Snow STEMI

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A powerful winter storm called a Nor’easter has brought blizzard-like conditions and a large amount of snowfall to our area.

When we get such large amounts of snow, the easy part is watching the beauty of the snow falling. Unfortunately, the most difficult part is having to shovel several inches of snow from the sidewalk and driveway.

A major worry when shoveling large amounts of snow is how it can affect our health.

According to the National Library of Medicine, heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure during the winter months have been associated with increased adverse cardiovascular events, such as “snow-shoveler’s ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).”

Snow-shoveler’s STEMI is a type of heart attack that occurs when there is a partial or complete blockage in one of the coronary arteries, which stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle. This can especially occur due to the over-exertion caused by shoveling snow.

Per the American Heart Association, shoveling snow can put some people at risk of a heart attack, but most people won’t have a problem. Sudden exertion, such as shoveling hundreds of pounds of snow or pushing a heavy snow blower after being sedentary for several months, can put a huge strain on the heart.

There is also a factor of cold weather, as it can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and make blood clots form more easily and constrict arteries, which can decrease blood supply. This can even affect healthy people. People who are over the age of 40 years old, or are relatively inactive, are especially at risk. Other people who are at risk of STEMI include:

Those with preexisting heart conditions:

Those with high blood pressure (hypertension)
Those who smoke tobacco products

According to Medical News Today, research indicates that heavy snowfall is linked to a 6% higher likelihood of hospital admission for men with a heart attack and a 34% increase in dying.

The National Safety Council recommends the following safety tips to shovel safely:

Know the signs of a heart attack, stop immediately, and call 911 if you’re experiencing any of them; every minute counts

The warning signs of a heart attack include:

- Chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or doesn’t go away and returns
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, and stomach
- Shortness of breath

Other signs of a heart attack can include:

- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Nausea
- A rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Unusual tiredness
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Lightheadedness

Take it slow and stretch before you start shoveling
Shovel only fresh, powdery snow because it is lighter
Push the snow instead of lifting it. If you do lift the snow, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
Lift with your legs and not your back
Dress in warm layers
Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
Do not work to the point of exhaustion

If you have a history of heart disease, do not pick up a shovel without the permission of your healthcare provider.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms of STEMI, while, during, or after shoveling snow, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

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.

Do Using Smart Rings Actually Help You Be Healthier?

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Recently, technology has brought us fitness trackers and smart watches that can help us track our workouts, daily steps, and even monitor our sleep, stress, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels.

However, smart rings have become another way to track our health, and can be used to monitor movement, body temperature, sleep, heart rate, stress, as well as menstrual cycles.

Unlike smartwatches, smart rings don’t have screens to view these health metrics. Instead, they use a Bluetooth connection to send health data to your smartphone.

When a smart ring detects a person’s cardiovascular health, it uses infrared photoplethysmography technology (PPG), which uses a light source and a photodetector on the surface of the skin to measure the variations in blood circulation. These variations can estimate heart rate variability, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and artery stiffness.

Out of the different sensors a smart ring has, the PPG is the most studied one due to its proposed accuracy in tracking heart rate and monitoring overall cardiovascular health. However, most studies note that they are significantly less accurate than medical-grade technology.

According to the National Library of Medicine, in a study with 35 healthy individuals, researchers compared the heart rate and heart variability measured by a smart ring with an ECG during the night. Results showed that some health parameters matched the medical-grade measurement, but most were inaccurate.

To monitor body temperature, smart rings use a sensor called a thermistor, which estimates body temperature based on a person’s skin temperature. Smart rings also use this feature to assess stress levels and identify other bodily issues. However, a systematic review of the sensors and functionalities of wearable health technology, like a smart ring, indicates that these devices may not accurately indicate a person’s core body temperature, as researchers point out that a person’s skin temperature is a few degrees Fahrenheit lower than their body’s temperature.

What’s more, researchers emphasize that a person’s skin temperature fluctuates based on environmental conditions. When considering these two factors, it may be assumed that the thermistor sensor won’t be accurate.

Companies that produce smart rings have detailed the use of a variety of sensors to support women’s health. This feature relies mostly on the smart ring’s temperature feature, which they claim to use to track menstrual cycles and fertility windows.

Numerous studies have examined the accuracy of smart rings, which have produced promising results. According to the National Library of Medicine, in a pilot study with 22 participants, researchers used a smart ring to analyze temperature changes during the menstrual cycle. They discovered that the temperature readings were consistent with oral temperatures that were taken with ambulatory equipment.

In a separate study with 26 participants, it was found that this study was consistent with the previous study’s findings, demonstrating that smart rings could be a beneficial tool for monitoring menstruation. This study also detected that there was a significant temperature drop around ovulation, highlighting that smart rings could be an additional tool to track fertility.

Although these results are promising based on limited studies on smart rings, further research is needed as they are not 100% accurate.

