- Community, Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen it comes to knowing your risk for heart disease – the number one killer in the U.S. – understanding your blood pressure numbers is the best place to start. Numbers higher than 120/80 are a warning sign that hypertension may be at work damaging your blood vessels and making your heart work harder than it should. In many cases, lifestyle changes can help bring your blood pressure under control and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Even better, making these changes will also reduce your risk of developing other conditions and improve your overall health. 1. Stop smoking Quitting smoking is the most powerful thing you can do on your own to lower blood pressure and improve your overall health since every cigarette you smoke causes a temporary increase in your blood pressure and heart rate. In fact, did you know that just 20 minutes after you smoke your last cigarette, your health starts improving? Anyone who’s tried to quit knows it’s hard. But having the right support can help. At Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), we’re here to help you quit smoking or using other tobacco products. You can contact the LHAAMC smoking cessation program (443-481-5366 or 443-481-5367) for more resources. 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or SmokingStopsHere.com, also provides a free service by phone or online that offers counseling and free smoking cessation medications mailed to your home. 2. Find the right approach to eating The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet as the best way to control blood pressure. It’s a clean, whole food eating approach based on reducing certain types of foods and increasing others. The DASH diet recommends loading up on: Foods high in potassium and magnesium, such as beans and leafy greens Fruits and vegetables Lean proteins Low-fat, low-sugar dairy Whole grains It also recommends cutting back on: Added sugars, often hiding with names ending in “ose” (fructose, sucrose, maltose, dextrose), or as syrup (corn syrup, rice syrup) Alcohol Processed and packaged foods such as deli meats and bacon, canned soup, frozen meals, chips, snacks and cookies Saturated fats 3. Get to and maintain a healthy weight Being overweight strains the heart and increases your risk for high blood pressure. Extra pounds can also cause sleep apnea, which can also play a role in elevating your blood pressure. Weight loss is one of the most effective ways to lower your blood pressure: Losing even 10 pounds can make a difference, and reduce your risk for other health problems, too. 4. Keep moving Regular exercise strengthens your heart, helping it pump with less effort and lowering your blood pressure. But don’t assume you have to run a marathon to earn the benefits of exercise. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes a week: That’s just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, five times a week. Walking, cycling, jogging, dancing and swimming are all great examples of moderate physical activities that can get your heart pumping harder. Strength training and flexibility exercises can lower blood pressure and improve your overall health, too. And don’t forget simple, everyday activities either, such as: Completing household chores Doing yard work Parking at the far end of the parking lot Taking the stairs, whenever possible If you haven’t been exercising, ease into it and talk with your doctor if you have medical conditions that might limit the amount and type of exercise you do. 5. Limit your sodium intake Sodium (salt) is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to raising blood pressure. While it doesn’t impact everyone, if you’re trying to lower your blood pressure without medication, reducing the amount of salt in your diet may help. Like sugars, sodium can be surprisingly high in many foods — and processed, packaged and restaurant foods are well-known culprits. Read labels and focus on eating whole, less processed foods. Classic examples of high sodium food would include chips, processed meats and almost all foods from Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Indian and fast food restaurants. Try to minimize your exposure to these as much as possible. The American Heart Association recommends adults with hypertension limit sodium intake to 1500 mg or less a day. 6. Reduce stress Researchers aren’t sure how stress affects blood pressure long term. But they do know that too often, people turn to unhealthy food, smoking or alcohol to deal with stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Commit to finding a healthier way to cope with stress that works for you. Here are a few, stress-busting examples: Listen to music Meditate Practice and express gratitude Relax with an activity you enjoy Try Yoga 7. Work with your doctor If you find out you have or are at risk for developing high blood pressure, work with your doctor to develop a plan to manage it. Partnering with your doctor is key to getting and keeping blood pressure under control. Do your part by: Educating yourself about high blood pressure Learning how to monitor your blood pressure at home Taking ownership of your treatment Lifestyle changes are often enough to get and keep blood pressure under control. But some people need medication along with lifestyle changes. It’s important to take medication exactly as your doctor prescribes – no missed doses or days. Authors Waseem Hussain, MD, is a physician with Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. Jennifer Brady, MD, is a cardiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group Cardiology Specialists.0
