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Friday, August 30, 2013

NUMBER OF AMERICANS SUFFERING FROM AF PROJECTED TO INCREASE

Reuters (7/27, Doyle) reported that, according to research published online in the American Journal of Cardiology, the number of Americans suffering from atrial fibrillation is projected to increase. As of 2010, about five million adults in the US experienced the condition, but researchers estimate that that number could increase to about 12 million by 2030.



POSTED BY: Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- SPRINGTIME ENGLISH TRIFLE

Specialty desserts, such as the elegant English Trifle, can contain a whopping 600 calories per serving.  Rather than avoid these treats altogether, it’s more sensible to eat them in moderation in lower-calorie forms.  The Springtime English Trifle trims the calories by substituting low-fat ingredients and using less sugar than the traditional recipe.

Springtime English Trifle



1 qt. strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced (reserve some whole for garnish)
2 T. sugar
15 oz. angel food cake, crust trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 T. Triple Sec or liqueur of your choice (amaretto, Frangelico), divided
2 T. slivered almonds, divided
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla pudding mix, prepared using 2 c. skim milk


In a large bowl, place the sliced strawberries and sprinkle with the sugar.  Gently toss to coat. 
Line the bottom of a glass serving  bowl with half of the cake cubes.  Sprinkle the cake with 1 ½ T. of the liqueur.

Layer half the strawberry mixture and 1 T. of the almonds on the cake cubes.  Layer half of the prepared pudding over the strawberries and almonds.  Repeat the layers using the remaining cake, liqueur, strawberries, almonds and pudding.  Cover and chill for 3 to 4 hours.  Garnish with the remaining whole strawberries.


Nutrition Information:  per 1/10 recipe
Calories 242, Total fat 1 g, Saturated fat trace g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Sodium 223 mg, Carbohydrate 51 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Sugar 14 g, Protein 7 g 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

WHY IS MY PULSE SO HIGH CONSTANTLY?

High pulse typically occurs in response to physiologic stressors  Some of these can be apparent (pain, anemia, dehydration, excessive thyroid, anxiety), and some can be inapparent (excessive sympathetic tone, arrhythmia, inappropriate sinus tachycardia).  An ECG or an event monitor might help along with a doctor to review all the data.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- RED RASPBERRY TEA

Flavored teas may contain as much as 6 teaspoons of sugar per 6-ounce glass.  This iced tea uses only about one teaspoon of sugar, and artificial sweetner can be substituted to trim the calories even more.  Fresh fruit provides the flavor and much of the sweetness.

Red Raspberry Tea

                  
                                                
                                                 2 c. fresh or frozen raspberries
                                                 Juice and zest of one medium orange
                                                 3 T. sugar
                                                 4 c. water
                                                 3 decaffeinated tea bags
                                                 Lemon slices

Puree the raspberries in a blender or food processor.  Use a wooden spoon to strain the puree through a fine sieve set over a bowl.

Put the orange juice, zest, sugar and water into a 2-quart saucepan.  Bring to a boil and boil for 1 to 2 minutes until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea bags.  Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes.  Strain the tea into the puree, stir the mixture and chill. 

Serve the raspberry tea over ice and garnish with lemon slices.  Serves 8.


Nutrition Information:  1/8 recipe
Calories 41, Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 4 mg, Carbohydrate 11 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 8 g, Protein 0 g  

Monday, August 26, 2013

NEW NOVI OFFICE, NOW OPEN!

We are happy to announce that our Western Wayne Heart Group office has moved to a new location at 10 Mile and Haggerty, in Novi.  We are only 5 minutes away from the old location.

39500 Ten Mile Road
Suite 103
Novi, MI 48375
Phone: (248) 267-5050
Fax: (248) 267-5051

Please see the link below for directions for our old office in Livonia to the new office in Novi.
http://goo.gl/maps/6h7hq

The move was made for several reasons.  Primarily when we enter the Physician Service Agreement (PSA) with Beaumont we needed to follow Joint Commission standards.  Several of which, unfortunately, were not able to be met within the buildings structure.  The move allowed us to meet Joint Commission standards in addition too upgrading to state of the art equipment.

