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.

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.

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.