By Nicole MOORE

On Feb. 23, Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital celebrated select members of its Cardiac Fitness Center during the 22nd Annual King & Queen of Hearts event. Honored were Suzy Zavala who was crowned junior queen, Joe Selph, crowned junior king, Karo Avanessian honored as senior king and Anik Narinians was recognized as senior queen. Ludmila Gibbons was presented with the Young at Heart Award.

Michelle Galanti, manager of Glendale Memorial’s Cardiac Fitness and Non-Invasive Cardiology Center, said the cardiac fitness staff chose the 2017 kings and queens based on the amount of progress each had made during their time at the fitness center and their overall attitude. Galanti noted each member of the King and Queen of Hearts court has suffered major cardiovascular distress but were all on the road to full recovery.

During the event, held on the second floor of the hospital, attendees were invited to take part in free health screenings, including blood pressure tests, body fat measurements and blood glucose testing as well as grip strength tests. The screenings were performed by Glendale Community College nursing students.

Dr. Matthew S. Tenser, who specializes in vascular neurology, and Dr. Armin Kiankhooy, who specializes in thoracic surgery, were guest lecturers for the event.

Tenser explained ways to reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiac episodes, saying it is best to abstain from smoking and excessive drinking and to limit the intake of high sodium foods. Additionally, exercising four to five times a week is shown to prevent cardiovascular distress.

“There are 800,000 strokes a year and 1.3 to 1.5 million cerebral vascular events per year. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the number one cause of disability,” Tenser told the audience. “It is usually very sudden and you can have no symptoms before the event occurs … This is why we care about getting so aggressive about stroke prevention.”

Kiankhooy showed the audience a video of a surgical procedure called “the maze,” which he performed years prior. Afterward doctors held a Q&A session to answer specific questions.

Subsequent to the lectures, staff members of the Cardiac Fitness Center presented the King and Queen of Heart court members T-shirts, crowns, stuffed animals and a bottle of red wine. Each honoree walked to the podium and shared a little about their wellness journey at the fitness center.

Zavala, a kindergarten teacher and avid motorcycle rider, cited her heart attack as a life-changing event.

“[The heart attack] was a wake up call for me. It really prompted me to look at things that were important. [Being younger] I thought I still had time to work out but stresses of life can get to us,” said Zavala.

Junior King Joe Selph shared a similar testament.

“I don’t smoke, I’m not overweight, I don’t have high blood pressure or high cholesterol … I didn’t even realize that I had a heart attack. I thought I was having really bad heartburn. But this staff keeps me going,” he said. “I look forward to coming here with the people I work out with. It encourages me to keep doing what’s right.”

Senior King Karo Avanessian, who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention in 2004, noted the positive influence the Cardiac Fitness Center has had on his life.

“[The Fitness Center] helped me to be better person, not just healthier but better,” said Avanessian.

Ludmila Gibbons, winner of the Young at Heart Award, added, “You couldn’t find a better group of people who work here. I love the wonderful people who have helped us along the way. I may be 90 but I don’t feel it.”

After the crowning of the queens and kings, the Cardiac Fitness Center held a raffle, giving away prizes that included Target gift cards, T-shirts and red wine.

The event concluded with a complimentary meal provided by the hospital.

  Nicole MOORE