We hope you are as happy with our new Novi home as we are.  Should you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call our Physician Liaison Stacie Batur.  She can help stream line communications between referring physicians, bring cards to your office (if you're a physician), or simply answer a question.  She can be reached at the numbers below:

Office: (248) 267-5050 (x6509); Primarily Mondays and Thursdays
Mobile: (248)765-4466;  Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Friday, August 23, 2013

RESEARCH FAVORS STAGED CAROTID ARTERY STENTING PRIOR TO OPEN HEART SURGERY

The Cleveland Plain Dealer (8/1, Suchetka, 315K) reports that research published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that “patients who received stents in their...carotid, arteries and then had open-heart surgery a few weeks later had much better chances of remaining healthy in following years,” compared to patients who received other treatments.

CardioSource (8/1) reports that researchers “evaluated the outcomes of 350 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis who underwent one of the three approaches to carotid revascularization within 90 days” before “planned open heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic: staged carotid endarterectomy followed by open heart surgery; combined carotid endarterectomy with open heart surgery; and staged carotid artery stenting followed by open heart surgery.” The investigators found, “at one year of follow up...that staged carotid artery stenting followed by open heart surgery resulted in a lower risk of the composite endpoint of all-cause death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI), than staged carotid endarterectomy-open heart surgery and a similar risk compared with combined carotid endarterectomy-open heart surgery.” Data “at follow-up beyond one year showed that patients who underwent staged carotid artery stenting-open heart surgery had a significantly lower risk of the composite outcomes compared with” other participants

POSTED BY: Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- PINEAPPLE YOGURT MUFFINS

Pineapple Yogurt Muffins

            
Vegetable oil cooking spray or paper muffin liners
¼ c. sugar
2 egg whites
¼ c. vegetable oil
1 c. nonfat plain yogurt
1 ½ c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 c. crushed pineapple, well drained



Preheat oven to 375.  Spray the muffin pan with the cooking spray or line with paper liners that are sprayed on the inside. 

In a medium -size bowl, combine the sugar, egg whites, oil and yogurt.  Beat until well combined.  In another medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture and stir until moistened.  Stir in the pineapple.

Evenly divide the batter among the 12 muffin cups.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean and muffins are golden.  Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. 

Nutrition Information:  1 muffin
Calories 162, Total fat 3 g, Saturated fat trace g, Cholesterol trace mg, Sodium 86 mg, Carbohydrate 19 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Sugar 7 g, Protein 3 g

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

WHY IS FASTING PRIOR TO A LIPID (CHOLESTEROL) TEST SO IMPORTANT?

Levels are dynamic, by avoiding food for at least 12 hours, it has been felt an equilibrium level is demonstrated.  Some recent evidence suggests the fast may not be needed.  Most labs still use the fast.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- GAZPACHO

Gazpacho


6 cups peeled and chopped fresh ripe tomatoes
1 onion, coarsely chopped
½ c. coarsely chopped green bell pepper
½ c. coarsely chopped cucumber
2 c. no-salt-added tomato juice
½ tsp. cumin (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 T. olive oil
¼ c. red wine vinegar
Garnishes
Garlic croutons
                                                                                    1 c. finely chopped tomato
                                                                                    ½ c. each finely chopped onion, green bell                                                                                            pepper and cucumber

In a blender or the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, puree tomatoes, onion, green bell pepper and cucumber.  Add tomato juice, cumin, garlic and pepper.  Process to blend thoroughly.  Pour into a large bowl, cover and refrigerate.

Add oil and vinegar and stir to mix well.  Pour into individual serving bowls.  Garnish with croutons and chopped vegetables.

Nutrition Information:  per I cup serving
Calories 85, Total fat 4 g, Saturated fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 20 mg,
Carbohydrate 12 g, Protein 2 g  

Monday, August 19, 2013

HEART LIGHT...A NATION WIDE NEW TRIAL AT BEAUMONT OFFERS HOPE TO THOSE THAT SUFFER FROM ATRIAL FIBRILLATION!


EKG of Atrial Fibrillation
Heart Light is an exciting National Research Trial using new technology to treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.  William Beaumont Hospital is one of only 22 centers in the United States to offer this trial also one of the highest for enrollment.   Michigan Heart Group's own Dr. Kutinsky is the principle investigator at Beaumont.

