May 2025 - Health BeatHealth Beat

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Acute coronary syndrome refers to three types of coronary disease that are related to sudden reduced blood flow to the heart.

The three types of coronary artery disease are:

Unstable angina
Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Acute coronary syndrome can affect anyone. However, certain risk factors raise the likelihood of developing the condition. Risk factors include:

Older age
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Smoking or tobacco use
Not enough physical activity
An unhealthy diet
Obesity or being overweight
Diabetes
Personal or family history of angina, heart attacks, or stroke
History of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or diabetes during pregnancy
Early menopause
COVID-19 infection

The symptoms of acute coronary syndrome usually start suddenly. They include:

Chest pain or discomfort, which may feel like aching, pressure, tightness, or burning
Pain that starts in the chest and spreads to other body parts. These areas include the shoulders, arms, upper belly area, back, neck, or jaw
Nausea or vomiting
Indigestion
Shortness of breath
Sudden, heavy sweating
A racing heartbeat
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Fainting
Unusual fatigue

Acute coronary syndrome is usually caused by a buildup of fatty deposits or plaque in and on the walls of the heart’s arteries. When a fatty deposit breaks open, a blood clot can form and block blood flow to the heart, causing the heart not to receive enough oxygen.

The lack of oxygen can cause cells in the heart muscle to die. This damage can lead to a heart attack. When acute coronary syndrome doesn’t cause heart muscle cells to die, it is called unstable angina.

Acute coronary syndrome is an emergency and is usually diagnosed at a hospital. A healthcare provider runs tests to check the heart and determine the cause of symptoms.

Tests for acute coronary syndrome may include:

Electrocardiogram
Blood tests

A healthcare provider looks at the symptoms and test results to diagnose acute coronary syndrome. This information can also help classify your condition as a heart attack or unstable angina.

Other tests may be done to rule out other possible causes of symptoms and may also help determine treatment. Tests include:

Coronary angiogram
Echocardiogram
Myocardial perfusion imaging
CT angiogram
Exercise stress test

There is no cure for acute coronary syndrome. However, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can protect your heart from further damage and help it work as well as possible. A healthcare provider can discuss ways to reduce risks and avoid complications.

The immediate goals of treatment for acute coronary syndrome are to:

Relieve pain and distress
Improve blood flow
Restore heart function quickly and as much as possible

Long-term treatment goals are to:

Help the heart work as well as possible
Manage risk factors
Lower the risk of a heart attack

Treatment for acute coronary syndrome may include medicine, heart procedures, or surgery.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of acute coronary syndrome, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Are Allergy Symptoms Worsening?

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As we enter the height of spring, seasonal allergy symptoms may seem to be getting worse for those who suffer from them.

Seasonal allergy symptoms can include:

Sneezing
A runny or stuffy nose
Watery, itchy eyes
Itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
Ear congestion
Postnasal drainage

Public health and research organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America point to climate change as a possible contributing factor to worsening allergy seasons.

Due to the warmer temperatures, pollinating plants experience earlier and longer growing seasons, which allows them to produce more pollen.

“Climate change impacts allergy season because the consistent rhythm of, in this case of pollen, for example, new flowers being generated through spring is all off kilter. Areas that were not pollinating at a given time are pollinating earlier, while other areas are pollinating later”, says Frederic Bertley, PhD, president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry.

More than a quarter of adults and about 1 in 5 children experience seasonal allergies in the United States.

However, despite the increasing severity of allergy season, there are ways to decrease exposure to pollen and reduce symptoms, including:

Keeping pollen out of your home by closing doors and windows
Installing HEPA filters
Giving your home a deep clean
Washing your hands often
Tracking pollen levels before you go outdoors
Showering after being outdoors
Staying indoors if pollen levels are high

In addition to decreasing exposure, there are over-the-counter allergy medications that you can take to relieve symptoms, including:

Antihistamines
Decongestants
Nasal and oral corticosteroids

You can receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for seasonal allergies at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

Stroke Recovery: Walking with Patients Beyond the Guidelines

Posted on May 13, 2025 by Abigail Hasan

At Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s stroke clinic, recovery doesn’t always follow a predictable path. We serve a diverse population, of which some face not only the aftermath of stroke but also the daily challenges of low literacy, language barriers, poverty, and mistrust of the healthcare system. For these patients, healing is not just clinical—it’s emotional, educational, and deeply human.

Helping someone through the disability that follows a stroke is a journey. It’s not a quick fix or a one-time consult. It’s a repeated process of teaching, re-teaching, listening, adjusting, and celebrating even the smallest wins. Every step forward—standing up without assistance, remembering medication, expressing a full thought—is a struggle, but also a sign of improvement. These moments might seem small to an outsider, but in the context of post-stroke life, they are monumental.

Some patients come in frustrated, embarrassed, or silent. Others are overwhelmed by the loss of independence or the fear of another stroke. But with time, trust, and tailored communication—visuals, repetition, interpreters, touch—they start to shift. And that shift becomes the heartbeat of our clinic. It’s in those moments, when a caregiver finally understands the importance of blood pressure monitoring, or a patient tears up after writing their name for the first time again, that we see the real meaning of our work.

