National Stroke Awareness Month

National Stroke Awareness Month

Heart Disease, Heart Health

HEART NEWS

Stroke Awareness Month

Know the warning signs and talk with
your doctor about your risk of stroke

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke is an emergency – it can happen to anyone, at any time, and at any age. The National Stroke Association defines a stroke as “a brain attack.” Essentially, you have an instance where you’re losing blood flow to a part of the brain. Save a life by having a better understanding of stroke and by knowing what signs and symptoms to look for.
HEART NEWS

Stroke Awareness Month

Know the warning signs and talk with
your doctor about your risk of stroke

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke is an emergency – it can happen to anyone, at any time, and at any age. The National Stroke Association defines a stroke as “a brain attack.” Essentially, you have an instance where you’re losing blood flow to a part of the brain. Save a life by having a better understanding of stroke and by knowing what signs and symptoms to look for.

Know the signs, act FAST

Dr. Lance Sullenberger explained the warning signs for stroke, “The symptoms that we tell patients to look out for are: slurring of speech or the inability to find words, weakness on one side of the body, or facial droop. If you see someone experience any of those symptoms call 9-11 for medical help immediately.”

The National Stoke Association has spotlighted the common stroke symptoms and the importance of acting quickly when we observe them. Sullenberger stresses on how we need to be ready to act to fast when we see the signs. “Now the real goal is to get patients who are having an active stroke into the emergency room within three hours of the onset of the symptoms of that stroke. Because if they having a stroke due to a blood clot, it can be broken up with medication and the chance of them ending up in a nursing home or dying is much less if they receive the medication.”

Dr. Robert Benton explains how a stroke event is similar to a heart attack. “Essentially for both of them you have an instance where you’re losing blood flow to a part of the brain or the heart. That is the common finding in both of them. In the heart, usually, this is caused by a cholesterol plaque that has become inflamed, ruptures because you are smoking, or because you have high blood pressure, and there’s a blood clot that forms and blocks blood flow to the heart. When the heart muscle doesn’t get blood, it dies. The brain is similar in that you can have plaque in your brain but the brain is also susceptible to other findings, that would be emboli that fly either from your neck, clotting breaking off from the arteries or the aorta, or one of the common causes of stroke called, atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Causes of stroke

There are three main areas of stroke risk factors: lifestyle, medical, and genetics. Dr. Benton advises that we work with our doctor to identify our personal risk factors for stroke as we would with heart disease. “Heart attack and stroke can have very similar risk factors that lead to them. Smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle… all of those things can contribute to your risk.” Tobacco use and smoking double the risk of stroke when compared to a nonsmoker. Smoking increases clot formation, thickens blood, and increases the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries. “People can have a genetic pre-disposition to stroke: high blood pressure, arrhythmia, cholesterol levels, these things can be genetically programmed. Then you do yourself no big favor by smoking cigarettes, eating a poor diet, not exercising where you can compound your genetic disposition for stroke with poor or bad lifestyle choices. Those two factors really work together,” pointed out Benton.

Types of stroke

“There are different types of stroke, hemorrhagic (bleeding in the brain), embolic (a blood clot that travels),” says King. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common; only 15 percent of all strokes are hemorrhagic, but they are responsible for about 40 percent of all stroke deaths. They can occur as a cerebral aneurysm, a congenital malformation of the arteries in the brain that can rupture. “There is no way to know if you have an aneurysm or not. If it ruptures, you can have bleeding on the brain, and people can die from that. They would experience sudden severe headache, the bleeding in the brain, patients will say the worst headache of their life. It’s not a warning sign, that’s a symptom,” stated King.