The technology is called Cardio Focus, an endoscopic laser balloon system used to isolate the pulmonary veins and cure Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.  The technology is cutting edge for many reasons, first the operator can visualize how and where the treatment is being directed and second it has increased efficacy and success for curing Atrial Fibrillation.  If you want more information or are interested in seeing if you are eligible for the trial, please visit, www.cardiofocus.com.  The deadline for applications is October 1st.

WELCOMING MICHELLE FORCINA, PA-C AND DAWN MITCHELL, ACNP

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group would like to welcome two new physician extenders...

Michelle Forcina, Physician Assistant
Dawn Mitchell, Nurse Practitioner 

They will be joining our mid-level team of Cheryl Vincent, A.P.R.N.; Anita Juriga, A.P.R.N; Howard Hollinger, P.A.-C.; Debra Goodall, A.P.R.N; Mariann Graham, Nurse Clinician; and Lilly Paciorkowski, Nurse Clinician.

Michelle comes to us with a background in Cardiac Electrophysiology.  She has primarily worked with Electrophysiologist and Device Clinics for the last seven years. She will be office based and seeing patients out of Beaumont's Michigan Heart Rhythm Group, working closely with our device specialist Jan Halash and Amy Douglas as well as Drs. Cragg, Williamson and Kutinsky.

Dawn has worked for William Beaumont Hospital in several different capacities over the last 30 years and we are lucky to have her as part of our team.  Her main focus for the last 20 years has been Cardiology where she has learned the many different arenas it has to offer.  Dawn will primarily be seeing patients in the hospital however will most likely also see patients in the office as space and time allow.

We are very fortunate to have found these two wonderful additions to our team.  They look forward to meeting you and we hope you look forward to meeting them.

Thank you!
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Physicians

Friday, August 16, 2013

IS IT OKAY FOR SOMEONE TO STILL EXERCISE WITH A FEVER?

Not a good idea...



A fever puts your body on notice that something is amiss.  Core temp is high and the body/heart/circulatory system go into a high output state to deliver blood to the small capillaries in the skin (in an effort to cool down).  Exercising then might magnify this high output situation and produce symptoms of heart failure or lightheadedness.  Very little physiologic benefits of exercise when your sick.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

Thursday, August 15, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI BOLOGNESE

Eggplant-Zucchini Bolognese


                                             1 pkg. (16 oz.) penne pasta
                                             1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces
                                             1 medium zucchini, cut into ¼ in. slices
                                             1 medium yellow summer squash, cut into ¼ in. slices
                                             1 c. chopped onion
                                             2 T. olive oil
                                             2 tsp. minced garlic
                                             1 tsp. salt
                                             ½ tsp. pepper
                                             1 lb. lean ground beef
                                             1 can (28 oz.) tomato puree
                                             1 T. Italian seasoning
                                             1 T. brown sugar
                                             3 T. grated Parmesan cheese


Cook pasta according to package directions.  In a large bowl, combine the eggplant, zucchini, squash, onion, oil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Transfer to large baking pan coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.   Stir in the tomato puree, Italian seasoning and brown sugar.  Drain pasta and return to pot.  Stir in tomato mixture and roasted vegetables.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.


Nutrition Information:  per 1/8 recipe (about 1 ½ cups)
Calories 395, Total fat 10 g, saturated fat 3 g, Cholesterol 36 mg, Sodium 378 mg, Carbohydrate 56 g, Protein 22 g, Fiber 5 g

