FINANCIAL ADVICE

THROB member Mike Perry is an adviser with a firm of independent financial advisers - Park Row Associates. Park Row Associates is one of the companies chosen by the British Heart Foundation to provide products as part of their 'Insurance solutions for people with medical conditions' package. Mike explains here just one area you may need to consider, that of generating an additional income.

Generating an additional income

If you've had to give up work or change your job, an additional income may be important to you. We can help some sufferers in this situation, especially if you are over 50 and have a personal pension scheme, or if you have assets such as a house or investments. Under current pensions legislation, accumulated funds need to be used by an individual to buy their 'pension' between the ages of 50 and 75 (the 'retirement' age). In this way, someone over the age of 50 can often elect to 'retire' from a pension scheme and start receiving an income. In actual fact, they use their pension fund to buy an annuity. This annuity then provides them with a regular income, which many people refer to as their pension. On retirement, a person has a right to exercise the 'open market option' to buy an annuity from any annuity provider, not just the company who ran or invested his or her pension scheme.

What is an annuity?

An annuity is an investment product. In general terms, an individual exchanges his or her lump sum with an annuity provider (typically a life assurance company) for a guaranteed regular income either for an agreed period or more normally for the rest of his or her life. The most common use of an annuity is when someone retires with a personal pension. He or she is obliged by law to purchase an annuity with their pension fund. As a result of the way that annuities are designed, individuals with a heart condition receive an enhanced income from their annuity provider.

Who are Park Row Associates?

Park Row Associates is one of the country's leading and fastest growing firms of IFAs (Independent Financial Advisers). The company provides face-to-face independent advice on a wide range of financial services, including mortgages, pensions, savings,

investments and protection. If you would like to discuss any areas of financial planning with Mike, then please contact him in the first instance on 07710 178082 or e-mail michael.perry@parkrow.co.uk Park Row Associates Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

RELAXATION

The subject of stress has crept higher up the health agenda in recent years and has been linked with illnesses ranging from Arthritis to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Yeast Infections. Stress linked to coronary heart disease has been a matter for debate since the 1960's along with the more research-friendly risk factors such as smoking and diet. Stress affects us all in one way or another even those of us who are retired still have to deal with shopping queues, parking problems and traffic jams. So it is not surprising that many health professionals are spending increasing amounts of time advising on the benefits of relaxation to combat the effects of stressful lifestyles.

There are numerous health benefits that accrue with regular relaxation. Blood pressure reduction, the easing of pain, increased immunity to infection, better sleep patterns, reduction in memory problems and of course, relaxation generally enables us to feel better about ourselves.

So what do we mean by relaxation? Well it is certainly more than simply sitting down in front of the TV or reading a book although these activities can be relaxing in their own way. Effective relaxation is the achievement of a period of complete peace and calm and this is usually acquired through a learned technique. The key is often finding what kind of relaxation suits you best and will achieve that state of absolute peace and clarity but without a feeling of sleepiness.

There are many kinds of relaxation techniques from simple breathing exercises to more complicated systems of meditation or yoga. Listening to relaxation tapes, or having a Reflexology, Aromatherapy or massage session can also be very effective. The trick is to try a few things and see what works for you. There is plenty of information around to get you started and you can find out about different methods from the Internet, from books, your local Library or Leisure Centre, and even your doctor's surgery. Anything you try should be given at least a two-week trial period as the benefits are unlikely to be apparent in less time. Below are just a few of the more popular techniques and a short description about each

Breathing exercises

Everyday tensions cause us to take shallow breaths and this becomes a habit. Using our lungs to their fullest capacity by breathing deeply conserves energy and induces relaxation. To practice you need to find a comfortable upright sitting position or lie flat. Place a hand on the upper chest and the other on the abdomen. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth slowly ensuring that there in minimal movement in the upper chest and expansion in the abdomen (diaphragm). Ten minutes of this every day and you'll be a new person.

Guided Imagery

This method involves either buying a ready-made tape or CD (or recording your own). As the tape plays it guides your mind into an imagined peaceful scenario much like a waking dream. Attention is focused on what is happening in this "inner world" and the world outside is temporarily forgotten.

