Benefit of the Annual Physical

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The greatest benefit of an annual physical is knowledge for both you and your physician. An annual visit establishes a baseline for your personal health. Armed with this information, your doctor can detect unhealthy trends before they become risk factors.

Nearly one third of the population with a chronic disease is unaware that they have the disease. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, as many as 100,000 lives could be saved each year by increasing preventive care services.

Health screenings, such as blood glucose and blood pressure tests can easily detect the two most chronic conditions, diabetes and hypertension before they cause serious health issues. The Centers for Disease Control cites that seven out of every 10 deaths are caused by chronic disease. Proper management of these conditions can prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

In order to get the most out of your annual physical, take a moment to prepare:

Make a list of your health concerns
Make a list of all the medications you are taking
Get a copy of your medical records and your family medical history

Dozens of Patient Care Specialists, on staff at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, are ready to provide you with your annual check-up.

Flushing Hospital is a certified Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) in its Ambulatory Care Center. The Center offers more than 50 outpatient general and specialty services for children adolescents and adults.

Flushing Hospital’s ambulatory care services accepts most major insurances, is centrally located and has convenient patient hours. Call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

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.

Holiday Heart Syndrome

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Holiday Heart Syndrome, coined in 1978, is a real syndrome in which the heart’s vulnerability to certain arrhythmias is increased by excessive alcohol ingestion (binge drinking) and the onset of a heart rhythm disturbance in people who are otherwise healthy.

The most frequently seen arrhythmia during the holiday season is atrial fibrillation, in which the top chambers of the heart quiver or fibrillate causing the heart to beat irregular and often quite fast.

Excessive alcohol intake in women is defined as consuming seven or more drinks per week or over three doses at one time. For men, heavy consumption is defined as over 14 drinks per week or over four drinks at one time by the U.S. Department of health and Human Service.

Alcohol alone does not fully explain Holiday Heart Syndrome. There are other risk factors for atrial fibrillation that are higher around the holidays such as:

Overeating
Stress
High levels of sodium consumption
Dehydration

Everyone has some degree of stress in their lives. Health concerns, family and relationship issues, financial problems can all cause stress which can ultimately affect your health; the idea of “letting go” at a holiday event and consuming more alcohol than usual as a way to forget the present may have a negative effect on your future.

If you have any heart symptoms, it is best to seek medical attention immediately; even if your symptoms appear ON a holiday.

#MondayMotivation — 10 Minute Heart Health Workout

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Sage Robinson

According to the American Heart Association, 2200 Americans die of heart disease every single day. Help your heart get a boost and prevent becoming a part of this growing statistic- Check out this quick 10 minute workout for a healthy heart.

Be One in a Million Hearts – Support the Million Hearts Campaign

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 requires work and a commitment to change from all of us. There are steps each of us—and our organizations—can take to reach this shared goal. Find out how you can be one in a Million Hearts® and make a positive difference in your family, community, and nation.

Try the Heart360 app to record and track your heart health online here.

If you’d like to make an appointment with a cardiologist to discuss your heart health and what treatment options are right for you, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center for an appointment at 718-670-5486.

Does a larger waist size indicate a shorter life expectancy?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Weight and body mass index (BMI) are used to calculate whether a person is normal, overweight or obese. Recent studies conclude that waist measurements might also indicate health risks.

Data analyzed from 11 studies involving 650,386 adults, most in their early 60s over a nine year span concluded that people with the largest waist sizes were most likely to die at a younger age from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, or cancer than those with smaller waists.

Men whose waists measured 43 inches or more were 52 percent more likely to increase their risk of death than men with 35-inch waists; women with 37-inch or larger waists had an 80 percent higher mortality risk than those with waists of 28 inches or less. The chances of dying prematurely increased 9 percent for women and 7 percent for men for every two-inch increase in waist size. Compared with those who had the smallest waists, men with the largest waists had a life expectancy that was three years shorter; for women, five years shorter. The elevated likelihood of dying early applied across the board, affecting even people with normal BMIs.

According to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, this “obesity paradox” is because BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle it is a flawed measure of heart risk. Waist size provides a far more accurate way to predict a patient’s chances of dying at an early age from a heart attack or other causes. BMI measurements are still important, but other considerations such as body shape and fat distribution should also be factored in.

Do you know your waist circumference? Here’s how to measure it:

Locate your hip bone on your abdomen.

Wrap a measuring tape around your body at this level. It should be snug but not pressing into your bare skin.