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

MIRACLE SAVES A LIFE AND A WEDDING


Meghan Warren died last month, just four weeks before her wedding.
On Saturday, the 29-year-old Shelby Township woman will walk down the aisle with her father and exchange vows with Patrick Neeme, the love of her life.
The hospital medical team called her Miss Miracle.
Now, she’s the miracle bride.
“It’s turned into so much more than just a wedding,” Warren said. “It’s a celebration of (Neeme) being so great and a celebration of me being alive.”
The trouble started July 14 when Warren experienced chest pain that hurt so badly she was crying. She drove herself to Beaumont Hospital in Troy and was given pain medications.
Warren was suffering from a problem with her gallbladder. But she later stopped breathing and turned blue, likely the result of a sleep apnea event — something she’s never had before, her parents, Dave and Debbie Warren, wrote in their online diary,www.meghansmiracle.org, which documents their daughter’s nine-day hospital stay.
Her heart stopped — for up to 19 minutes, her family said — and the medical staff had to resuscitate her.
Dr. William Devlin, director of the cardiac intensive care unit at the hospital, said a 19-minute heart stoppage would defy most logic for survival. He said it’s likely there was not a complete lack of heart activity the whole time, but there was probably a lack of blood flow to the brain.
Warren underwent a therapeutic hypothermia protocol, which has been used in about 100 cases at the Troy hospital and another 200 or so at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak when there is a concern about lack of oxygen to the brain from a cardiac or respiratory cause, Devlin said. The protocol cools the body to help protect the brain, he said.
Warren’s body temperature was slowly reduced to about 90 degrees over 12 hours, said Dave Warren, 58, of New Baltimore. He said the process involved blankets circulating cold water and even grocery-store-size bags of ice being placed on his daughter, who was sedated and unconscious.
The process, he said, was “intimidating to watch.”
Meghan Warren stayed at that colder temperature for 24 hours before being slowly warmed back up over the next 12 hours, her father said.
Loved ones waited with tablets and smartphones, looking up terminology and trying to learn as much as they could. All the while, they kept thinking, “She’s supposed to be married in 3½ weeks,” Warren said.
Meghan Warren, who aspires to be a fourth-grade teacher, doesn’t remember what happened. She spent what she described as a long, peaceful dream in Hawaii, a locale she visited with her family when she was a teenager. She heard someone say she was going to be OK. She knows it was God, she said.
Outside the hospital walls, thousands of people prayed for the bride-to-be, even in other states and countries. A prayer vigil was held in Warren.
Meghan Warren said she believes those prayers saved her, and she’s alive for a reason — though she’s not sure yet what it is.
A few hours after warming up, she was able to follow some basic commands from doctors.
“Every few hours, it was like something new, something hopeful,” Dave Warren said.
He described the experience in the online diary: “The progress during day 5 was like the miracle of a rose opening its bud.”
Within three days, Meghan Warren was off the ventilator and walking on her own. And she was focused on marrying Neeme, 28, on the four-year anniversary of when they met online.
“I knew I was going to get married on Aug. 10,” she said. “I’m gonna walk down the aisle and marry my fiancé. There was no question in my mind. I was determined to marry on Aug. 10.”
Devlin didn’t say Warren’s full recovery was unusual, but said “the results are not the same for everybody.”
“In every case (like hers), you think this truly is a miracle,” he said.
Meghan Warren’s gallbladder wasn’t removed because of everything she went through, but she’s being monitored and has changed her diet — good-bye beloved coffee, hello fruits and veggies — to keep her gallbladder in check.
She also didn’t have health insurance, and her family is using the online diary to try to raise funds for her medical bills.
As she continues to recover, Warren is supposed to be resting — but it’s tough with her pending nuptials. There’s a dress and tux to pick up, a manicure and pedicure to have, a rehearsal dinner to attend.
Dave Warren said 190 family members and friends are expected for the wedding at St. Mary Queen of Creation in New Baltimore. But so many others — like those strangers who prayed or heard about his daughter’s story — just want to stop by to see her walk down the aisle.
“It means a whole lot more than it did,” he said of walking down the aisle with his daughter. “We’re not just celebrating a wedding now, we’re celebrating a life. It’s going to be very special.”
Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com
DETROIT FREE PRESS



Tuesday, August 13, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- HEART SMART VEGETABLE DIP

Heart Smart Vegetable Dip

                                                

1 c.  fat-free cottage cheese
1/3 c.  buttermilk
1 T. lemon juice
3 T. fat-free mayonnaise
10 oz. pkg. frozen spinach, thawed, drained, chopped
1/3  c.  finely shredded carrot
½  c.  finely chopped onion
2 tsp. dill weed
1 T. parsley
1 ½  tsp. celery seed


In a medium-size bowl, blend together the cottage cheese, buttermilk, lemon juice and mayonnaise until smooth.  Add the spinach, carrots, onion, dill weed, parsley  and celery seed.  Blend well.  Chill the mixture at least one hour and serve with fresh vegetables or fat-free crackers.