Distraction

This is the old "counting sheep" method and is useful if you have to undergo an unpleasant or painful procedure or if your mind won't let go of a pressing problem. Focus the mind on something repetitive or challenging (such as naming all the States in America). This will calm the mind and may be so boring that you fall asleep.

Mindful Mediation

This method focuses the mind down onto one simple task or action. It is useful as it can be done anywhere anytime. Examples are … walking and remaining aware of every single step and how it feels to contact the ground beneath…peeling potatoes and concentrating on the task in hand, how the peel comes away, colours and textures of the potatoes and so on. This method is all about staying in the moment and bringing the mind back to the task if the mind wanders. It gets easier with practice and is an effective relaxation technique.

Massage

Massage is popular nowadays and can be experienced simply by booking a session at your local leisure centre!! It is delightfully relaxing, easing out knots of tension and releasing anxieties you didn't even know you had. Most masseurs now use aromatherapy oils to enhance both the pleasure and the effectiveness of the treatment and you'll be amazed at how light and "floaty" you can feel after a massage. The same applies to Reflexology which is a specialised massage of the feet - with areas of the foot corresponding the various organs and systems on the body. Both these treatments are simply delightful.

The list of other relaxation methods is long and space prevents me from describing all of them but they could include, tai chi, flotation tanks, yoga, many kinds of complimentary therapies. So now that you are armed with all this information on relaxation there's no excuse for being overly "uptight"!!

Lesley Richards

NATIONAL HEART RESEARCH FUND

We have been contacted by the National Heart Research Fund who are looking for people with an interest in heart health, lifestyle or medical research who would be willing to give up to three hours per month to read through applications for research and healthy lifestyles grants and comment on them. Each year Heart Research receives a large number of applications for funding from medical researchers and community groups across the country. To help with the decision making process Heart Research has set up a panel of non-specialists from the general public to help it to prioritise these applications and is now looking for people to join the growing panel. Panel members will be required to read up to six application summaries per month, to give each a priority rating and to make comments about the importance of each project and whether it should be funded by the Charity. The lay panel provides the first stage of the decision making process. Their decisions are then reviewed by internal panels to provide recommendations to the Charity's Board of Trustees. If you are interested or would like further information you can contact Ros Jenkins directly on 0113 234 7474 or email mail@heartresearch.org.uk If you are going to participate in this worthwhile venture then please let me know so that we may be aware of THROB members involvement.

David Read

HEART RISK IGNORED BY WOMEN…..

....so read the headline in the paper. Women are ignoring the risk of heart disease although they are four times more likely to die from it than breast cancer. A survey of General Practitioners showed that threequarters of them said the incidence of heart disease would fall if they had time to discuss it with patients. A third of the GPs questioned were more concerned about breast cancer. When women over the age of 45 were asked about heart disease, three quarters of them said they never asked their GPs about it and a third did not think they were at risk. The Doctor Patient Partnership, a health promotion charity, published a booklet recently entitled "Ask about your heart" and urged people to think beyond the stereotype heart patient as a middle-aged, overweight man. After the menopause women's risk of heart disease is similar to that of men - one woman in six dies of it every year. It is interesting to note that in the recent publicity about HRT and breast cancer, it was not mentioned when trying to put the problem into perspective, that heart disease is by far the bigger risk to women.

Copies of the booklet can be obtained by contacting the charity on 0207 383 6715 and more information is available on their website, www.dpp.org.uk.

David Read

MUSCLES

(Over the last year I have covered several muscle groups starting with the lower leg muscles, working up to the muscles in the trunk. This article will backtrack and explain a very important muscle in the leg.)

7. TIBIALIS ANTERIOR

Where is my Tibialis anterior muscle?

The Tibialis anterior originates from the lateral aspect of the Tibia (side of the shinbone) and inserts in to the first Metatarsal and medial Cuneiform bones (bones of the feet).

What is the action of my Tibialis anterior muscle?

Activation of the Tibialis anterior causes flexion of the ankle resulting in the top of the foot moving toward the body.

What happens when my Tibialis anterior muscle becomes weak?

