed at people who pick up the salt and pepper shakers before they even taste their food. They are missing the essence and complex flavors of the various foods working together.