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Aortic Dissection

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

An aortic dissection is a serious condition that occurs when blood rushes through a tear in a weakened area of the aorta’s wall causing it to split or dissect.

Symptoms of aortic dissection can be similar to the symptoms of other heart problems like a heart attack. These signs and symptoms include:

Sudden severe chest or upper back pain.
Sudden severe stomach pain.
Loss of consciousness.
Shortness of breath.
Symptoms that are similar to those of a stroke.
Weak pulse in one arm or thigh.
Leg pain
Difficulty walking

Aortic dissections are divided into two groups, depending on which part of the aorta is affected. These groups are:

Type A- is more common and dangerous. It involves a tear in the part of the aorta where it exits the heart. A tear may also occur in the upper aorta.
Type B- involves a tear in the lower aorta only.

Some factors that can raise your risk of aortic dissection include:

Hypertension
Hardening of the arteries
Aortic aneurysm
An aortic valve defect
A narrowing of the aorta at birth

Certain genetic diseases can also increase the risk of aortic dissection. They include:

Turner syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Other connective tissue disorders.
Inflammation of the arteries

Other potential risk factors for aortic dissection include:

Sex
Age
Pregnancy
Cocaine use
High-intensity weightlifting.

Aortic dissection is uncommon and usually occurs in men in their 60s and 70s. The condition can cause many complications including:

Death due to severe internal bleeding.
Organ damage, such as kidney failure or life-threatening intestinal damage.
Stroke
Aortic valve damage or rupture into the lining around the heart.

It can be challenging to detect an aortic dissection because symptoms can mimic those of other diseases and health problems which can delay a diagnosis.

A doctor may think you have aortic dissection if you have:

Sudden tearing or ripping chest pain.
A difference in blood pressure between the right and left arms.
Widening of the aorta on a chest X-ray.

Tests to diagnose aortic dissection include:

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
CT scan of the chest.
MRA

An aortic dissection is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Treatment can include surgery or medications depending on the area of the aorta involved.

Treatments for Type A and Type B aortic dissection may include:

Surgery
Medications

After treatment, you may need to take medication to control your blood pressure for the rest of your life. You may also need regular CT or MRI scans to monitor your condition.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of aortic dissection, 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 dial 911 right away.

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.

Summer Heart Health Tips

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The summer months come with many things. Warmer weather, beautiful flowers, longer days full of trips to the beach, and parties and barbecues. Warmer weather also brings extreme heat and added risk factors that can affect heart health.

As the body works harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels, a strain is placed on our organs, especially the heart. This can have hazardous effects on people with pre-existing cardiovascular problems and people with a healthy heart as well.

Being in extreme heat for too long can cause two serious heat-related illnesses in which your body can’t control its temperature: heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

Heavy sweating
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness
Dizziness and fainting

Here are some ways to prevent heat exhaustion: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, use cold compresses, and sip cool (not cold) water.

Heatstroke or sunstroke symptoms include:

Fever of 104 degrees or more
Severe headache
Behavioral changes
Confusion
Hot, red skin
No sweating
Rapid heartbeat and loss of consciousness

Here are ways to prevent heatstroke: Quickly move the individual to a cooler place, use cold compresses, and do not give them anything to drink.

People at risk of being severely affected by extreme heat are those with a history of:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
Stroke
Obesity
Diabetes

There are many ways to take preventative measures to ensure you stay safe in warmer and sometimes extreme temperatures.

You can do this by:

Knowing the heat illness warning signs.
Seeing your doctor to know if you’re at risk of having heat-related heart problems.
Avoiding spending too much time outdoors during the hottest days of the summer
Applying sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, especially during peak sun.
Wearing loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
Staying cool in areas where there is air-conditioning or a fan. If either isn’t accessible, apply cold compresses (ice-pack or ice-water-filled bottle to your pulse points.
Hydrating by drinking plenty of water to help regulate your body temperature, and avoiding drinking too many alcoholic drinks because they can dehydrate you.
Eating water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, salads, and cold soups.
Being smart about exercising. If it is too hot to work outside, do it indoors.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, 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 dial 911 right away.

Ways To Prevent Heart Disease

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Nikki Joseph D.O.

Cardiovascular disease is a general term that describes a wide range of conditions that affect your heart’s ability to function normally and pump blood to the rest of your body.

If your heart is not working properly, it can lead to serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.