Before I talk about the effects of a weak Tibialis anterior muscle, I would like to highlight the importance to which the muscle plays in human locomotion. During walking the first part of the foot to make contact with the ground is the heel, this occurs as a result of the Tibialis anterior muscle contracting and pulling the toes towards the body. However, a weak Tibialis anterior muscle causes the toes to make contact with the ground first resulting in the person to trip or fall.

How can I strengthen my Tibialis anterior muscle?

Position your heels on a forward edge of a platform. Remembering to grasp a support with your hands for balance, pull the forefoot of both feet up toward body as far as possible. Return by extending feet until toes are pointed downward. Repeat 10 to 15 times Keep knees and hips straight throughout exercise. The exercise can be made more difficult by positioning heels closer to the edge of the platform.

How can I stretch my Tibialis anterior muscle?

Sit on chair or bench and cross lower leg over thigh of opposite leg. Place one hand above ankle and the other hand on top of your foot. Pull your forefoot to extend the ankle joint. Hold stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat with opposite side.

Tim Grove

(Please note, before performing any exercise at home it is recommended that you seek the advice of an exercise professional)

HEALTHY WALKS

For many, walking is already one of the ways in which our lifestyles have been changed and there is no need to emphasise to THROB members its advantages. However, for some there is much more fun to be found in doing it in a group. In the Slough area there are now several groups who meet regularly for walks. These groups are part of the Healthy Walks inititiative organised by the British Heart Foundation in conjunction with the Countryside Agency. They were set up by Fenella Munt with funds from the Countyside Agency and have now been taken over by the Slough Parks Department. All walks are supervised by a qualified volunteer walk leader and there are walks along the Jubilee River every 2nd and 4th Monday at 10.00am and in Black Park every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 10.00am. It is believed that there are also other regular outings within the Slough Parks. If anyone is interested, further information can be obtained from Roger Mills of THROB on 01344 622855 or from Fenella Munt on 01753 875509. If you live in the Bracknell area similar walks are organised by ACTIVATE, a scheme run by Bracknell Forest District Council. These are probably funded in the same way but we can't be sure. Just ring Sarah Davidson on 01344 482255 and have a chat. She will tell you all about the walks she leads in the area with the details of day, time and meeting point.

RM & DR

ANOTHER TRUE STORY

I received a scary story for this quarter's THROBNews. Ian Leno, one of Rashpal's Burnham class members sent me an old newspaper cutting which describes his ordeal in an Avro Avian bi-plane while completing the last of the requirements to gain a Private Pilot's Licence. He was flying solo on a triangular route from Denham Aerodrome to the south coast with a stop in Portsmouth, then on to Woodley for a second stop and finally back to Denham. All went smoothly until the last leg of the trip. The weather had been hazy all through the day - a typical November day in fact - and started to deteriorate quite rapidly in the afternoon with visibility reducing by the minute. So bad was it at Denham that Ian's authorising officer phoned Woodley to stop him taking off - alas too late! As the visibility worsened the last landmark he could make out was the Swimming Pool at Burnham Beeches (now long gone). He had a stark choice, go on or return to Woodley. Since he knew the area around Denham quite well and he was almost there, he decided to go on. He was forced to keep low in order to spot landmarks and moreover, to keep well below aircraft coming out of Northolt. It is easy to imagine his relief when he spotted the dome of St. Jame's Church - the Good Lord must have been watching over him that day. From there he knew he was on the right track and could descend over the A40 guided by the lights of the Service Station and turn to follow the North Orbital Road to Denham airfield. There was no question of flying a circuit to check out the field, he went straight in and landed through the mist - one very thankful pilot. It could have been a heart-stopping experience but it was over forty years later that Ian had to have a triple bypass.........

DR

THE MARATHON MAN

I had a great admiration for athletes and runners, but never thought I would ever run a mile, never mind a marathon! Well it started two years ago whilst recovering in hospital from my heart valve replacement operation. I was watching the London marathon on TV, and thought to myself why can't I do this? I mentioned it to one of the nurses, and she supported me. In fact, she said she will run with me…she has since gone back to Australia! A couple of days later I asked my Cardiologist. His reply was that there is no reason why I can't in due course. The seed was sown firmly in my mind!

