- Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHeart disease affects more than one in three women and is the leading cause of death for females, according to the American Heart Association. The risk of heart disease increases for everyone with age, but for women that risk rises significantly after menopause starts. A natural part of aging, menopause can bring about changes that feel anything but natural. Most women enter this stage, marked by the end of menstruation and then a decline in estrogen, between 50 to 54 years of age. During this time, symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and fatigue, leading to a new reality full of both emotional and physical changes. Estrogen is a complex, naturally occurring hormone responsible for many functions, like adding vital strength and flexibility to the arteries in the body, including those of the heart. A drop in estrogen can cause several different bodily reactions that don’t bode well for heart health. In fact, the rate of heart attacks dramatically increases in women about 10 years after menopause starts. Menopause can play a part in several risk factors related to heart disease: Higher blood pressure. The blood vessels and heart become stiff and less elastic. High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts added strain on the heart. Higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A drop in estrogen can lead to increased levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL), while “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels decrease or stay the same. Triglycerides are a component of body fat that can increase with menopause. Weight gain. Metabolism slows with age and a decline in estrogen, making women more prone to weight gain. Diabetes. After menopause, women become more resistant to insulin, a hormone needed to convert carbohydrates into energy for the body to use. This higher risk of diabetes puts women at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. The good news is going through menopause does not make you helpless against heart problems. There are plenty of simple, effective steps you can take to combat or slow down its effects. It should come as no surprise that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential to having a healthy heart. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of weekly exercise, which translates to working out for thirty minutes, five days a week. Aerobic fitness classes, swimming, brisk walks, jogging, dancing, hiking and biking are a few physical activities you can do to keep your heart healthy. Regular exercise will speed up your metabolism, and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you have a smartphone, you already have access to free fitness apps to give you a gym-quality workout in the comfort of your home or office. Create a diet plan full of whole and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, unsalted nuts and fatty fish, like salmon and tuna. Limit red meat and avoid food and drinks that are high in added sugar. And if you smoke, you’ll be doing your heart (and the rest of your body) a potentially life-saving favor by quitting. Regular doctor appointments are also important for a healthy heart. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference. As women get older, their risk for heart disease inevitably increases. Staying active, eating nutritious foods and removing unhealthy habits packs a triple punch by lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and creating a stronger heart. As your body enters a new stage of life, adapting your lifestyle is a great way to stay heart healthy. Author Sadia Shafi, MD, a cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her office, call 410-224-0040. Originally published Aug. 29, 2016. Last updated Feb. 7, 2019.0
- Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHeart attack symptoms in women are different than in men, says Elizabeth Reineck, MD, interventional cardiologist with AAMC. Heart Attack Symptoms in Women and Men Chest pain Heart Attack Symptoms in Women Shortness of breath Nausea Jaw pain Weakness Back pain “Women don’t always have the classic ‘there’s an elephant sitting on my chest’ pain,” says Dr. Reineck. “So if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Come in and have it checked out.” Some women show no symptoms at all. So it’s important to pay attention to five traditional risk factors, says Kelley Sullivan, MD, cardiologist with AAMC: A family history of early heart disease (before age 60) Smoking High cholesterol High blood pressure Diabetes and/or obesity Read one woman’s heart attack survival story. Authors Elizabeth Reineck, MD, is an interventional cardiologist with AAMC. Kelley Sullivan, MD, is a cardiologist with AAMC. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Feb. 1, 2019.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLots of things can affect your mood. The types of foods you eat are no exception. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is important to your general health, as well as your mental and emotional health. So can you eat your way to a better mood? Research suggests eating the following foods just might help: Strawberries This delicious berry is high in vitamin C, which has immune- and mood-boosting power. Research shows the antioxidants in these berries can decrease symptoms of depression. Oats Oats are an effective mood booster. Oats contain selenium which provides additional mood-boosting properties by regulating the function of the thyroid gland. Almonds and Walnuts These nuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, proven to ward off depression. Research shows many nuts can decrease dopamine levels in the brain, leading to a calm, balanced feeling. A serving a day can help with focus, memory and alertness. Spinach This dark leafy green is filled with folic acid, magnesium and other antioxidants linked to good moods. Magnesium helps with the production of serotonin, which is a natural chemical in your body responsible for feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Greek Yogurt Greek yogurt is an excellent source of dairy, rich in protein and vitamin D. Eating protein can raise levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two mood boosting neurotransmitters (or chemical messengers) in your brain. Greek yogurt also contains probiotics which can help with digestion. Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate can have positive effects on brain endorphins, which bring feelings of pleasure. Dark chocolate covered almonds, for instance, sound like a scrumptious, mood-boosting option! Asparagus This vegetable is a great source of tryptophan, which plays a role in the production of serotonin. Serotonin can affect things like your mood, digestion and sleep. Asparagus also contains a high level of folate, a natural vitamin proven to ward off depression. Research shows up to 50 percent of people who suffer from depression have low folate levels. Preparing a delicious and satisfying meal comes first—it’s an important step in getting the intended mood-boosting benefits. Try to incorporate a variety of foods you like along with some new ones that are known to boost your mood. Here is a quick and easy smoothie recipe to improve your mood in a tasty fashion. Ingredients: ½ cup oats 5 walnuts 1 banana ¼ cup blueberries 1 ½ cups skim milk (or nut milk, if you’re intolerant) Instructions: Add all ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy! 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 March 6, 2017. Last updated Sept. 17, 2025.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has received the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Apex Recognition Award for demonstrating continued best practices in respiratory care. AAMC is the only Maryland hospital to receive the award. The AARC Apex Recognition Award was developed in 2017 as a way for the AARC Board to recognize respiratory care departments that demonstrate high quality care. Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has received the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Apex Recognition Award. “We are proud to be among an elite group of respiratory care teams from across the U.S. to receive this award,” said Lenard Nyangwara, director of pulmonary and neurodiagnostic services at AAMC. “As a vital component of a well-rounded health care team, respiratory therapists work hard each day to deliver quality patient care,” said Thomas Kallstrom, AARC executive director/CEO. “The specialized services and skills unique to respiratory care departments provide the necessary foundation for the total patient experience. We are thrilled to honor these organizations as Apex Recognition Award recipients.” The AARC is dedicated to supporting the respiratory care profession. The award program distinguishes organizations for their commitment to excellence in professional development, evidence-based care, patient safety, patient satisfaction and quality improvement. The Apex Recognition Award includes five categories for recognition: acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, home medical equipment (HME) companies, entry-level educational programs, and dedicated transport teams.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNutrition information seems to change daily, leaving most consumers confused. Can sugar harm your heart? Are eggs in or out? Is caffeine good or bad? The media leap to publicize the latest study, contributing to the confusion. Unfortunately, news stories do not usually investigate the limitations of the research or explain the complexity of the findings. There are a few reasons why the outcomes of nutrition research can be misunderstood or flawed. We cannot isolate a nutrient’s effect In the past, nutrition research emphasized the role of a single nutrient acting as a magic bullet to miraculously prevent disease or the sole agent responsible for the development of disease. We can get so focused on the health benefits of a certain vitamin or phytochemical that we miss an important point: Different components in a single food can work together to benefit our health, and so can components in different foods eaten together. This is referred to as “food synergy.” One example of how different nutrients and components in food work together is the pairing of broccoli with tomatoes. In a study published in 2004 in the Journal of Nutrition, prostate tumors grew much less in rats fed tomatoes and broccoli than in rats who ate diets containing broccoli alone or tomatoes alone, or diets that contained cancer-fighting substances (like lycopene) that had been isolated from tomatoes or broccoli. The bottom line: A lycopene supplement may not hurt, but the whole tomato will probably help more. And a tomato eaten with broccoli may be even better. Nutritional relationships are complex and it seems that Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she created plant foods—the natural state is the best package. Data is flawed Data collection for nutrition studies is flawed because people do not report accurately in studies relying on this type of data. We tend to underestimate what we eat, but even more fundamentally, we don’t remember what we ate to report it back. Additionally when we eat out, we don’t know what ingredients were in the food or how it was prepared. As Marion Nestle, a prominent nutritionist says in her book Food Politics, “The most intellectually demanding challenge in the field of nutrition is to determine food intake.” Finally, in studies comparing one diet to another, it is not always possible to control what people eat. In a study comparing a group eating a low-fat diet to control group eating typical diet higher in fat, those in the low-fat group cheated and ended up eating a higher-fat diet than the researchers recorded, while those in the control group (normal diet) lowered their fat intake voluntary, perhaps because the study made them aware of it. In the end, unbeknownst to the researchers, the two groups were not far apart in the amount of fat they were eating. Hence, it was not surprising the “low-fat diet” group didn’t show any health benefits. Genetics play a role Another surprising variable in nutritional research is genetic difference among the participants studied. These differences can impact how individuals digest and use nutrients in food. Sometimes, when a study of a nutrient shows a difference only in a small number of people, it could be due to individual metabolic differences. We cannot isolate the metabolism of a food from the entire makeup of the person eating it. While individual studies may give different data about a particular nutrient, the value of a healthy diet is not in doubt. Repeatedly, studies show good food choices have a positive impact on health and poor diets have negative long-term effects. Let food be your medicine, to deliver the nutrients you need to perform, maintain function, and fight disease. American diets that mimic the USDA’s “My Plate” have a lower incidence of major chronic diseases. To look for well-founded nutrition information, visit www.nih.gov and www.eatright.org. For additional tips, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. To learn more about nutrition services at Anne Arundel Medical Center, visit AskAAMC.org/nutrition. 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 Nov. 16, 2015. Last updated Jan. 23, 2019.0
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