There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing complications associated with cardiovascular disease. Some factors such as age or family history are non-modifiable, meaning they cannot be changed. However, there are others that are modifiable and can be changed to lower your risk of developing disease. Modifiable risk factors include tobacco use, lack of exercise, stress, a poor diet and medication adherence. Here are some tips on how you can reduce these risks and prevent heart disease:

1. Exercise Regularly – The American Heart Association recommends including 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, 5 days a week, in your routine. This will help to keep your heart muscle strong.
2. Eat Healthy – Make sure to eat lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid fatty foods and salt. One of the recommended diets to help prevent heart disease is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.
3. Stop Smoking – Smoking can damage your blood vessels and raise your blood pressure which increases your chances of having a heart attack.
4. Reduce Your Stress – Stress can also raise your blood pressure and put a strain on your heart. One of the ways to reduce stress is practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. If you feel your stress is too much to handle on your own, talk to your primary care doctor or a mental health professional.
5. Properly Manage Other Medical Conditions – Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes put you at a much greater risk for heart disease. Make sure you take medications that your doctor prescribed to manage these conditions.

Making an appointment for an annual physical with your primary care doctor can also lower your risk. Annual visits can help your doctor detect the early signs of heart disease. Your doctor can talk to you about your risk factors and help you to begin living and maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. You should see a doctor immediately if you begin to experience symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat. These are often indicators of serious heart-related problems that require urgent medical attention.

To speak with a Family Medicine doctor about heart disease, please call (718) 206-6942.

Nikki Joseph D.O.

Living With A Pacemaker

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is implanted in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. It works by producing electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat at a normal rate.

Doctors may recommend pacemakers to patients diagnosed with heart arrhythmias (a condition which causes the heart to beat in an irregular rhythm) or patients living with symptoms resulting from bradycardia (slow heart rate).

If a pacemaker is needed to help treat either condition, minimally invasive surgery is required to implant the device. After implantation, your doctor will discuss in detail, precautions to consider while wearing a pacemaker. You may be advised to:

Stay away from magnets or strong magnetic fields.
Make certain to take medications as recommended.
Keep cellphones at least six inches away from the device.
Do not linger in areas with walk-through anti-theft detectors.
Carry a pacemaker ID card.
Inform airport security agents that you are wearing the device, as your pacemaker can set off metal detectors. Hand-held scanners contain a magnet that may interfere with your device, remind the agent to avoid using the scanner near your pacemaker.
Avoid using arc welders and chainsaws.
Take special precautions to protect your device during certain medical procedures such as MRI scans or radiation therapy.

Most people living with pacemakers can continue their normal day-to-day physical activities. Speak to your doctor about what level of physical activity is best for you.

Pacemakers require maintenance. Although the average battery life of your pacemaker is five to 15 years, your doctor may ask you to come in at least once a year to make sure your device is functioning properly.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department provides pacemaker implantation and evaluation services. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained cardiologists, please call (718) 206-7100.

What Is CoQ10 and what are its Heart Health Benefits?

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 is an antioxidant that is naturally produced by our bodies to aid cells in growing and functioning properly.

As we age our bodies produce less of it and those diagnosed with heart disease are often found to have inadequate amounts. Although we can obtain CoQ10 from foods such as fish, whole grains and meat, it isn’t enough to significantly increase levels in our bodies.

Supplements are sometimes recommended to make up for a lack of CoQ10. Studies show they may be beneficial in slightly reducing blood pressure and improving symptoms of heart failure.

Although taking CoQ10 supplements is generally safe, findings are mixed and as with any supplement, there are side effects, as well as drug interactions with certain medications. It is highly advised that you speak with your doctor before taking CoQ10.

Jamaica Hospital Supports American Heart Month

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

This month, many candy hearts will be exchanged in honor of Valentine’s Day, but Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants the community to give some thoughts to hearts that are not made of chocolate. That’s because February is also American Heart Month, a special designation intended to remind everyone the importance of heart health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States and the numbers are increasing. The good news is, by working with your doctor to monitor your condition and by making changes to your lifestyle, heart disease is preventable for most.

Here are some tips to improve your heart health

Schedule an appointment with your doctor, who can conduct a physical evaluation and test your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe certain medications to control both.
Maintain a healthy diet and control your weight. Obesity is one of the leading contributors to heart disease.
Increase your physical activity. By joining a gym or taking up walking, make exercise part of your daily routine
Monitor your alcohol intake and if you smoke, quit immediately. Cigarette smoke and alcohol are two factors that put individuals at an increased risk of heart disease.

Please make an appointment to see your doctor to have your heart checked immediately. If you do not have a doctor, you can make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001. If a heart condition is suspected, a referral can be to our Cardiology Department, where we can perform a variety of tests to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Join Jamaica Hospital as we recognize American Heart Month. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and your regularly scheduled appointments, you can enjoy this Valentine’s Day with a clean bill of heart health.

Jamaica Hospital Supports “Go Red For Women”

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Michael Hinck

Jamaica Hospital’s Cardiology Department Wears Red

National Go Red Day was created in 2003 to raise awareness about the devastating affects cardiovascular disease has on women in the United States.

