- Women's Health, Uncategorized, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn March 14, 2016, Kelly Huber suddenly felt strange. She had spent the day doing yard work when her symptoms hit: sore, tired arms and tight shoulders. “It wasn’t a normal hurt. It felt like I’d been hit by a truck,” says Kelly, who was just three days away from her 51st birthday. “My arms were exhausted. I could barely move them.” At first, Kelly tried to ignore the symptoms. She went inside and got her 8-year-old twin boys ready for bed. But she couldn’t get rid of the heavy feeling in her arms and shoulders, and began to feel extremely hot. She didn’t understand what was happening and became confused and concerned. Kelly’s husband insisted they go to AAMC’s emergency room near her home in Grasonville, Md. There, tests showed the last thing Kelly expected at her age: She was having a heart attack. Women and Heart Disease Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths every year. Source: The American Heart Association Heart Attack in the Making Kelly was no stranger to AAMC. When her twins were born three months early, she was by the boys’ side for seven long weeks in AAMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Teddy’s Place. Now it was her turn to be the patient. “The artery to the front of Kelly’s heart had a major blockage, which was causing her symptoms,” says Elizabeth Reineck, MD, interventional cardiologist with AAMC. Dr. Reineck reopened Kelly’s artery with a stent. To Kelly, the heart attack felt like it came out of nowhere. But in reality, it was years in the making. “If you looked at her 10-year risk of heart problems one month before she had her heart attack, it would have been very high,” says Kelley Sullivan, MD, Kelly’s post-operative cardiologist with AAMC. Kelly had high cholesterol and a family history of heart problems. Her father had triple bypass surgery before age 50, and her mother was diagnosed with severe heart disease. On top of that, in the span of seven years, Kelly gave birth to her boys prematurely, which left one of them blind; lost her mother; and became separated from her husband. “It was a lot to handle,” she says. A New Lease on Life Kelly’s heart attack was the icing on a bitter cake. “I was scared to death. I prayed, ‘I have little boys. Please let me make it so I can be here for them,’” she says. Her prayers were answered when she left the hospital three days later on her birthday. That was just the beginning of Kelly’s recovery story. Post-operative care would be a partnership between Kelly and her doctors. “Even if we can open up the blocked artery, you have to take medications for the rest of your life and follow up with a cardiologist regularly,” says Dr. Reineck. “As doctors, we can only do so much. To be successful moving forward, patients need to make positive lifestyle changes, too.” Kelly was determined to do whatever it took to succeed. For her, that meant taking prescribed medications, improving her diet and exercising more often. Because she was terrified of another heart attack, exercising was especially hard. “You worry,” she says. “Every little ping and pain feels like it’s your heart.” Fortunately, three months of cardiac rehab at AAMC helped her recover physically and emotionally. “Kelly came to us scared and nervous. She was afraid for her kids,” says cardiac nurse Shannon Adkins. Her therapy with Kelly included nutritional counseling and supervised exercise, such as walking on a treadmill while connected to a heart monitor. “Our goal was to make her feel better about doing things so that when she went back into the real world, she would feel more confident.” Kelly’s twins were by her side at most of her appointments. They supported her a few steps away from where she’d first supported them at their birth. “My boys are my little advocates. They are my biggest motivation for getting healthy,” Kelly says. “I’ve changed everything so I can be here to watch them grow up.” Find out how you can help bring cardiac surgery to AAMC. Contributors Elizabeth Reineck, MD, is an interventional cardiologist with AAMC. Kelley Sullivan, MD, is a cardiologist with AAMC.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) recently elected board officers for 2017-18. Gary Jobson, chair, is an author, world-class sailor and Emmy-winning television commentator. He is vice president of the International Sailing Federation and president of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. He has been involved in the health care community via various avenues throughout his career, including his personal experience facing disease, as well as serving on the boards of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Va., and the University of Maryland Medical System. Jobson has been involved in fundraising initiatives on behalf of the Leukemia Society and has served as chairman of the Leukemia Cup Regatta Series since 1994. Jobson currently serves on the boards of Anne Arundel Medical Center, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Fales-Committee, Friends of St. John’s College, Hope Funds for Cancer Research, National Sailing Hall of Fame, US Coast Guard Foundation, US Naval Academy and the US Sailing Foundation. John Belcher, vice chair, is the former chairman and CEO of Arinc, an Annapolis, Md.