Most of the smart rings on the market combine various metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, and movement, to estimate a person’s daily stress levels and provide tips to reduce them.

According to the National Library of Medicine, research suggests that there is a connection between stress and decreased parasympathetic regulation, the regulation that affects heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate. These are changes that a smart ring could potentially detect.

Additionally, a study with 525 college students explored this subject further. The study indicated that sleep data from smart rings could help predict stress. Notably, some experts do not consider smart rings as promising as research, as they highlight the negative effect smart rings may have on mental health. The reason is that while smart rings are promoted as a tool to shift lifestyle habits, they may cause the opposite effect, noting that constant monitoring of health metrics can create obsessive behaviors and paranoia about a person’s well-being. It could also be harmful to a person’s self-confidence, as a person may feel like they are not meeting the expectations and goals that a smart ring sets for them.

Smart rings can perform a sleep analysis by tracking a person’s heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep cycles. They may also include features, such as a snoring score and a recovery metric that indicates energy levels before a person starts their day.

Polysomnography (PSG) is used to track sleep, which uses a variety of signals such as brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, blood pressure, heart rate, and more. Although smart rings are not as accurate as PSG, researchers have been drawn to them due to the smart ring’s potential to monitor a person’s sleep at home comfortably.

Any current evidence on smart rings for tracking sleep is still very limited and conflicting. While some small studies highlight their potential. However, studies with bigger sample sizes indicate that smart rings can over- or underestimate some sleep parameters. A study in the National Library of Medicine compared the accuracy of several health technology devices on 35 individuals overnight. The study found that a smart ring surpassed the accuracy of smartwatches in various sleep parameters such as wake, light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep.

Smart rings can measure a person’s physical activity with two sensors: an accelerometer that tracks movement and speed, and a gyroscope that helps determine orientation. Smart rings gather data from these motion sensors, as well as the PPG and body temperature trackers, to understand how physical activity affects the body.

Research is limited in this area; however, a study in the National Library of Medicine focused on the accuracy of smart rings in measuring caloric expenditure and steps. The results indicated that smart rings were far from accurate, causing researchers to note the need to improve these devices, specifically their estimation of energy expenditure.

Another study on step count was consistent with a study that indicated a smart ring overestimated step count, compared to a medical-grade device to detect motion called ActiGraph.

A systematic review on wearable tech devices supported the findings of the studies, noting that they may be useful for estimating step count but shouldn’t be trusted to measure calorie expenditure.

Smart rings and other wearable devices that can track a person’s health can be useful. However, it is important not to use them to self-diagnose conditions. It is important to see a healthcare provider when experiencing any symptoms to professionally diagnose conditions.

If you are experiencing any medical problems, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Warning Signs of Blood Clots

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood that have partially solidified in a blood vessel. Clotting is a natural and essential process that stops bleeding when you’re injured. However, some blood clots can form anywhere along the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the body and are most likely to happen in the veins. These are called venous blood clots. The most common kinds of venous blood clots are:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)- DVT usually forms in the legs in the deep veins of the body. Thrombosis is when clots stay put and block blood flow.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)- Embolisms are blood clots that break free and travel to other parts of the body. If a DVT breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can create a pulmonary embolism.

Arterial clots are less common, occurring when a blood clot clogs an artery. These clots can block oxygen from reaching the heart or brain, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Anyone can develop a blood clot; however, certain factors can increase the risk of developing them, including:

Prolonged immobility, such as during long flights or hospital stays

Surgery, especially involving the legs, hips, or abdomen

Pregnancy and the postpartum period

Hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy

Smoking

Obesity

Family history of blood clots or clotting disorders

Cancer or cancer treatments

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a blood clot can be lifesaving. Here are the signs and symptoms to watch out for:

Swelling in one limb

Pain or tenderness in the affected area

Red or discolored skin

Warmth in the skin

Sudden shortness of breath

Chest pain

Coughing, possibly with blood

Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

Leg fatigue or heaviness

Dizziness or fainting

Blood clots are known to be silent killers as their symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other, less serious conditions. That’s why it is crucial to understand and recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots, especially if you are at an increased risk of developing them. Awareness and timely action can help prevent major complications from a stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attack.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a blood clot or think you may be at risk of developing one, you can schedule an appointment with one of our vascular surgeons in NYC or learn more about the services at our vascular surgery center in New York. Please call 718-206-6713.

Do Compression Socks Help with Circulation?

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Compression socks, or compression stockings, are socks of varying lengths and tightness that are made to fit more tightly than normal socks, so they gently squeeze your legs.