- Behavioral Health, Lung CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe back-to-school seasons brings excitement—from new teachers to new backpacks. But amid the preparation, it’s also a key moment to have honest conversations with your teen about the risks of vaping and using marijuana. First, a reality check: In Maryland, 14% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 30 days, according to the latest health data. While teen experimentation can be common, it doesn’t make it safe. That’s why it’s important to talk to your kids early and often. Sharing facts, not fear, can help them make informed, healthy choices. Marijuana’s impact on teenagers Marijuana is legal in Maryland, so it’s safe, right? Not for teens. Their brains are still developing and regular marijuana use can interfere with that growth in serious ways. Potential effects on children and adolescents include: Difficultly solving problems Impaired memory Poor physical coordination Slower reaction time Trouble focusing Increased irritability Increased risk of psychosis Interference with prescribed medication Still not convinced? Research shows that teens who start using pot before the age of 18 are seven times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder later in life—a condition where a person struggles to stop using marijuana, even when it negatively affects their health, school, or relationships. Vaping is more smoke and mirrors Vaping has become increasingly popular among young people. It’s often cheaper than cigarettes, comes in appealing flavors, and is heavily promoted on social media—which can make it especially attractive to teens. Many people assume that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking tobacco. But the reality is more complicated: Nicotine is still addictive. Most vapes contain nicotine—a highly addictive substance that can harm brain development in teens and increase the risk of future substance use. Harmful chemicals are still present. Vaping aerosols contain toxic substances like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein—chemicals linked to lung damage and cancer risk. Lung injury is real. Vaping has been linked to serious lung illnesses, including EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), which has led to hospitalizations and even deaths. Unknown long-term effects. Because vaping is relatively new, the full long-term health impacts are still unknown, but early research shows cause for concern. Tips for talking to teens about vaping and marijuana Having these conversations with your teen can feel uncomfortable at first. Here are some tips to get you started: Start early, talk often. Short, regular check-ins feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation. Lead with curiosity, not accusations. Ask open-ended questions: “What have you heard about vaping?” “How do kids get e-cigarettes?” Use facts, not fear. Share concrete data (e.g., nicotine addiction, lung injury, impaired brain development) instead of scare tactics. Connect to their goals. Explain how vaping or cannabis can hurt sports performance, concentration for classes, or driving safety. Model healthy coping skills. Discuss stressbusters such as exercise, music and journaling so nicotine or THC isn’t the default escape. Practice exit lines. Roleplay ways to say “no thanks” when offered a vape or joint (e.g., “I’ve got practice tomorrow,” “I’m good—don’t want the hassle”). Keep communication twoway. Listen without interrupting; validate feelings even if you disagree. Teens are more receptive when they feel heard. Set clear expectations and consequences. Explain family rules (e.g., no vaping, alcohol, or marijuana before 21) and what happens if they’re broken. Stay alert to peer influence and online marketing. Ask about social media trends or friends who vape; discuss how ads target teens. Revisit the topic. Trends, products, and pressures change quickly; schedule regular “checkins” rather than oneanddone talks. How Luminis Health can help Parenting can be tough, but you’re not alone. Luminis Health mental health providers, with expertise in adolescent care, have already laid the ground work. Through funding from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, behavioral health education and support services have