-based provider of transportation communications and systems engineering solutions to aviation, defense, aerospace, airports, rail and information technology customers in more than 150 countries globally. Belcher previously served on the AAMC Foundation board of directors for nine years, serving as chairman for three of those years. He also chaired the capital campaign “Care Like No Other.” He has served on the AAMC Board of Trustees for five years. Leisa Russell, treasurer, is the president of Russell Consulting, LLC. She has more than 30 years of extensive experience, including roles as chief financial officer and health care consultant. She currently serves as a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). Russell has been a member of the AAMC Board of Trustees for seven years. In addition to serving as treasurer, Russell was also appointed chair of the AAMC Finance Committee and will serve as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, as well. Jason Groves, secretary, is executive vice president and general counsel for Medifast, Inc. Previously, Groves spent ten years with Verizon. For most of his time there, Groves was the assistant vice president of Government Affairs for Verizon Maryland and was responsible for legislative policy and community affairs. Groves is an Army veteran and entered active duty as a direct commissioned Judge Advocate in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp (JAG) in 1997, where he also had the distinction of prosecuting criminal cases in the District Court of Maryland as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Groves has been a member of the AAMC Board of Trustees for eight years. He is also serves on the board for several other organizations.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogIt has been more than five years since coconut oil began its meteoric rise in the United States marketplace. However, there’s still much confusion about it. According to a 2016 survey published in the New York Times, 72 percent of Americans think coconut oil is healthy. Health claims about coconut oil range from reducing heart disease and reversing Alzheimer’s to promoting weight loss and preventing diabetes. But there is virtually no evidence to support the health hype. So where’s the disconnect? Most of the health benefits attributed to coconut oil are associated with its high content of medium-chain fatty acids, also called medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs. Your body absorbs or metabolizes these more efficiently than other fats. But that’s not the case when it comes to coconut oil. Mostly because the major MCT in coconut oil is lauric acid and, when processed in your body, lauric acid behaves as a long-chain saturated fatty acid or LCSFA. Your body has a more difficult time breaking these down and they are predominantly stored as fat. Coconut oil is 92 percent saturated fat. Saturated fat raises your LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol linked to heart disease. In comparison, butter is 64 percent saturated fat. While butter also raises your LDL cholesterol, it doesn’t to the extent of coconut oil. The American Heart Association recently updated its guidelines on fats to include the suggestion that people avoid saturated fats. There are many alternatives to substitute for coconut oil that has the opposite ratio of bad to good fats. A tablespoon of olive oil, for instance, has one gram of saturated fat while the same amount of coconut oil has 12 grams. Research right now supports the unsaturated fats found in olive oil, corn oil and vegetable oils as being healthier options. As with most things, consuming coconut oil is okay in moderation. But don’t believe the marketing hype that it’s a miracle cure. There is no strong scientific evidence to support health benefits from eating coconut oil. Now what to do with that coconut oil stocked in your pantry? There are still good uses for it. In small amounts you can try using it as massage oil, as moisturizer for your skin or as conditioner for your hair. While coconut oil can be super for these applications, it’s not a superfood. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published Aug. 7, 2017. Last updated Aug. 12, 2019.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen discussing women’s cancers, breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers often come to mind. However, lung cancer claims more lives among women in the United States than the combined mortality of these three. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to learn more about how to prevent lung cancer, as well as the symptoms that can be associated with it. Risk factors and prevention Over the past 20 years, lung cancer rates have increased in women. The exact reasons are unclear, but there are several possible explanations including hormones or increased exposure to secondhand smoke. Genetics also likely plays a role. Most lung cancer risk factors are environmental, such as smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to cancer-causing substances in the air and prior radiation treatment. A family history of lung cancer also puts you at higher risk of developing it. Doing your best to avoid environmental risk factors helps lower your risk of getting lung cancer: Don’t smoke; smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. To speak with a tobacco treatment specialist about quitting tobacco, please call 443-481-5366. Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid radon exposure in your home. Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil and water. Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air. You can order radon testing kits here. Avoid exposure to asbestos, a mineral used in many products including insulation and construction materials; its fibers can be inhaled or ingested. Symptoms, screening and treatment Unusual fatigue, weight loss, a persistent cough and/or coughing up blood, shortness of breath and wheezing are all symptoms of lung cancer. If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor right away and don’t hesitate to request a screening. Our experts recommend annual lung cancer screening starting at the age of 50-years-old for those who currently smoke, or have quit in the past 15 years. As with all cancers, earlier detection of lung cancer improves outcomes. Treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and IV treatments such as chemotherapy. There are also some patients who might be eligible for oral pills that can target the cancer specifically. Different treatments are sometimes used together, with a treatment plan tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient. In Conclusion The rise in lung cancer in women is concerning and more research is needed. Both men and women should talk to their doctor if they have any questions regarding lung cancer prevention or to see if they qualify for a lung cancer screening imaging test. Authors Feras Abdul Khalek, MD is an experienced medical oncologist at Luminis Health. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. He is also an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3Blog‘Tis the season to be jolly… and healthy! When you think of the holidays and health, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s all the food you intend on eating with your family. Or finally getting that gym membership you’ve been putting off. Or, maybe you don’t think these two terms go hand-in-hand at all. Well, they can. And they should! The holiday season is a great time to enjoy time with family and friends, celebrate life, be grateful and take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you. It’s also a time to appreciate the gift of health. As this year ends and the next one begins, we encourage you to think about health and how you can help others make this essential part of life a priority. Health is described as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” If you could take that sentence, put it in a box and wrap it as a gift to give to someone you love or care about, would you? Brighten this holiday season by giving the gift of health to loved ones. How? We asked our experts for their ideas on how you can accomplish this and here’s what they had to say: Together time. Especially for our older population, giving the gift of time and ensuring you schedule dates to see them can bring them a great deal of joy (more than you know). Go pay a visit to your grandparents, uncles or check out nearby nursing homes. Bring along young children or pets (if appropriate) when you visit. Health-tech gadgets. In an age where everything revolves around technology, this might just be one of the best gifts to give this holiday season. There’s an endless supply of devices on the market that you can give to a person you know who has been concerned about their health. Whether they’ve been experiencing heart palpitations, poor sleep or fatigue, capturing these episodes can help their doctor make a diagnosis. For example, think of a Fitbit, Apple Watch or an AliveCor Kardia heart monitor. Gym membership or sessions with a trainer. No more excuses! It’s time to make that one stop you’ve been postponing for months. The gym has all the necessary equipment for getting in shape. As we get older, weight training becomes important. But, if you’d rather do cardio, there are plenty of other options. The elliptical, stationary bike and rowing machine mitigate the amount of repetitive forces on the knees that come with long distance running, even on a treadmill. Training sessions, on the other hand, are helpful in that they are an appointment – you have someone expecting you to be there and have allotted a certain amount of time to a given task. Sign up for a heart-healthy cooking class. This is certainly a more creative option. You can prevent, or even essentially cure, many of the chronic diseases present in society today, including heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, through appropriate diet. A heart-healthy cooking class can show people how to make delicious and healthy foods on a budget. Get your own equipment. Don’t like the gym? Think about purchasing TRX straps, an ab mat or even a bike. These relatively low cost options still can give you a great workout while using just your body weight. Adopt (not buy) a dog! The benefits of having a pet, especially a dog, are myriad. There are benefits to blood pressure and stress levels. From an activity standpoint, a responsible dog owner will make sure his or her pooch gets enough exercise and in turn will get some exercise himself or herself. In this case, you are improving and saving two lives – yours and your new pal’s! When thinking of what to get family, friends and loved ones this year, prioritize their wellbeing. You’re providing them with the gift that keeps on giving – good health. Authors Baran Kilical, MD, cardiologist and electrophysiologist with Luminis Health Cardiology. Lil Banchero, senior director of the Institute for Healthy Aging at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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