Nutrition Information:  Calories 352 for entire recipe, Trace amounts of fat and cholesterol, Sodium 30 mg, Carbohydrate 1 g, Trace amount of fiber,  Sugar 1 g,  Protein 1 g

Monday, August 12, 2013

MICHIGAN HEART GROUP INTERGRATES WITH WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL

On June 1, 2012 a change occurred at Michigan Heart Group we became integrated with William Beaumont Hospital in the form of a Professional Services Agreement. Our signage will soon read Beaumont Michigan Heart Group, Beaumont Michigan Heart Rhythm Group and Beaumont Western Wayne Heart Group.

This professional agreement will integrate some of the services that we provide with the hospital as well as some of our operations including our outpatient testing and billing, but will allow Michigan Heart Group to maintain operational control of the practice. Management of these operations still occurs locally within Michigan Heart Group. We have not experienced that these changes with Beaumont have disrupted any of the services that you currently receive from your physician.

We believe that with this integration model, we will be best able to provide you with the high quality of care that you have come to expect and deserve from our practice. All of our physicians will continue practicing from their current locations and your records will remain available to your physician without any further actions taken on your part. This is intended to be essentially a transparent change to you, the patient, in terms of how your care is delivered. Such a change has been made necessary after we have experienced years of progressive cuts in insurance reimbursement while our fixed costs have steadily increased. The status quo was no longer a viable option for the future.

You will notice changes specific to billing. Beaumont will bill applicable charges to your insurance. You will receive a billing statement from Beaumont rather than from Michigan Heart Group. You may still call Michigan Heart Group for billing inquiries however questions/determinations will be advised and directed by Beaumont.

We value your loyalty and trust that you have placed in our physicians and staff over the past several years and we continue to look forward to serving you in the future. As we indicated above, we believe that most of these changes will be transparent to your healthcare needs. If you have any questions, please contact our administrator, Darlene Nichols at 248-267-5050, select option 2.

Thank you for choosing Michigan Heart Group, in affiliation with William Beaumont Hospital for your healthcare services. We look forward to serving you now and in the future.

Very truly yours,

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group


Friday, August 9, 2013

WATCHMAN

Boston Scientific ($BSX) CEO Michael Mahoney predicts a long-awaited return to growth for the company in the second half of 2013, driven largely by five new products acquired through acquisitions. And Watchman may have the biggest expectations behind it of the bunch.

"Watchman is one of the most clinically tested devices ever, prior to FDA approval," Mahoney told Bloomberg. "We feel like with the body of evidence we have, this deserves to be approved."

As Bloomberg reports, the implant designed to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation patients has wowed researchers once again, unexpectedly boosting survival in patients after four years. That's great news as Boston Scientific gears up to file its FDA approval application by the end of May. As many companies do, Boston Scientific saved its latest attention-getting data for this year's Heart Rhythm Society gathering in Denver. And the results were stunning, showing that patients with the device saw their risk of a stroke, clot or death become 40% less likely than patients treated with the current standard of care warfarin, according to the story.

The product is already on sale in Europe, and now Boston Scientific hopes to gain approval in the U.S. by the 2014 first quarter, according to the company.

Earlier this year, there was a sound of alarm when Boston Scientific hesitated to release all of its Prevail study results at March's American College of Cardiology meeting in San Francisco, spurring analyst rumors that the technology hadn't measured up to huge expectations. The company relented and showed that the implant success rate in the Prevail trial was much more than in the earlier Protect AF trial, quieting concerns.

And now those expectations are even greater. Mahoney told Bloomberg that the latest study results may help Watchman become the centerpiece of a $500 million market. And as the company confronts its third year of plunging demand and price declines for its bread-and-butter cardiac devices, Watchman could help make, or break, Boston Scientific in the long term.


POSTED BY: Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- PARSLEY POTATO SALAD

Parsley Potato Salad
                          

2 c.  diced cooked potatoes
½  T.  chopped pimiento
½  c.  diced celery
1 T. chopped onion
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
½  T. cider vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard
½  tsp. celery seeds
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼  c.  reduced-calorie mayonnaise
Pimiento strips for garnish


In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except mayonnaise.  Toss lightly, cover and refrigerate for several hours.  A few hours before serving, add mayonnaise and stir to mix well.  Garnish with pimiento strips.  Cover and return to refrigerator until serving time.


