LiveWorld Transcripts

Proctor & Gamble presents

Dr. Hernan Casanovas
Chloraseptics’s Health and Wellness Series

February 25, 1999

As part of Chloraseptics’s Health and Wellness Series, Dr. Hernan Casanovas answers questions about how to maintain good health.

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Chloraseptic: Chloraseptic(tm) and Talk City are pleased to welcome you this evening to an interview with Dr. Hernan Casanovas. Dr. Casanovas lives in San Jose, CA and has been practicing general Internal Medicine for the last 20 years. Dr.Casanovas is here to host Chloraseptic's Health and Wellness Series. These discussions will focus on answering questions about how to maintain good health in your everyday life and first aid around the home. The following is presented in context of general information. Please contact your physician should you have any additional questions. And now without further ado, welcome Dr. Casanovas!

Dr. Casanovas: Hello, I am very happy to be your host tonight. If you have any questions, feel free to go ahead.

Chloraseptic: Welcome to Talk City Dr. Casanovas! Could you tell us a bit about your medical practice and what is the most common piece of advice you give patients on how to maintain "wellness"?

Dr. Casanovas: The main thing to stay well is to keep active, and have healthy habits. Try to exercise as much as you can as often as you can. Know your family history to know what things you may need to discuss with your Doctor.

Worrywart: Are the high blood pressure tests that you can take at home accurate?

Dr. Casanovas: This is a good point. There have been some studies done about them. Recommendations are NOT to buy the wrist types, because they are inaccurate, but the arm style cuffs are fairly accurate. I bought one of those, and tested it against mine, and it was quite close in accuracy, but if you need one, it may be a good idea to have one at home.

Vegan: What are some ways to lower your blood pressure with over the counter drugs or healthy eating?

Dr. Casanovas: Unfortunately, no medications over the counter will lower your blood pressure. As for eating, avoid high cholesterol foods, salt, and canned foods, due to their salt content. Best thing is to read labels, and keep salt intake reduced. It has been proven that this increased salt intake is not necessary. Walking three times a week is good for cardiovascular health.

Sallyanne: My mother is 61 and has high blood pressure. She is on medication but I still worry about her. What else should she be doing to keep her blood pressure down beside just taking the medication?

Dr. Casanovas: Depends on her medical history, what kind of medication, and her response to it. Avoid stress, salt, and foods high in salt content. If she is doing ok with the medication, that is the most important thing, although any other risk factors could have an affect, but her physician should be taking that into account.

Deliriousdolores: Do certain foods have more cholesterol in them than others?

Dr. Casanovas: Some do. Red meat is high, due to processing (they add fat for appeal). Also nuts and avocados are high naturally in cholesterol. Fried foods, of course, are also not good. Be sure to use unsaturated oil if you do partake of these.

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