John Jones

Stroke and Heart Surgery

johnjones — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:11:59 +0000

I was “heartened” recently by a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association saying that fewer patients are suffering strokes following coronary artery bypass graft surgeries. That is good news. Too many guys become candidates for such surgeries as they age. The JAMA-reported study tracked 45,000 patients over three decades who had heart

1,000 Steps Per Diem

johnjones — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:16:05 +0000

‘The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” – Lao-Tsu Lao-Tsu, the 6th century B.C. Chinese sage, was right, of course. More right than you’d think. Any man’s journey to better health begins with the journey of about 10,000 steps (two miles) per day, Australian researchers recently reported. In a scientific study looking

Life Resolutions

johnjones — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:18:59 +0000

I was intrigued this week by a Wall Street Journal article discussing New Year’s resolutions — not just making them, but making them stick. The Journal reported that the Big Four of New Year’s resolutions deal with two W’s (waistline and wallet) and two H’s (head and heart). As a long-time devotee of New Year’s

Gateway to Healthy

johnjones — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:23:09 +0000

‘Half of life is just showing up.” – Woody Allen It’s wintertime, and the excuses to dodge exercise and healthy living are many. You tell yourself: “It’s too cold to work out.” You bleat: “I’m too tired, and it gets dark early.” You rationalize: “Who’s going to eat healthy and give up snacks when the

Christmas Blessings

johnjones — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:25:34 +0000

I am marking a personal milestone this weekend. And I’m giving thanks. Saturday marks my fifth Christmas Day since surviving an aortic dissection and stroke. That’s a big anniversary for me. Hey . . . every single day is a big anniversary for anyone who survives an aortic dissection. That’s because the mortality rate from

Holiday Binge Drinking

johnjones — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:00:23 +0000

The holiday season is full upon us . . . to which a lot of guys say: “I’ll drink to that!” Having a holiday nip or two comes naturally to guys celebrating at office parties, family gatherings . . . just about anywhere and anytime good cheer is being poured. If you’re one of those

Multitasking Illusion

johnjones — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:05:38 +0000

Before I suffered a stroke several years ago, I saw myself as a world class “multitasker.” Maybe you see yourself that way, too. Plenty of bulletproof executives do. They rise in management ranks based on perceived “multitasking” skills — the ability to simultaneously manage people, projects, and work flow to achieve a desired outcome on

Forewarned, Forearmed

johnjones — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:07:30 +0000

High blood pressure is a serious threat to men’s health that can cause stroke, heart attack or heart failure. Yet, because it’s a silent, often overlooked threat, high blood pressure can sneak up on a guy without much warning. But, that may be changing because men are becoming more aware of high blood pressure and

Immune System Wintry Boost

johnjones — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:42:20 +0000

I was out wakling a quiet, wooded trail last weekend, soaking in the crisp air and dappled sublight peaking through the tree branches above me. I was greeted by the calming voice of a brook dancing lightly across a rocky streambed nearby. I’ll carry that moment with me through the coming winter long after chilly

NYC Marathon Memories

johnjones — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:04:25 +0000

The New York City Marathon is set for Sunday, which triggers for me a flood of memories recalling my own 26.2-mile odyssey through the city’s five boroughs on a painfully swollen knee. I ran the NYC Marathon just once. My 1979 race became a 5-plus hour slog achingly impeded by tendonitis in my left knee.