Nutrition Information:  1/6  recipe
Calories 79, Total fat 3 g, Saturated fat 0 g, Cholesterol 3 mg, Sodium 71 g, Carbohydrate 12 g, Protein 1 g



Wednesday, August 7, 2013

NSAIDS MAY HIKE LONG-TERM CV RISK POST MI

Action Points

  • The cardiovascular risk after the first myocardial infarction typically declines rapidly during the first year.
  • Note however that this study shows that the use of NSAIDs is associated with persistently increased coronary risk regardless of time elapsed after first-time MI.
The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may confer a long-term risk of adverse cardiovascular events, a Danish population study found.

Of the nearly 100,000 patients with first-time myocardial infarction (MI) included in the analysis, those taking NSAIDs had a "persistent" increased risk of all-cause death at 1 year (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.69) and at 5 years (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.52 to 1.74), according to Anne-Marie Olsen, MD, a research fellow at Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte in Hellerup, Denmark, and colleagues.

In addition, those taking these anti-inflammatory drugs had a 41% increased risk of a second MI and a 30% increased risk of coronary death during the 5-year follow-up, they reported online in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.  While epidemiological studies such as this cannot establish causality, they said their results are further evidence of an association between COX-2 inhibitors and severe adverse cardiovascular events.

"We advise long-term caution in using NSAIDs for patients after MI," they concluded. They also suggested that the availability of over-the-counter nonselective NSAIDS such as diclofenac and ibuprofen "should be reconsidered."

Although taking any NSAID increased the risk compared with taking none, use of diclofenac was associated with the highest risk, they pointed out.  Other NSAIDs evaluated in this study were rofecoxib (Vioxx), celecoxib (Celebrex), naproxen (Aleve, among other brand names), and others.  At the time of the study, only ibuprofen (200 mg) was available over the counter in Denmark.

Despite a focused update in 2007 from the American Heart Association cautioning against the use of NSAIDs for those with cardiovascular disease, many still receive these drugs, although for shorter periods (Circulation 2007; 115: 1634-1642), Olsen and colleagues wrote.

Because the long-term effects of NSAIDs among those with a first MI were unclear, researchers analyzed data from 99,187 patients in the Danish National Patient Registry from 1997 to 2009.

There were more men (64%) than women in the study, the mean age was 69, and 44% had filled at least one prescription of NSAIDs.  Researchers found that the overall adverse risks associated with NSAIDs "remained virtually unchanged throughout all 5 years after discharge from hospital after the first MI."

This is in contrast to the typical risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity following an MI, which declines as time passes, Olsen and colleagues noted. However, rofecoxib and diclofenac conferred a greater risk of death and the composite of recurrent MI and coronary death over time compared with other NSAIDs, especially naproxen, which had the lowest risk.

Although it might be preferable to prescribe naproxen, researchers noted that the drug was associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding than rofecoxib.  They also found that those not taking anti-inflammatory drugs had a decreased risk of adverse events over the 5 years following the index MI.

The study has several limitations, the authors noted, including its observational nature, some missing clinical data, no data on the use of over-the-counter aspirin, and no way to determine if patients adhered to their prescription.  However, a strength of the study is that these data are from one country and are known to be accurate, they said.

They concluded that their findings support previous results that suggest there is "no apparent safe treatment window" for NSAIDs among patients with MI.


POSTED BY:  Steven Almany M.D.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- BANANA OATMEAL MUFFINS

Potassium and fiber combine to make this nutritious, delicious low-fat muffin.

  Banana Oatmeal Muffins

1 ½   c.  quick oats
1 c.  all-purpose flour
1/3  c.  firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp.  baking soda
½ tsp.  ground cinnamon
1 c. raisins
8 oz. container nonfat plain yogurt*
¾  c.  mashed banana (about 2 medium)
2 egg whites
2 T.  vegetable oil


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.  Combine dry ingredients including raisins; mix well.  Add combined yogurt, banana, egg whites, and oil, mixing just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Fill muffin cups until almost full.  Bake 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.  Let muffins stand a few minutes; remove from pan.