The other form of stroke is called an ischemic stroke. This can happen when a sticky, fatty material called “plaque” builds up in a blood vessel in your brain. Plaque slows your blood flow. It may cause your blood to clot. This can stop the flow of blood completely. This kind of stroke can also happen when a clot travels to your brain from another part of your body, even if you don’t have plaque buildup in your vessels. The most common cause of this type of stroke is A-Fib (atrial fibrillation) when your heart has an abnormal rhythm that produces the opportunity for a clot to form in the left side of the heart, dislodge and travels up and through to the brain.

The other type of embolic stroke would be a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or some different kind of congenital hole in the right and left sides of the heart. “The sides of your heart are supposed to be separate; blood comes from the right side of the heart is pushed to the lungs. It comes to the left side of the heart and gets pushed through the body. When there is a hole between the two sides, clots form and can travel from one side to the other,” said King. Most patients with a PFO do not have any symptoms. However, the condition may play a role in migraine headaches and it increases the risk of stroke, transient ischemic attack and heart attack.

Advances in testing

For patients who present stroke symptoms: Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side. Confusion or trouble understanding other people. Difficulty speaking. Trouble seeing with one or both eyes. Problems walking, staying balanced, or loss of coordination. Dizziness. Severe headaches that come for no reason; there are testing procedures. “The only way to find the holes in the heart would be with an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, to evaluate to see if a PFO has formed,” said King. Echo tests are performed by specially trained technicians at Capital Cardiology Associates. The test is painless, has no side effects, and usually takes an hour. “Using an echocardiogram (ECG) we can inject ‘fizz’ essentially, a trace amount of agitated saline that we call a ‘Bubble Study.’ These tiny bubbles can be seen on an ECG moving across the septum,” King explained. An ECG allows a physician to view the heart’s structure and check how the heart functions.

The other test available is the Transcranial Doppler (TCD), a non-invasive ultrasound method used to examine the blood circulation within the brain. A specially trained technician at Capital Cardiology Associates Imaging Suite performs this test to determine the amount of blood flow to specific areas of your brain. “The main reason that we started doing this is to detect a shunt or a hole in the heart,” shared Dr. Jeffrey Uzzilia of Capital Cardiology. “Patients that had a stroke, one of the reasons why they had a stroke that is not obvious at the time, is they can have a hole in their heart where a blood clot can form somewhere in the body and cross through that hole from the right side of the heart to the left. Once that blood clot is on the left side of the body it can travel anywhere in the body, including the brain and cause a stroke. Something like a PFO that everyone is born with, for most people it will close, for about 25% of people it will stay open. The TDP is the most accurate, sensitive test to detect that. It’s a very easy thing to see. There’s a good portion of patients, like Luke Perry, that you are shocked as to how young they are when they have a massive stroke,” said Dr. Uzzilia.

Prevention is the best cure

The good news is, 80% of strokes can be prevented. “Strokes are as preventable as a heart attack and they are actually quite similar,” states Mary Ellen King, Nurse Practitioner at Capital Cardiology Associates. “With heart attacks people know eat a healthy diet, manage cholesterol, exercise and a stroke is the same thing.” Ultimately, regular visits with your healthcare provider will assess and monitor your risk for stroke. Most importantly if you are over the age of 60 and haven’t been checked for AFib, see your doctor. “Most people with AFib don’t feel it. We find it on an EKG. Or a pacemaker, heart monitor, or they are wearing their FitBit or Apple Watch, whatever it is, they notice their heart rate is jumping all over the place and it’s faster than what it used to be.” Early detection of stroke is the biggest element in prevention. “The time piece of identifying stroke is so important because the longer that part of the brain goes without blood and oxygen supply, the worse the outcome is. Unfortunately, people live through strokes but they can be very debilitating and life altering,” explained King.

Written by: Michael Arce, Capital Cardiology Associates
Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
Move More To Fight Heart Disease

Move More To Fight Heart Disease

Heart Disease, Heart Health

HEART HEALTH

Move More to
Fight Heart Disease

SET A GOAL OF 20 MINUTES
OF DAILY ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE
FOR A HEALTHY HEART

Move more. The American Heart Association has designated April as “Move More” month. They suggest a starting goal of 150 minutes a week. That breaks down to about 22 minutes a day. The activity can be light exercise or a workout, like a 20-minute walk during your lunch break. Pretty easy, right? This may sound simple (and it is) but adding activity time to your daily routine can also help you fight heart disease.