been successfully delivered in six high schools in Prince George’s County. The program—developed in close partnership with local schools—has demonstrated meaningful impact in supporting student well-being. Due to its success, the state has renewed funding for the upcoming school year following a highly competitive grant process. This continued investment underscores the importance of school-based behavioral health initiatives and the strength of collaborative community partnerships. If you or your children need additional support, the Behavioral Health Urgent Care walk-in clinic at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham offers treatment for non-life- threatening mental health needs for ages four and up. No appointment is necessary. Thanks to the state grant, we will expand our hours later this fall to include weeknights and Saturdays. Authors Dr. Jesselina Curry is the system medical director for ambulatory behavioral health services at Luminis Health. Supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, the views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the Commission or Consortium.0
- Community, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery May we honor a special holiday to celebrate motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of women in society. To celebrate all the wonderful women in our community and beyond, we asked some AAMC employees to share the biggest lessons they still carry from the women who have inspired them. Here’s what they had to say: Chad M. Patton, MD, orthopedic surgeon: “My mother taught me that kindness, patience and listening to others goes a long way. My brothers and I are all physicians, and these lessons undoubtedly influence our approach to patient care.” Jennifer Brady, MD, cardiologist: “I learned from my mom at an early age that while receiving a gift gives instant gratification, the euphoria is short-lived. On the other hand, giving a gift provides a sense of satisfaction that remains for a long time and shapes how we feel about ourselves. My mom needed to draw upon her strengths when at the age of 45 she was diagnosed with a large tumor, which required extensive surgery. The courageous way she endured the arduous process gave me a perspective that has been extremely helpful as a clinician. I am grateful every day to my mom for being such an incredible role-model.” Kwasi Sharif, MD, pain management physician: “As a registered dietitian nutritionist, my mom has instilled in me the values of healthy eating and exercise. My habits today include exercising at least three times a week and obtaining at least seven hours of sleep each day.” Joseph Morris, MD, OB-GYN hospitalist: “I lost my dad when I was 12. My mom raised three boys, ages 12, 15 and 17, by herself. All of us went on to become physicians in large part from the lessons we learned from her. One lesson in particular that I remember is that if you want a good friend, be 75 percent of the friend.” Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, pediatrician: “The piece of advice that I learned from my mother is always stand up for what is right, even if it is not the popular opinion. Growing up, my mother regularly reminded me to do the right things and not to worry about whether I was liked by others because of it. Those who respected me for doing the right thing were the ones I would want to surround myself with. As a pediatrician, taking care of children can be difficult some days, but doing the right thing for them is always worth it.” Jo Deaton, senior director, behavioral health: “One of the most influential people in my life has been my friend of 45 years, Donna. We met our first year of college, where I was an unhappy psychology major. Donna was pre-nursing and told me all about nursing. I had never considered that as a career but as I began to investigate, becoming a psychiatric nurse seemed like a good fit. I was 18 years old and Donna was a 26-year-old newly divorced, single mom of three young children. Donna has shown me that if you have a clear goal, you can achieve it regardless of your external circumstances.” Kay Hoskey, MD, urogynecologist: “As a retired nurse, my mother taught me the value of human connection, the magic of a smile and the importance of understanding a person’s story. It is not always easy to walk in some else’s shoes. Still, these lessons have helped me to connect with friends, patients and strangers alike.” Lil Banchero, RN, senior director, Institute for Healthy Aging: “I had the wonderful privilege of having two very strong loving females in my life, my dearest gram and my mom. Both smart and brave. I come from a family of four girls, so these two women really were strong advocates for our ability as women to do whatever we wanted. Over the years, they taught me many things. Be yourself. Do your best. Say please and thank you. Keep your word. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Be independent. Be kind, compassionate and loyal. Do not hold hate in your heart. These are just a few of the many other lessons they taught me that have shaped me as a mother and nurse leader.” Heather Keats, OTR/L, occupational therapist: “Watching my mother as I was growing up, I learned to work hard and take full advantage of opportunities given to me. As a result, I am able to see the value in putting in the hard work now for the future pay off. This lesson carries over to all aspects of my life including relationships, health and career.” READ MORE: 6 ways to support a new mom0