The challenge was greater than I thought. I was no where up to it the first year. I started running in June 2002. The 10 km Richmond Park fun run in September, the half marathon runs in Jersey in November and in Wokingham in February. The 20 mile Reading Bromley run also in February. I was getting confident. But soon after I caught the flu which stopped me running for three weeks threatening my marathon run.

After all these months of training, the great day finally arrived....and it was fantastic! The atmosphere was electrifying from start to finish. The weather was perfect, the runners colourful and full of high spirits, the mood jovial and the crowd wonderful! It was like a carnival, the music, the bands, the dancing, the singing, the claps; the camaraderie, spectators and runners shouting your name; the encouragement! Then there were the nuts, savouries, sweets, cakes, fruit, even barbecued sausages being offered by the spectators en route. The first mile was covered in under ten minutes, really exciting and with little effort! Some runners had some moving words displayed at the back of their T- shirts, e.g. I am doing it for Dad! Very moving… Others had some very imaginative outfits, e.g. Mars bar, shelter, strawberry, dragon, emu, and so on. Three quarters of the 35,000 runners were running for charities, mostly cancer related, but 300 were out for BHF.

The next ten miles were great fun. Shouts of encouragement from balconies and upper floor windows. Even people on the DLR were waving their hands. Young people alongside the road stretching their arms to make contact with your hands. I felt half of Maidenhead was there shouting my name to support me! Crossing the Tower Bridge at about the half way mark was wonderful. Fantastic views of London landmarks; the roar of people from miles away; Very uplifting….

Now we are running east along the Highway. BANG! The pain, the agony, every step felt heavy, hurtful, the legs stiff. Shall I make it? Shall I stop and have a rest. If I do, will I be able to start again? I felt my toes were bleeding, my nipples sore. My God, only just past half way! Then, shock, horror. You see the faster runners ahead of you, looking very fresh and running in the opposite direction, miles ahead of you. You are now totally demoralised. A very long way to go yet! BUT, no point in stopping, may as well keep going until you drop! At least it would be easier to explain to people why you haven't made it (a cowardly way!). I have now gone past the pain. The last few miles were superb. The crowd several deep. Plenty of banners and more shouts of encouragement. Approaching Buckingham Palace along the Embankment was fabulous. What a finale! Something I will never ever forget. You are now running faster than ever trying to overtake the so many who are limping to the finishing line. Crossing the line was fantastic. I had the energy to keep going. You are floating on air. Then you are stopped to have your electronic tag removed and be given your medal and goody bags. The agony catches up with you. The rest is history!

The organisation of the event was tremendous. Water stations at every mile, toilets every two miles, showers and orange energy drinks every five miles. The police, St. Johns Ambulance (with their Vaseline dollops on their outstretched hands at every station), the marshals, the one mile markers, the signage, all wonderful. The roads were closed for six hours. Over 780,000 bottles of water and 250,000 sachets of Lucuzade Sport drink were given away. Above all, over £150m has been raised for charities since the start of the Marathon runs in 1980.The London Flora Marathon was one of the most fabulous and yet probably one of the most crazy challenges I have ever undertaken in my life. Even Marion, (Lorna and David to a lesser extent) thought I was daft doing it. After all, who in his or her right mind would want to run 26.2 miles - hard work, sweat, aches and blisters? And on top of that, crawl to and beg people for money? What's more, spend over 100 hours preparing for it? Well I have done it, and wouldn't have missed it for the world. I must admit Marion and the children have nevertheless been very supportive, and were also fantastic on the day with their company and encouragement (kept appearing at various spots along the route). The icing on the cake for me was the outcome of the charity sponsorship. My aim was to raise £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation (plus £1,000 matching donation from Network Rail). Thanks to your generosity, I have more than doubled my target. I am really staggered. The total money given or pledged by around 200 people, together with £1,200 matching donation from Network Rail, and the tax refund that the BHF should be able to claim back as Gift Aid, should hopefully reach £4,500. Isn't this fantastic?

Would I do it again? Who knows, in 10 years' time!

Stephan