A 2018 British study published in the American Heart Association Journal, Circulation, reported that high fitness levels were linked to a 49% lower risk for coronary heart disease and a 60% lower risk for atrial fibrillation. Even for those with a family history of cardiovascular trouble. “The main message of this study is that genetic risk isn’t deterministic,” says Erik Ingelsson, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine and lead author of the UK study. “Even if your parents died early of heart disease, you can reduce your risk to the level of someone with no family history of the disease by increasing your fitness.”

The study examined 482,702 people in England, Scotland and Wales who participated in a research project known as UK Biobank, which recruited participants between 40 and 69 years old. Researchers followed the participants for about a decade, tracking activity and exercise through questionnaires, grip strength measurements and other tests. They found that regular exercise can help level the playing field for people with a family history of the disease.

PATIENT EDUCATION

HeartTalk on WGY

Listen to how you can get 20 minutes of daily activity and exercise – for every level of personal fitness!

If you have a history of heart disease in your family you might want to think twice about passing on the invite to join someone for a walk.

It’s really not that hard to fit in fitness. Every time you stand up and do something, you’re taking a step in the right direction. Every minute you move adds up, so make your me-time count! When you’re bored or frustrated, or just have some time to kill, go for a walk. It’s an excellent way to clear your mind and re-energize. Try a fitness tracking app or device to remind you to do something active several times a day. Looking to power up? When you’re out walking or biking, throw in some short, one-minute intervals at a faster pace to boost the intensity for more health benefits.

Move More at Work

Science shows that being more physically active has many benefits for your heart, brain and overall well-being. Take advantage of all your opportunities to sit less and move more while you work. Make it a habit to take the stairs instead of the elevator, for at least a floor or two. Once it gets easier, add another floor. Ask a coworker to be your “workout at work” partner. Remind and support each other to move more throughout the day. You’ll help keep each other accountable and motivated! Schedule physical activity breaks and reminders on your work calendar — and treat them like any other important appointment or meeting.

Move More Outdoors

You don’t have to go to a gym to get fit. Being active outdoors can make exercise seem more like play, which may help you enjoy it more. Plan family outings that include physical activity, like hiking, canoeing, or swimming. Even a simple trip to the park can get you all up and moving. Get your garden on! Gardening, mowing, and yard work is a great way to get active outdoors. No yard? No problem. Try container gardening or a local community garden with Capital Roots.

Move More at Home

Finding ways to be more active around the house sets a good example for kids and can even help you stay on top of housework! The goal is to sit less, move more and add intensity. Every minute you move adds up, make your time at home count. Clearing the table, walking the dog, washing the car, taking the trash out, folding laundry, vacuuming, and unloading the dishwasher are all good ways to get your family up off the couch – and get the chores done. Tune into fitness during TV time. Walk or jog in place or work out with weights while you watch your favorite shows. Challenge each other to see who can do the most burpees, push-ups, or jumping jacks during commercial breaks or in between episodes. Instead of always having the TV on for company or background noise, play music that inspires you to get up and move. Add intensity by repeating movements. For example, before settling down in a seat, do some chair squats by sitting and standing several times in a row.

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Walking. Running. Bike riding. Anything you can do to increase your heart rate for 150 minutes a week with exercise or activity that increases your muscle strength and helps reduce your risk of heart disease.
Are E-Cigarettes Safe For Your Heart

Are E-Cigarettes Safe For Your Heart

Heart Disease, Heart Health

Are E-Cigarettes Safe For Your Heart?