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTips and Recipes for Heart Healthy Super Bowl Snacking The biggest game of the NFL season is just around the corner. Which means it’s time to start prepping the all-important Super Bowl snacks! The big game doesn’t have to mean foods big on calories – February is American Heart Month after all. So treat yourself to snacks that are delicious but also good for you and your family. There are great resources for heart healthy eating from the American Heart Association. We’ve got you covered with a few recipes below. But first, here are some tips to make your Super Bowl Sunday ‘super’ healthy. Be sure to eat your regular meals during the day so you don’t find yourself overly hungry at game time. Make vegetables and fruits front and center. Use veggies instead of chips for dipping. Have platters of fruits and vegetables ready for munching or take one to the COVID safe gathering! Exercises before or after the game. Consider a quick walk during halftime. If you are drinking alcohol, do so in moderation and consider making non-alcoholic spritzers. Have a variety of sparkling waters and unsweet teas on hand. Stay hydrated! Try one of the following recipes listed below and have fun! Portobello Pizzas 8 baby Portobello mushrooms ½ c. tomato or pizza sauce ½ c. shredded skim mozzarella cheese 1/4c. Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 350. Wash mushrooms, dry and remove stems. In bowl, combine parmesan and marinara sauce. Place scoop of sauce in each mushroom cap. Place mushroom caps on greased or foil lined baking sheet and top with mozzarella. (Feel free to add additional toppings – onion, peppers, olives,) Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted. Let cool for a few minutes and serve. Vegetarian Chili and Topping Bar Olive oil for sautéing 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped 1 large onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 ½ inch piece of fresh ginger, minced 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 2 Tbls. Chili powder One 28oz. can plum or crushed tomatoes One 19 oz. can kidney beans, drained One 19 oz. can chickpeas, rained One 5 ½ oz. can tomato paste 2 cups frozen corn 2 dashes hot sauce In Large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the carrots, onion, celery, peppers, garlic and ginger for 10-12 minutes. Add the seasonings. Add the tomatoes, beans, chickpeas, tomato paste and corn. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add hot sauce to taste. Topping Bar Place the following items in separate bowls to serve alongside the chili. 1/2c. Fresh cilantro chopped 1/2c. Green onion, chopped ½ c. shredded low fat cheddar cheese 1/2c. Low fat sour cream 1 lg. avocado, diced Hummus 1 can garbanzo beans 2Tbs. olive oil 1 lemon –squeezed 3 Tbls. Tahini 2 Tbls. Water 2 garlic cloves Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Adding more olive oil to desired consistency. Pour into bowl. Serve with a platter of fresh vegetables and pita bread.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen Roxanne Walsh’s son Van was born in October 2016, it could have been a difficult delivery. The Pasadena woman was more than a week overdue when she gave birth to the nearly 10-pound boy after 64 hours of labor. But there was someone by her side who helped make things much easier – her midwife Maria Mayzel, MSN, CNM, with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Bay Area Midwifery. “I felt like she just had a gentle, guiding hand,” says Roxanne, 30, a hairstylist at Studio Salon in Annapolis. “I loved my experience. I wouldn’t change it for anything.” AAMG Bay Area Midwifery is a freestanding birth center located on Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Annapolis campus. Staffed by seven certified nurse-midwives, the midwifery team takes a holistic, individualized approach to pregnancy. “Just having a freestanding birth center in the state of Maryland is unique. We’re one of only two in the state,” says Maria, who has worked at AAMG Bay Area Midwifery for four years. While moms-to-be can opt for unmedicated births in the birthing center, AAMG Bay Area Midwifery is still an active part of the hospital. Clients, like those who want pain management such as an epidural, can choose between giving birth in the hospital or in the birth center. Clients who have high-risk pregnancies receive care from both the midwives and a team