*Or substitute ¾ c.  skim  milk combined with 2 ½  tsps.  lemon  juice or vinegar for yogurt.  Let stand 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Proceed as recipe directs.


Nutrition Information:  1 muffin
Calories 160,  Total fat 3 g,  Saturated fat 0 g,  Cholesterol 0 mg,  Sodium 120 mg, Carbohydrate 29 g,   Fiber 2 g,  Protein 4 g

Monday, August 5, 2013

2013 BEAUMONT MICHIGAN HEART GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group closes in observance of all the major holiday'sThe 2013 days are listed below.  We ask, in order to ensure your prescriptions are refilled in time, please call at least one week prior to the holiday.  Calls taken after 10:00 am, the day before closing, are not guaranteed to be called in.

Monday
May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
Thursday
July 4, 2013
Independence Day
Monday
September 2, 2013
Labor Day
Thursday
November 28, 2013
Thanksgiving
Friday
November 29, 2013 
Day after Thanksgiving
Tuesday
December 24, 2013
Christmas Eve
Wednesday
December 25, 2013
Christmas Day
Tuesday
December 31, 2013
New Year’s Eve (1/2 day)
Wednesday
January 1, 2014
New Year’s Day


Thank you:
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Sta

Friday, August 2, 2013

CDC: MILLIONS OF ADULTS HAVE UNCONTROLLED HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

USA Today (9/5, Hellmich) reports, "Despite the well-known perils of high blood pressure, more than half of the 67 million American adults who have the condition don't have it under control, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in a new report out today." CDC director Thomas Frieden remarked, "High blood pressure is public health enemy No. 2. There is nothing that will save more lives than getting blood pressure under control." Frieden "says major progress could be made with pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physicians and other health care providers working together with the doctor 'as the quarterback.'"

The Hill (9/5, Viebeck) reports in its "Healthwatch" blog that the report found that "high blood pressure contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths per day by increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Sixty-seven million Americans have high blood pressure, and of these, 36 million cases are uncontrolled, according to the report. Another 16 million Americans take medication from the condition but still struggle, the report found." Furthermore, "The CDC estimates that healthcare costs related to high blood pressure top $130 billion annually."

The Los Angeles Times (9/5, Maugh) quotes Frieden, who said, "We have to roll up our sleeves and make blood pressure control a priority every day, with every patient, at every doctor's visit." According to the CDC, "Specifically, this means that patients should make sure to take their medications, eat a healthful, low-sodium diet, exercise, maintain a healthy weight and not smoke." Furthermore, "Physicians should be more alert to patients with high blood pressure, and electronic medical records systems could be modified to flag such patients."

The Boston Globe (9/5, Kotz) reports in its "Daily Dose" blog, "The CDC is launching a new campaign tomorrow called 'team up pressure down' to get pharmacists more involved in helping patients manage their hypertension by providing them with fact-sheets and instructions to hand out along with prescriptions."

CardioSource (9/5) reports, "'The CDC report underscores the importance of working with patients to manage hypertension,' said ACC President William Zoghbi, MD, FACC. 'The College is proud to be partnering with the CDC on initiatives like Million Hearts to raise awareness about managing this condition and other risk factors in order to prevent coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke.'"

Also reporting this story are Reuters (9/5, Kuo), NPR (9/5, Hensley) "Shots" blog, Time (9/5, de Baca), the Huffington Post (9/5, Chan), the Detroit Free Press (9/5, Erb), MedPage Today (9/5, Neale), and HealthDay (9/5, Gardner).


POSTED BY: Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE- FRUIT PIZZA


Take advantage of the abundance of fresh, flavorful fruit this month with this delicious low-fat recipe

Fruit Pizza

1 pkg. reduced fat Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 pkg. low-fat or fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
Assorted summer fruits (strawberries, blueberries, melon, grapes, etc.)






Preheat oven as directed on crescent roll package. Pat unseparated rolls on ungreased cookie sheet, sealing perforations.  Bake 5-7 min. until lightly browned.

Combine softened cream cheese and sugar and spread over cooled crust.  Dice fruit into small pieces and sprinkle over cream cheese.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.