Connecting tobacco to heart disease

Since 1965 Americans have been warned of the dangers of smoking. According to 2014 Surgeon General’s Report on The Health Consequences of Smoking, the Surgeon General’s warning labels on tobacco products was effective in lowering deaths from cardiovascular disease over the last 54 years. While smoking rates amount adults and teens are less than half of what they were in 1964, 42 million American adults and about 3 million middle and high school studies continue to smoke today. Federal data shows that tobacco continues to be the most deadly legal drug our country faces claiming nearly half a million deaths each year.

Every year on May 31st, the World Health Organization promotes World No Tobacco Day. This year’s focus is “tobacco and heart disease.” According to Dr. Robert Benton, Clinical Research Director at Capital Cardiology Associates, smoking is one of the most powerful risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease. “If you had to look at the one modifiable risk factor that people can take charge of in their lives, it would be to stop smoking,” says Benton. Studies that date back to the 1940’s show that smoking as little as one cigarette a day impacts your cardiovascular health.

As Americans began searching for the easy or effective methods to quit smoking beyond nicotine replacement gum or patches, e-cigarettes and vaping technology arrived on the market. Billed as an alternative to cigarette smoking, e-cigarettes are considered tobacco products because most of them contain nicotine, which comes from tobacco. E-cigarettes have become very popular with young people since 2011. Their use, known as vaping, has grown dramatically in the last five years.

Until recently, the dangers of e-cigarette smoke has been unknown due to the lack of long-term safety data of the potential harm or benefit. In January, the National Academy of Sciences published a study where researches linked e-cigarette smoke to DNA damage in the lungs, bladders, and hearts of mice. Although this study was all done on mice, the researchers state that their findings have implications for humans as well.

Moon-shong Tang, Ph.D., professor of environmental medicine at New York University and one of the study’s authors, told The Guardian that while they’re beginning to work on long-term experiments to prove their theory, “The results may take years to come in because cancer is such a slow process.”

Get More Heart Health News

Read More

Locally, Dr. Lance Sullenberger, Co-Medical Director of the Cardiovascular CT Scanning Suite at Capital Cardiology Associates, cautions our community on the dangers of smoking. “We see patients every day who are smokers who do have adverse outcomes. Problems like: heart attack, or stents, or by pass surgery. Many of these cardiac patients end up stopping smoking after their heart attack or heart surgery. What we would like to see as your cardiologist are changes in your lifestyle before your cardiac event happens.” His advice for heavy smokers who are considering using e-cigarettes as a method of quitting, “If your using e-cigarettes to step down from smoking, I think its acceptable. I certainly don’t encourage people to use e-cigarettes who aren’t smoking. E-cigarettes certainly do not eliminate all of the adverse effects of nicotine addiction or other respiratory problems that come with inhaling chemicals deep into your lungs.”

We can expect more research and regulation on e-cigarettes in the coming years. The Food and Drug Administration was granted the process of regulating the tobacco market in 2009. Their goal is to have e-cigarette manufacturers submit product information, like tobacco companies, to protect the public’s health. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has said he is open to exploring whether e-cigarettes can help people quit traditional cigarettes, alongside the other actions the agency will take. Last year the agency extended the deadline by four years for e-cigarette manufacturers to submit applications for products that went on the market after February 2007.

Written by: Michael Arce, Media Specialist
Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
National Walking Day

National Walking Day

Heart Health

HEART HEALTH

Go Outside and Walk for
30 Minutes Today

Fight heart disease with the best exercise

The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day. The American Heart Association sponsors this day to remind people about the health benefits of taking a walk, encouraging us all to take a 30-minute break from our day to walk.
Capital Cardiology Associates, Director of Clinical Research, Dr. Robert Benton recently spoke about the benefits of walking for cardiac patients. “One of the best exercises for people is to walk. It’s an activity that people can get started easily and it has the highest record for people being able to continue it. Often times we stop doing an exercise out of boredom but walking is one of those exercises that you can do and have high success rate.”

Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, elevate your mood and reduce your risk of osteoporosis, cancer and diabetes.

Join us for our next Walk With A Doc

Follow us on Facebook
LEARN MORE

Since 2011, Dr. Benton and fellow Capital Cardiology Associates physician Dr. Scott Morris, along with two clinical nurses, have participated in the “Walk With A Doc” program in Troy. Walk with a Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio who invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.

Locally the walks happen on the second Saturday of the month in the Robison Gym on the campus of Sage College during the winter or outdoors on the Troy Riverfront Park path near the Troy Farmers Market in the warm months. Registration begins at 7:30AM, walking starts at 8AM. Whether rain, snow, or sunshine you can enjoy a one-hour walk. “All you need is a good pair of sneakers, are walking on a nice surface that you are not going to trip on. It’s a very social activity that you can enjoy with other people! We talk about sports and politics, life… people get to know each other,” adds Benton.

L to R: walker, Dr. Robert Benton, walker, and Dr. Scott Morris.
Written by: Michael Arce, Social Media Specialist, Capital Cardiology Associates ® 2018
American Heart Month

American Heart Month

Announcements, Heart Disease, Heart Health

HEART MONTH

Your Heart. Your Choice.

February is American Heart Month

FIVE SIMPLE STEPS TO FIGHT HEART DISEASE

HeartLine on NewsChannel 13

Capital Cardiology Associates and WNYT are teaming up to have your heart-health questions answered! Tune in to NewsChannel 13 on Wednesday, February 2nd from 4 PM-6:30 PM to have your calls answered by our physicians and cardiac care team during this special LIVE broadcast!

This year marks the 58th American Heart Month. On December 30, 1963, President Johnson signed a proclamation, establishing the month of February as a way to remind Americans to focus on their heart health and encourage their families, friends, and communities to build a culture of healthy living. In 1963, more than half of the deaths in the United States were caused by cardiovascular disease.

Today heart disease is the number one cause of death in our country. One of the biggest contributors to this statistic is the lack of commitment to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Capital Cardiology Associates encourages Capital Region residents to join the movement; make one change in your diet or lifestyle this month to fight heart disease for life.

To help we have identified five simple steps you can take that will have a lasting effect on your heart’s health.

Eat Smart

The easiest path to a heart-healthy diet is to avoid junk food. Not having a prepared meal, not having enough protein in your diet, or “boredom” are reasons we hit up the drive-thru line, snack machine for a candy bar, or include a bag of chips when we sit down to watch TV. Healthy eating starts at home, this includes planning your family meals before grocery shopping, balancing your ingredients throughout the day, and keeping your kitchen stocked with healthy snack options (fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins).

Add Color

Aim to include fruits and vegetables to your snacks and meals. Nutrient-rich “color” can be canned, dried, fresh, or frozen and there are a ton of ways to “sneak” or add these colors to your plate. One myth about healthy eating is that is expensive: many fruits and veggies cost less than $1 per serving. Cooking with fruits and vegetables brings out natural flavors and sweetness, allowing you to cut back on salt or sugary sauces.

Move More

Do you have a daily goal of activity or exercise? The American Heart Association recommends we try to have at least 150 minutes of activity a week. Years ago we were urged to “take the stairs” at work. Would you believe that walking up and down just ONE flight of stairs burns almost 10 calories? In contrast, standing in the elevator burns about 1 or 2 calories. Today, with new wearable fitness gadgets or our smartphones, we can track our progress throughout the day. Your phone can also be used to track your steps or measure your movement, keeping you active and accountable to your goals.

Taking the stairs, going for walks around the building during work, or just remembering to stand and move for a few minutes every hour — they may seem small compared to a workout or fitness class but committing time to be active every day can change your life.