of specialists at AAMC. A seamless transfer system between the birth center and the hospital adds an extra layer of safety. “Safety is always our number one priority,” Maria says. READ MORE: The rising popularity of birth centers Roxanne learned about AAMG Bay Area Midwifery from her sister, who delivered three of her four children there. She liked the birth center’s attitude toward pregnancy, especially the close interactions all patients have with their midwives. Roxanne’s husband, Shane, also liked the idea of a natural birth for their first child. She remembers counting down the days until her first appointment, when she was eight weeks pregnant. But five weeks later, when she had her first sonogram, she learned some surprising news. Roxanne has a bicornuate, or heart-shaped, uterus, a condition that affects about 1 percent of women and frequently causes complications during childbirth. Risks can include a higher risk of miscarriage, improper attachment of the baby’s placenta, excessive bleeding and premature birth. Though Roxanne and Shane were concerned, the team at AAMG Bay Area Midwifery was reassuring. “Our plan was to just take it as it came,” Roxanne says. “I felt very confident.” As her pregnancy progressed, Roxanne held out hope that she would be able to have her baby in the birth center. But shortly after the 30-week mark, midwives told her she would be a better candidate for delivery in the hospital’s birth center, due to potential risks during labor. “At this point, we didn’t know how far my uterus could expand,” Roxanne says. Though she was disappointed, the partnership between the midwives and the hospital team comforted her. Plus, she would still be able to have one of the midwives by her side. Maria says the goal is always to honor the family’s wishes, which is why it is important to start talking about their birth plan early on. Those conversations include the entire family, Maria says. “The client’s family is the most important part of the birth team,” she says. Shane said his main concern was the safety of his wife and child, and was happy with the decision to deliver in the hospital. “It was just a change of scenery,” he says. The birth Roxanne went into labor at around 5 pm on a Saturday night, just as she and Shane were leaving a movie. At that point, she was more than 41 weeks pregnant. She called Maria, who told her to call back when the contractions were five minutes apart. A day later, the pain was intense and the contractions were holding steady. She made an appointment for Monday, when she had a stress test and learned her cervix was just four centimeters dilated. Maria says Roxanne was experiencing prodromal labor, which is when contractions happen for hours, even days, with no cervical change. After a day of therapeutic rest, Roxanne’s labor began to slowly progress. She returned to AAMC on Tuesday, and Maria — who happened to be on call that day — made a plan with Roxanne to proceed with labor induction. Roxanne was still in labor when Maria’s shift ended. “I was ready to lose it,” Roxanne says with a laugh. But Maria stayed an hour and a half past the end of her shift to help bring Van into the world — an example of the close relationship the midwives develop with their clients. “One of the biggest things we can offer our clients is more time,” Maria says. Roxanne says she had the experience she always envisioned, complete with essential oils, flameless candles and music — lots of Alice Coltrane in particular, she recalls. Shane, a musician who plays in several Annapolis-area bands, used special headphones to play Alice Coltrane for the baby when Roxanne was pregnant. Van came into the world happy and healthy, weighing nine pounds, 14 ounces. An ongoing relationship Today, Van is an active 18-month-old who loves to bang on his dad’s drums and play with blocks. And his parents couldn’t be happier with their family’s experience at AAMG Bay Area Midwifery. “She was a calm force of wonderful energy,” Roxanne says of Maria. “I feel like a lot of people would have talked me into doing other things, but I had a midwife who advocated for me.” Roxanne’s relationship with AAMG Bay Area Midwifery now continues through annual well woman visits. “At my six-week checkup, I was so sad I was leaving,” she said. “So I was thrilled to learn that I could still receive all my wellness care from the midwives.” AAMG Bay Area Midwifery midwives provide well woman and primary care for women throughout their life span, including family planning, Pap smears, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, breast exams and referrals for mammograms, referrals for mental health services, and menopausal care. Roxanne says she will always remember the sense of community she felt throughout her pregnancy. She encourages any mom-to-be who wants a personalized birth experience to consider AAMG Bay Area Midwifery. “You couldn’t make a better choice,” she says.0
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