An outstanding American heart specialist Sat u r d a y warned the nation' s wives against killing their husbands with kindness.
Dr. Louis N. Katz of Chicago, director of the department of cardio-vascular research, Michael Reese hospital, delivered the luncheon address at the annual membership meeting of the Louisiana Heart Association at Louisiana State university school of medicine cafeteria.
"Women are the stronger sex," he said, noting that the incidence of coronary diseases was higher in men than in women.
"Wives shoulld see that their husbands keep their weight down," he said. "They must stop killing them with kindness" by saying, 'Dear John, why don't you eat some more?'' 'PLAYING FOR KEEPS' Dr. Katz said that 50 per cent] of the deaths in this country ren suited from heart diseases,! Ninety per cent of these deaths; were due to athero-sclerosis, or; ' hardening of the arteries, an,d| hypertension, or high blood! pressure.
"With these figures," he said! in an interview, "we're playing j for keeps.
"Insurance s t a t i s t i c s have! shown that people who weigh less! do not suffer from heart . dis-i ease as much as people who weigh more. These figures also show that in people who lose weight and maintain this lower weight, that incidence of heart disease is reduced."
Dr. Katz said that men had more of a problem with weight than women because women's vanity cause them to keep slim. He suggested that people stop gaining at age 25.
DIET IMPORTANCE Emphasizing the importance of diet in heart disease, he suggested a high-protein, low-fat memi. This means, he said, the substitution of lean meat for fatty meat and unsaturated vegetable oils for animal fats.
"And we could also reduce our wheat and grain surpluses,'' he. said, "by using them as food. They are goo d protein sources. Doing these things will involve changing America's eating habits, but I think this should be done and I'm optimistic."
Earlier Saturday morning, Dr. Katz addressed a scientific session for physicians. He discussed ''high-risk heart patients," whom he said were marked by these factors: overweight, male over female, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesteral, diabetes and hereditary evidence. RELY ON STATISTICS
Dr. Katz further said that statistics showed the incidence of corony disease was higher among smokers than none-smokers.
"I am not sure that this is a cause and effect relationship, but^ the statistics are clean and do indicate this fact," he said. "It's just like jay-walking at a busy corner on Canal st. You don't know if you're going to get hit. You rely on statistics. Only the foolhardy would jay-walk."
Dr. Katz said a person should not be too ambitious or too placid. He said being "placid is not useful for one's self or for civilization but knocking your head! against a brick wall leads to frustrations. We should not always! seek that bigger car or that fur coat."
£)r. Katz also made a plea for increased interest in medical research.
YANCEY ELECTED
"When a young person says he is going into research, people tell him, 'Boy, you're nuts. Why don't you prac tic e medicine. You'll make more money.' 'Egghead' and 'intellectual,' should became cherished words, for these people both enjoy life and contribute something to mankind." At theN meeting Saturday Dr. Cyril T. Yancey of Monroe was elected president of the Louisiana Heart Association. He succeeds IX JJomer J. Dupuy of New Orleans.Other officers chosen were Dr. Harold P. Chastant of Lafayette, president-elect; Dr. John G. Arnold Jr, of New Orleans, vice-president, and Dr. John K. Griffith of Lake Charles, secretary. Henry J. Miltenberger of New Orleans was re-elected treasurer.
The sessions which began Friday were cosponsored by the Louisiana Academy of General Practice.
Dr. Dupuy, in his president's report delivered, at the noon luncheon, said that there were now volunteer heart councils in every parish in Louisiana.
He reported that the last council was formed in Plaquemines parish Wednesday night,
"This will enable us to bring our program to all peoples of the state," Dr. Dupuy said, explaining that the heart councils represented a partnership of medical and lay persons working together for the public.
Dr. Dupuy added that Louisi-j ana was ©ne of the first states! to have councils in all parishes! or counties.
At the beginning,of the fiscal year on July 1, he said, the association will have In excess of $280,000 from the I960 Heart Fund campaign and other funds,
"This amount," he said, "will]enable us to expand our research program. PHOTO: Heart Association Officers Chat with Speaker - OFFICERS of the Louisiana Heart Association are shown with Dr. Louis N. Katz of Chicago (right), who addressed Saturday's luncheon meeting. From left are Dr. Cyril T. Yancey of Monroe, president; Dr. Harold P. Chastant of Lafayette, president-elect; and Dr. Homer J. Dupuy of New Orleans, outgoing president.