Know Your Numbers

The American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and nine other groups redefined high blood pressure guidelines in 2017. These new numbers, as explained by Capital Cardiology Associates, Dr. Lance Sullenberger, “Lowered what was considered to be a top normal blood pressure from 140 over 90 to 130 over 80. Readings between the 130 to 140 range for the top number, 80 to 90 for the bottom number, were previously considered to be normal but now are indicative of needing medical therapy. The reason this important is because controlling blood pressure is key in long term prevention of stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.”

Several local pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens offer free blood pressure testing machines. Regular tests with your doctor should be included in your appointments. Make sure you know your numbers and follow your doctor’s advice on how to stay in your target range.

Be Well

When was the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Getting quality sleep not only recharges your batteries, but it’s key in keeping your diet on track, your mood in line, as well as helping with your memory and reducing stress levels. The easiest way to make sure you get enough sleep is by setting a bedtime.

Apple introduced the Bedtime feature on the iPhone in 2016. Bedtime lets you pick your ideal time to go to sleep and a time to wake-up, along with monitoring how well you slept through the night. It provides graphs in the morning and adds this data to the Health app so that you can see your habits over time.

Whether you use your phone, set your TV to sleep, or have your partner or spouse remind you at night: consistency is the key. 

Eat Smart

The easiest path to a heart-healthy diet is to avoid junk food. Not having a prepared meal, not having enough protein in your diet, or “boredom” are reasons we hit up the drive-thru line, snack machine for a candy bar, or include a bag of chips when we sit down to watch TV. Healthy eating starts at home, this includes planning your family meals before grocery shopping, balancing your ingredients throughout the day, and keeping your kitchen stocked with healthy snack options (fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins).

Add Color

Aim to include fruits and vegetables to your snacks and meals. Nutrient-rich “color” can be canned, dried, fresh, or frozen and there are a ton of ways to “sneak” or add these colors to your plate. One myth about healthy eating is that is expensive: many fruits and veggies cost less than $1 per serving. Cooking with fruits and vegetables brings out natural flavors and sweetness, allowing you to cut back on salt or sugar sauces.

Move More

Do you have a daily goal of activity or exercise? The American Heart Association recommends we try to have at least 150 minutes of activity a week. Years ago we were urged to “take the stairs” at work. Would you believe that walking up and down just ONE flight of stairs burns almost 10 calories? In contrast, standing in the elevator burns about 1 or 2 calories. Taking the stairs, going for walks around the building during work, or just remembering to stand and move for a few minutes every hour — they may seem small compared to a workout or fitness class but committing time to be active every day can change your life.

Know your Numbers

The American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and nine other health groups redefined high blood pressure guidelines in 2017. These new numbers, as explained by Capital Cardiology Associates, Dr. Lance Sullenberger, “lowered what was considered to be a top normal blood pressure from 140 over 90 to 130 over 80. Readings between the 130 to 140 range for the top number, 80 to 90 for the bottom number, were previously considered to be normal but now are indicative of needing medical therapy. The reason this important is because controlling blood pressure is key in long term prevention of stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.”

Several local pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens offer free blood pressure testing machines. Regular tests with your doctor should be included in your appointments. Make sure you know your numbers and follow your doctor’s advice on how to stay in your target range.

Be Well

When was the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Getting quality sleep not only recharges your batteries, but it’s key in keeping your diet on track, your mood in line, as well as helping with your memory and reducing stress levels. The easiest way to make sure you get enough sleep is by setting a bedtime.

Apple introduced the Bedtime feature on the iPhone in 2016. Bedtime lets you pick your ideal time to go to sleep and a time to wake-up, along with monitoring how well you slept through the night. It provides graphs in the morning and adds this data to the Health app so that you can see your habits over time.

Whether you use your phone, set your TV to sleep, or have your partner or spouse remind you at night: consistency is the key. 

Eat Smart, Add Color, Move More, Know Your Numbers, and Be Well — one change in your lifestyle in these areas during American Heart Month will have a lasting effect on your heart’s health for years.

Good luck this month, and here’s to a healthy heart for life!