Published Saturday, November 11th, 2006

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer

Richland resident Dee Zatarack started thinking more seriously about her health when she turned 61.

She performs electrocardiogram heart monitoring tests at Kadlec Medical Center and didn't want to become a heart patient herself.

So she enrolled in the eight-week Coronary Health Improvement Project, or CHIP, a program sponsored by Kadlec and Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Zatarack and nearly 70 others showed up every Tuesday and Thursday night at WSU's campus in north Richland to learn about diet, exercise, stress reduction and smoking cessation, among other topics.

The program is designed to tackle heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and Type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes through lifestyle changes.

It also is aimed at educating healthy people about ways to prevent these diseases, said Kay Langevin, Kadlec's CHIP heart screen coordinator.

Some people go through the program to lose weight, others to lower cholesterol or blood pressure to a healthier level.

Kevin Piatt of Kennewick has lost about 60 pounds since he went through the program in the spring.

He signed up for CHIP because he knew he had settled into some unhealthy habits and he wanted to make a change.

He was on the borderline for high blood pressure, but it's now down by 35 points, he said.

CHIP changed how Piatt structured his day. He now makes breakfast his biggest meal so he has lasting energy through the day.

He also started an exercise regimen -- at first just walking, but over time he added biking, weight training and an elliptical machine workout.

Piatt said he has more energy since doing CHIP, and his knees and ankles feel better than when he was heavier.

He's looking forward to trying out his newfound limberness during winter ski season.

Zatarack saw positive changes in her cholesterol because of the program.

She no longer eats beef or eggs, and her total cholesterol has dropped 25 points.

Zatarack also has more energy than eight weeks ago. She likes the way she feels now so much that she plans to continue using what she learned.

Piatt took that a step further and volunteered to help others through the most recent program.

"I think it's definitely a program that if you make the commitment to lifestyle changes, you get positive results," he said.

Kadlec and WSU Tri-Cities hope to offer another CHIP series in the spring, Langevin said. People who want to participate can call the hospital at 942-2600to put their names on a pre-enrollment list. Cost is $300 per person or $425 for a couple.