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September 25th Is World Heart Day; Theme Is 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Shape'

Posted on: Monday, 19 September 2005, 15:01 CDT

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Women who gain weight around their middles are up to four times more likely to have a heart attack than women who add pounds around their hips, buttocks and thighs, but there are practical steps they can take to reduce their risk. As the World Heart Federation declares September 25th World Heart Day, with a theme of Healthy Weight, Healthy Shape, leading author and body-shape expert Marie Savard, M.D., is available for interview to speak about the role that body shape plays in determining risk for heart disease and to provide tips for reducing that risk. She is the author of Apples & Pears: the Body Shape Solution for Weight Loss and Wellness (Atria Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster; January 2005; $24.95).

"Apple-shaped women have more visceral fat, which gathers around the internal organs and is generally more harmful to the body than subcutaneous fat, which appends itself to the buttocks and thighs. Visceral fat creates a physical environment that is primed for heart disease and stroke. The more abdominal fat a woman has -- the greater her waist is in proportion to her hips -- the more dangerous the situation becomes," said Dr. Savard. "A tape measure can be the most powerful tool a woman and her doctor have to identify the woman's risk of heart disease and to begin taking appropriate preventive steps."

According to Dr. Savard, tips for apple-shaped women include: -- Long-Term Weight-Loss Goal: Lose two inches off your waist. -- Diet Strategy: Eat complex carbohydrates and only healthy fat and protein; avoid all white flour foods and sugar. -- Best Diet Supplement: Psyllium fiber. -- Best Exercise: Walk 30 minutes every day to burn apple-zone fat. -- Menopause Guidance: Avoid hormone therapy or use the patch. -- Important Medical Tests: Blood Pressure, LDL and HDL Cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose.

Apples & Pears author Dr. Marie Savard is a nationally-known internist, women's health expert and advocate for patients' rights. She is the award-winning author of How to Save Your Own Life and the creator of The Savard Health Record. She lives in Philadelphia. Co-author Carol Svec is a seasoned health writer and the author of three books. More information is available at http://www.applesandpears.org/.

CONTACT: Eileen Savard Mackison Eileen@drsavard.com 717-747-0936

Dr. Marie Savard, M.D.

CONTACT: Eileen Savard Mackison, +1-717-747-0936, orEileen@drsavard.com

Web site: http://www.applesandpears.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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