Compression socks are a popular treatment for tired legs and calf swelling. They support healthy circulation and can increase energy levels and lower the risk of blood clots. There are three primary types of compression socks:

Nonmedical support hosiery, which is available for anyone to buy over the counter

Graduated compression socks, which are only available by prescription from a doctor, require a professional fitting

Anti-embolism compression socks, which are prescribed for individuals who are at increased risk for pulmonary embolism

Compression socks are safe to wear when done correctly. However, that doesn’t mean they are safe for everyone in every situation. Some people shouldn’t use compression socks, like those with delicate or easily irritated skin. Some potential risks of wearing compression socks incorrectly include:

They can cut off your circulation

They can chafe and bruise your legs

They can cause itching, redness, and irritation

The safest way to use compression socks is to follow a healthcare provider’s guidance. Some best practices for safely wearing compression socks include:

Getting compression socks fitted properly by a professional

Getting fitted for the correct size of compression socks if you have gained or lost weight

Following instructions from the sock or stocking manufacturers and your healthcare provider

Checking your skin for changes such as redness, dents, dryness, and chafing between every wear

Hand-washing compression socks and hanging them dry to prevent warping or changes in the fabric

Disposing of compression socks after 30 or so wears, as soon as you notice them losing their stretch

Taking your compression socks off every day and replacing them with a clean, dry pair so the socks don’t adhere to your skin and become difficult to remove

To schedule an appointment with one of the Queens, NYC vascular surgeons at Jamaica Hospital or to learn more about the services we offer, please call (718) 206-7001.

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.

Blood Clots

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood that form in your arteries and veins. Blood clots help control bleeding, but can also cause serious medical issues like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and heart attack.

Blood clots are the first line of defense if something damages your blood vessels. This is why bleeding usually stops after a few minutes when you cut yourself. You can also develop a blood clot when you have been immobile for a long time or have medical conditions that increase your risk of getting them.

Blood clots are made of small colorless fragments of cells produced by your bone marrow called platelets. They are also made of a sticky blood protein that looks like strings called fibrin. Platelets and fibrin work together to seal injured areas of your blood vessels.

You can have blood clots anywhere in your body. When they develop in the veins of your arms and legs it’s called deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots that form in the arteries of your lungs are called pulmonary embolism. A stroke occurs when blood clots block blood flow to your brain. When blood clots are in your heart, they can cause a heart attack.

If you are experiencing leg pain, swollen legs, or skin discoloration, these may be symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. Chest pain or shortness of breath can be symptoms of blood clots in your lungs or heart.

Some other possible symptoms of blood clots to be mindful of include:

A cough that produces blood sputum
A fast heartbeat
Lightheadedness
Pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, or jaw
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Some conditions focus on blood clots such as blood clotting issues. Some blood clotting disorders include:

Factor V Leiden- an inherited disorder and most common blood clotting disorder. It slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Prothrombin Gene Mutation- an inherited condition that slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome- an autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of blood clots.

People who have an increased risk of developing blood clots include:

People 65 years of age or older
Pregnancy
People who are obese
People who have cancer
Those on birth control or hormone therapy
Smokers
Immobile people

Ways to reduce the risk of developing blood clots include:

Avoid sitting for long periods
Drinking plenty of fluids
Changing your lifestyle

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, 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.

What are Venous Ulcers?

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

A venous ulcer is a wound that takes a longer time to heal than normal due to issues with blood flow to the heart from your extremities. This causes blood to pool in the legs and damages surrounding skin tissue; as a result, venous ulcers form, most often occurring on your legs near your ankles.

Venous ulcers may be identified based on their appearance, smell, and the sensations associated with them. Typically, these ulcers are shallow and irregularly shaped, and the skin around them may be hard and discolored. They also tend to ache and are typically itchy, foul-smelling, swollen, and oozing pus or other fluids.

The blood flow problems in your legs that cause venous ulcers to develop can occur due to a variety of factors, such as:

Age
Obesity
Paralysis
A sedentary lifestyle
Smoking
Surgery
Prior injuries

You may also be more likely to develop venous ulcers due to conditions that affect the flow of blood from your legs, such as deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, high blood pressure, venous obstruction, and venous reflux. Additionally, your risk may be higher if any of these conditions have affected members of your family.

Venous ulcers can cause permanent damage to surrounding tissues without treatment. Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatment approaches, depending on the underlying medical problems that may have caused the ulcer to develop. Treatment may also involve several elements focused on the ulcer itself to relieve pain and prevent further tissue damage. Some of these elements may include:

Antibiotics
Bandages or stockings to improve blood flow and/or cover the wound
Protective topical ointments
Pain relief medication
Debridement
Daily cleaning of the wound

If you have developed a venous ulcer, you can receive high-quality treatment from the vascular surgeons at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

What are Statins?

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Cholesterol is an important part of many of your body’s functions. However, too much of it can cause your arteries to become narrowed or blocked, increasing your risk for cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks or strokes. This problem is particularly linked to LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. For adults, an optimal level of LDL cholesterol is less than 100 mg/dL; a near-optimal level is 100 to 129 mg/dL.

