January 6th, 2011
Champaign, IL

“Heart disease is the number 1 killer of both men and women.  Eliminating risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity are all within a person’s control.  My goal is to help patients reduce their risk factors through a healthy diet and exercise.”–Cheryl Mangers, FNP-BC

After working with heart patients all her career, Christie Clinic’s nurse practitioner, Cheryl Mangers, and her colleagues have developed a program at Christie Clinic to help people recognize and prevent heart disease before needing interventions for treatment of coronary artery disease.  The program, Caring For Your Heart, assists patients individually in adapting a life style that lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, helps them quit smoking and reach a healthy weight. 

From such a great program comes a great success story –

Lisa White, a medical assistant in Christie Clinic’s department of Ob/Gyn, and her husband, Ken White, have lost a combined total of 225 lbs. since April.  They’ve been able to do this with guidance from nurse practitioner, Cheryl Mangers, in the Caring For Your Heart program at Christie Clinic.

As a patient waiting for an appointment at Christie Clinic, Ken noticed an advertisement on the wall for Caring For Your Heart and decided to get involved.  At that time, he was close to 400 lbs. and couldn’t reach his shoelaces to tie them. 

At the beginning, Cheryl gave Ken simple goals such as walking ten minutes a day and minimizing his daily soda intake to one can.  After his first follow-up appointment, Ken discovered his efforts were working and this was something he could stick to. He began journaling everything he ate each day, cutting out soda all together, and increasing his walking time. Cheryl and Ken continued to focus on his diet, exercise, and blood pressure at their monthly meetings to help him on his path.

It wasn’t long before Ken’s wife, Lisa, got involved. Both say their interest in becoming healthier sparked from their desire to be more active, to have more energy throughout the day, and to spend more time with their four children.  The couple began walking together nightly and completely changed their entire meal plan. Now, they plan their menu every weekend for the upcoming week, and each night’s leftovers are the next day’s lunch. They also say having each other for support and accountability has been really helpful in reaching their goals.

Caring For Your Heart has shown this couple, along with many other participants, that they can still enjoy what they eat without depriving themselves. Ken and Lisa admit they both eat carbs, the occasional chocolate, or even a jelly-filled donut, but the key is moderation.

“If you’re constantly telling yourself you can’t have something, you’re going to want it. It’s a psychological thing.” says Ken. “But if you tell yourself its okay to have it every once in awhile, then you’re less likely to want it as badly.”

Ken and Lisa's Results

Ken went from barely being mobile, to participating in his son’s wrestling team’s practices. Since April, he has lost 140 lbs.

Lisa is thrilled that her son can now wrap his arms all the way around her when he hugs her.  Since April, she has lost 85 lbs.

This couple had a remarkable experience with Caring For Your Heart.  Without any diets or supplements, Caring For Your Heart helped lead them in the right direction towards a healthier and happier lifestyle they still continue today.

The Caring For Your Heart participants understand that preventing heart disease is a total lifestyle choice, not just a diet.  The Caring For Your Heart team focuses on lowering the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke and diabetes by helping each individual set goals to achieve happier and healthier lives.

Ken & Lisa White, fall 2009.            

Ken & Lisa White, fall 2010.

Tags: cardiology, heart, caring for your heart, high blood pressure, cheryl mangers, obesity, exercise, exercise goals, high cholesterol