Before the “Go Red” initiative was founded, many Americans believed the myth that heart disease affects men more than women. The truth is that cardiovascular disease claims the lives of 500,000 women in the U.S. every year – that’s one woman every 80 seconds.

Through this national initiative, the Go Red For Women movement has generated a great deal of awareness as many more women are aware of the importance of heart health. Some of the many strides made since 2003 include:

More than one-third of women have lost weight.
More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.
6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.
More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.

The effort has proven to be effective. Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day and deaths in women have decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.

One of the keys to maintaining this success is through continued education. All women are encouraged to “Know Your Numbers” because it is knowledge that can save their life. The five numbers all women should know are: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI). Knowing these numbers can help women and their healthcare provider determine their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.

Jamaica Hospital employees supports Go Red For Women Day by wearing red to raise awareness. Jamaica Hospital urges all women to make an appointment with their doctor to learn their numbers. If you do not have a doctor and would like to schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-206-7100.

What Are Your Chances of Developing Heart Disease and Ways to Reduce Risks

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

The term heart disease is used to describe a range of conditions that affect heart function. Some of the most common types of heart disease are coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is the cause of approximately one in every four deaths. These numbers are alarming and may affect you if you are at risk of developing certain heart conditions.

Your chances of developing heart disease are determined by risk factors you may or may not be able to control. Risk factors that you can control (modifiable) are:

Obesity
Diet
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Excessive alcohol consumption

Risk factors that you cannot control (non-modifiable) are:

Family history
Age
Gender

Whether your risks are modifiable or non-modifiable, the good news is, there are many things you can do to lower the chances or prevent heart disease from developing.

Eating a healthy diet- Eating a moderate and well- balanced diet can help with obesity. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension which have been linked to heart disease.
Quit smoking – Smoking damages the lining of the arteries and compromises the function of the heart. Quitting smoking will not only benefit your heart but other organs that can also be affected by tobacco smoke.
Exercising- Exercising as recommended can help regulate blood pressure, keep arteries and blood vessels flexible and improve cholesterol levels.
Moderating alcohol consumption- Excessive alcohol consumption can harm your heart and lead to heart failure, high blood pressure as well as cardiac arrhythmia.

In addition to applying healthy lifestyle changes to your daily routine, it is also helpful to schedule annual physical exams to ensure that your body is functioning normally. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Heat Waves and Heart Health

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

As the temperature increases so does the risk of having complications linked to heart disease. Extreme summer heat can be dangerous for people who suffer from cardiovascular issues. Studies show that cardiovascular deaths are more frequent during heat waves and complications are usually triggered by dehydration.

Dehydration can occur because of excess sweating. If the body is overheating, an increase in the production of sweat is needed to keep it cool. In order to meet this demand, the heart has to work harder and faster to pump more blood to your skin. Dehydration also affects normal blood flow because a lack of fluid causes blood to thicken. If the body cannot cool itself and strain is put on the heart, a person can suffer from heat stroke, heart attack or heart failure.

If the following symptoms of heat-related illness or exhaustion are present, it is recommended that medical attention is sought right away:

Dizziness or light-headedness
Nausea or vomiting
Dark urine
Weakness
Rapid, weak pulse
Confusion
Rapid, shallow breathing
Unconsciousness

There are several steps a person can take to reduce the risk of heart complications during extreme heat:

Keep hydrated- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. However, stay clear of beverages that may dehydrate you such as teas, alcohol or coffee.
Take cool baths or showers to help body keep cool.
Wear cool and loose fitting clothing.
Do not exercise or perform rigorous physical activity during extreme heat.
Stay in cooler environments

It is always important to remember to follow the suggested precautions to stay safe during the summer heat.

Does the Alcohol In Red Wine Dampen Its Benefits?

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

There have been many reports about how red wine can lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health. But don’t be so quick to open that bottle of Merlot at home. That’s because recent studies suggest that the antioxidants found in wine that may help prevent heart disease, are much more effective when the wine is non-alcoholic.

Wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols that can help prevent heart diseases. They increase the levels of HDLs, or “good cholesterol” in the blood, which protects against artery damage and can lower blood pressure. Another potential benefit is, polyphenols may help protect blood vessels in your heart and prevent blood clots.

Unfortunately, alcohol in red wine may dampen the blood pressure-lowering potential of its antioxidants. A study published in Circulation Research found that when men drank red wine containing alcohol, their blood pressure only went down slightly, but when they drank non-alcoholic red wine, their blood pressure went down enough to lower their risk of heart disease by 14%.

This is good news for those who want to receive the benefits of red wine, but don’t or can’t consume alcohol. In addition, while red wine has shown some benefits in moderation, consuming too much poses several health risks.

If you have high blood pressure and want to learn more about the potential benefits of red wine, please speak with your doctor. Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has many doctors who can help. To make an appointment, please call, 718-206-7001.