Statins are prescription medications that disrupt cholesterol production in your liver, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and increase the amount of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in your blood; HDL, or “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol from your blood and transports it back to your liver. Statins are available in brand-name or generic versions and are typically taken as tablets or capsules once per day.

Statins are typically prescribed to people who cannot reduce their cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes such as quitting tobacco products, as well as:

People who have experienced serious cardiovascular problems such as a stroke, heart attack, or peripheral artery disease
People over the age of 40 with an LDL above 70 mg/dL who have diabetes or are at high risk of heart disease

Statins are also often taken for the rest of a patient’s life to keep their cholesterol levels low, as these levels tend to increase with age before gradually decreasing later in life.

While most patients should not have much trouble tolerating statins, they may cause some side effects. These commonly include headaches, nausea, and aching in the muscles and joints. Rarely, however, statins may lead to more serious side effects, such as increased blood sugar, muscle cell damage, liver damage, or memory problems.

A cardiologist can help you weigh the benefits and risks of statins to determine whether they’re the right treatment approach for you. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department, please call (718) 206-7100.

Jamaica Hospital First In Queens To Successfully Complete DVT Procedure Using Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is the first hospital in Queens to use Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™ for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

DVT occurs when blood clots develop within a vein located deep inside the body, usually in the legs, but can form in other places such as the pelvis and the arms. These clots block or slow the flow of blood to the rest of the body.

Deep vein thrombosis can happen as a result of injury to the veins, certain medical conditions that affect how blood clots, or being sedentary for an extended period (for example sitting for a long time on a flight without moving).

Symptoms of DVT include lower extremity swelling, red or discolored skin, pain, or a warm feeling in the affected area. In more severe cases, clots may detach and travel to the lungs resulting in a pulmonary embolism, which is potentially life-threatening.

There are several options available to treat DVT. The most common is anticoagulation or the use of blood thinners to prevent new clots from forming. However, anticoagulants do not break down existing clots. An effective treatment for this issue is the use of thrombolytics or “clot-busting” drugs to help dissolve clots in patients with moderate to severe DVT. Although thrombolytic therapy is effective, it is associated with a higher risk of major and fatal bleeding and requires a stay in the ICU.

The Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™ are important new options for the treatment of moderate or severe DVT. Both are FDA-cleared, clinically proven, and minimally invasive devices, specially designed for the removal of large volumes of clots from the deep vein. DVT removal is completed in a single-session treatment that avoids the use of thrombolytics and an ICU stay. The procedure also offers a lower risk of bleeding, immediate symptom improvement, and faster recovery times.

Jamaica Hospital utilizes cutting-edge surgical technology to treat a wide variety of conditions, including those that are prevalent in its community. As the closest hospital to John F. Kennedy International Airport, where many travelers flying long distances are at risk for DVT and one that serves a population with a high incidence of vascular conditions, having sophisticated tools such as the Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™ is advantageous in ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

Jamaica Hospital is recognized as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for surgery. The hospital is ranked number two in New York for surgical care by Healthgrades. It is also the top-ranked hospital in Queens, New York, and is among the top 5% in the nation for this area of expertise.

Meet Dr. Mina Guerges

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center would like to introduce vascular surgeon Dr. Mina Guerges to our community.

Vascular surgeons are physicians who specialize in treating diseases of the vascular system, also known as the circulatory system. Diseases of the vascular system include atherosclerosis, carotid artery disease, and peripheral artery disease.

Dr. Guerges is highly trained and skilled in performing minimally invasive endovascular and open-ended procedures. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his medical degree from the Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Guerges completed his general surgery residency at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and his vascular surgery fellowship at Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell. He serves as a military surgeon in the United States Navy Reserves and is an active New York Police Department trooper surgeon. Dr. Guerges is RPVI certified and is an active member of the American Board of Surgery as well as the Society of Vascular Surgeons.

Dr. Guerges’ specialties include treating lower extremity peripheral artery disease, carotid stenosis, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and other conditions that affect the vascular system. He takes great pride in building relationships and helping patients beyond surgery by applying a holistic approach to treatment. This involves identifying risk factors that can lead to vascular diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and working with patients to develop a lifestyle plan that addresses these issues and ensures long-term success.

“Vascular disease is prevalent in our community. Therefore, it is important that I educate patients about their risk for developing preventable diseases,” shares Dr. Guerges. He also believes that it is important to collaborate with physicians of other specialties such as podiatrists and neurologists to lower the risk for disease and avoid serious problems such as stroke or leg amputation. “By working together we can create the best plan of treatment to achieve optimal results for our patients.”

Dr. Guerges is extremely happy to join the vascular surgery team at Jamaica Hospital. He treats patients at 134-20 Jamaica Avenue as well as the hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-8755 or 718-206-7001.