Caring in this setting is more than clinical expertise. It’s advocacy. It’s a partnership. It’s knowing that when patients don’t understand, it’s not because they’re unwilling—it’s because the system hasn’t always spoken their language. So we change the system, one encounter at a time. And in doing so, we shift the narrative from stroke as an end, to stroke as a beginning.

Stroke recovery in our clinic takes time. But it is forward motion. And that matters. Every hard-earned step our patients take reflects not only their resilience, but also the power of compassionate, equity-focused stroke care. This is what makes our dedication worth it—because during our patients’ progress we find purpose and profound connection.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions. It is caused by extra pressure on the median nerve in the wrist’s carpal tunnel.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually and can include:

Tingling and numbness in the wrist, hand, or fingers
Weakness
Pain in the wrist, hand, or fingers
Trouble using hands to hold or control objects

Several factors have been linked to the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Although they may not directly cause carpal tunnel, they may increase the risk of irritation or damage to the median nerve. These include:

Anatomical factors
Sex assigned at birth
Nerve-damaging conditions
Inflammatory conditions
Medicines
Obesity
Body fluid changes
Other medical conditions
Workplace factors

To diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, a healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical exam and other tests that include:

Tinel’s sign
Phalen’s test
X-ray
MRI
Ultrasound
Electromyography
A nerve conduction study

Healthcare providers treat carpal tunnel syndrome with nonsurgical treatments first. The most common carpal tunnel treatments include:

Modifying your daily routine
Supporting and strengthening your wrist
Taking over-the-counter medication
Wearing a splint (especially at night)
Physical therapy
Changing your posture or working environment
Corticosteroids

You may need carpal tunnel surgery if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve symptoms. The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure by cutting the ligament pressing on the median nerve. The three different techniques used in carpal tunnel surgery include:

Endoscopic surgery
Open surgery
Ultrasound-guided surgery

It is best to treat carpal tunnel syndrome as early as possible after symptoms start. There are simple things that you can do for yourself that may help symptoms go away, such as:

Taking more frequent breaks to rest the hands
Not doing activities that make symptoms worse
Using cold packs to reduce swelling

If you have any questions or concerns about carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel surgery, you can receive more detailed information from a doctor at Orthopedic Specialists of New York, located on Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s campus. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-6923.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is Arthritis Awareness Month. The observance serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the complex family of debilitating diseases.

An estimated 58.5 million adults in the U.S. are affected by some form of arthritis, which is equal to about 23.7% of the population. As the number of older Americans continues to grow, and the rate of obesity and overweight increases, the number of people with arthritis-attributable activity limitations will only increase.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, especially amongst older people. OA mostly affects cartilage by breaking down its surface. As cartilage wears away, it allows bones to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion. Over time, these changes can affect the bones, tendons, and other joint tissues.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. However, joint pain and other OA symptoms can be managed through treatment, lifestyle changes, and education.

In 1972, at the urging of the Arthritis Foundation, Congress and President Richard M. Nixon designated May as National Arthritis Month, a special time to emphasize research, service, and education about arthritis and raise funds to support the cause. Every May since then, National Arthritis Month has been marked by efforts to elevate the public’s awareness of arthritis.

During this Arthritis Awareness Month, get involved by helping raise awareness for this public health priority.

Varicose Veins

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

Varicose veins are swollen or enlarged veins that appear close to the skin’s surface. They typically occur in the legs but can form in other parts of the body.

Varicose veins develop when vein walls or valves become weakened or damaged. This allows blood to pool or flow backward, increasing the pressure within the veins. Over time, our veins can stretch, grow larger, or twist, leading to the formation of varicose veins.

There are several risk factors for varicose veins, including:

Obesity
Sex (women are more likely to get varicose veins than men)
Family history of varicose veins
Pregnancy
Standing or sitting for long periods
Taking birth control pills
Going through menopause
Older age
Tobacco use

Individuals with varicose veins may experience:

Veins that are visibly twisted, swollen, or bulging
Veins that are blue, dark purple, or the same color as the skin
A feeling of heaviness in the legs
Itching around the areas of the varicose veins
Pain in the legs
Swelling of the feet or ankles
Scaly, irritated skin that cracks easily

Untreated or severe varicose veins may also lead to complications such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, venous ulcers, or pulmonary embolism.

Varicose veins are diagnosed by performing a physical examination and assessing your medical history and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may also order imaging tests.

Treatment for this condition can include lifestyle changes such as elevating the legs when resting, wearing supportive or compression stockings, laser therapy, injection therapy, or surgery.

You can reduce the risk of varicose veins by focusing on lifestyle modifications such as avoiding prolonged sitting or standing, drinking adequate amounts of water, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting tobacco use, exercising, and elevating your legs above your waist when resting.

If you have questions or concerns about varicose veins, please schedule a consultation with our vascular surgeons at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center by calling (718) 206-7001.