The tape should be parallel to the floor. Relax, exhale and read the measurement.

Being physically active, eating well and watching portions can make a positive impact on your waist and overall health. Discuss your health risks and goals with your medical provider.

10 Tips for Dining Out With High Blood Pressure

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Posted by Xavia Malcolm

Dining out is a treat we look forward to because we get to try new foods or indulge in our favorite cuisines. However, it is recommended that if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure to be mindful of the foods you pick from the menu. It is suggested that you stick to a diet that is low in saturated fats, does not contain MSG and has very little sodium or no added salt.

Nutritionists also advise that practicing the following tips when dining out will help in controlling blood pressure levels.

Choose appetizers with fruits or vegetables, instead of salty treats.
Ask for your food to be prepared without added salt or MSG.
Stay away from the saltshaker.
Select foods that are prepared using healthy cooking techniques such as grilling or steaming.
Avoid foods that are pickled, smoked or cured.
Cut away excess and visible fat from meats.
Avoid using butter or foods prepared with butter.
Limit sodium intake from condiments by using them sparingly or by asking that they be served on the side.
Steer clear of items that include cheese.
Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

If you have high blood pressure you can still enjoy restaurant meals and make healthy food choices by sticking to the preceding tips. In addition to eating healthy it is also important to remember to incorporate exercise into your daily routine and take medications as prescribed to help control your blood pressure.

What is White Coat Hypertension?

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Does the thought of having a physician take your blood pressure make you nervous? Anxiety over going to the doctor’s office can lead to an elevation in your blood pressure; a condition known as “white coat hypertension.”

White coat hypertension is a real condition that occurs when blood pressure readings at your doctor’s office are higher than they are in other settings, such as your home. The term white coat refers to the traditional white lab coat health care professionals wear in clinical settings.

The underlying cause of white coat hypertension is believed to be tension and stress associated with being examined by a physician. Not much attention was given to this condition since the blood pressure of patients returned to normal levels when taken in the home environment, where they feel more relaxed. Recent studies however have proven that people with white coat hypertension are twice as likely to develop true hypertension within a decade, compared to people with normal blood pressure levels.

How do you know if you have white coat hypertension and what should you do if you have it? The first step is for your doctor to have you monitor your blood pressure at home to see if it returns to normal levels. If it does, together, you and your doctor can decide whether to treat it or not. On one hand, if your blood pressure is normal during the rest of the day, taking blood pressure medications can lead to hypotension (low blood pressure). On the other hand, people with white coat hypertension might have elevated blood pressure during other stressful parts of the day. Many factors, such as age, family history, and the existence of other conditions will help the doctor make the right decision for you.

There are things that you can do to reduce your anxiety and stress before having your blood pressure checked by a health care professional. First, avoid drinking excessive amounts of water before checking your blood pressure because water can increase your reading. Also, do not participate in any physical activity before having your blood pressure taken. Excessive physical exertion will raise blood pressure. Lastly, avoid stressful situations and remain calm leading up to and during your visit to the doctor’s office.

If you think you have hypertension, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. If you do not have a primary care physician, call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 178-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Join us on Facebook.com/FlushingHospital or follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC for more tips on fitness and health.

Can Hypertension Lead to Dental Problems?

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Managing your high blood pressure with the appropriate medications is very important for your overall health, but sometimes those medications can negatively affect your dental health.

Often, medications that are used to treat hypertension can have side effects in the oral environment. Some of these medications can reduce the amount of saliva you produce, causing xerostomia, or dry mouth. Without the proper amount of saliva, the mouth can become irritated and inflamed. Dry mouth can also increase the risk of developing infection, gum disease, and the development of plaque, and therefore cavities.

Gum swelling or gingival overgrowth is another possible side-effect of medications used to treat high blood pressure. Gingival overgrowth occurs when gum tissue becomes so swollen that it begins to grow over the teeth. Swollen gum tissue creates a favorable environment for bacteria because plaque can easily get trapped underneath the gums, making it hard to brush and maintain good oral hygiene.

It is import to inform your dentist about any health conditions you have, and the medications you are taking. Good oral hygiene and more frequent visits to the dentist can help lower your chances of developing complications.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Department provides preventive dentistry programs to school children, as well as adults and seniors. Oral cancer screening programs are also frequently performed at all our community health fairs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5521.

What is White Coat Hypertension?

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

If you think you have hypertension, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. If you do not have a primary care physician, call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.