HOW IS HYPERTENSION CONTROLLED?

Diet, Exercise, and Medication if needed.  Hypertension or (HTN) requires a strong commitment to treat effectively.  Compliance with a weight loss diet, low salt and alcohol, coupled with regular aerobic exercise can help tremendously in keeping blood pressure under control.  For most, this will be necessary, along with medication’s in order to control blood pressure adequately.  Medications without lifestyle changes often just lead to more meds and side effects.  Doing both works much better.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

ARE YOU VACCINATED? WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS) HAS BEEN A COMMON DIAGNOSIS THIS WINTER.

Whooping cough- known medically as pertussis- is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.  Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants.  The best way to prevent it is through vaccinations.  The childhood vaccine is called DTaP.  The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap.  Both DTaP and Tdap protect against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria.  Recommended vaccine ages are listed below:

Age/Status	Recommendations
Birth through 6 years	DTaP is routinely recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and at 4 through 6 years.
7 through 10 years	Tdap is recommended for children ages 7 through 10 years who are not fully vaccinated (see not 1) against pertussis: ·         Single dose of Tdap for those not fully vaccinated or ·         If additional doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines are needed, then children aged 7 through 10 years should be vaccinated according to the catch-up schedule, with Tdap preferred as the first dose.
11 through 18 years	Tdap is routinely recommend as a single dose for those 11 through 18 years of age with preferred administration at 11 through 12.  If adolescents (13-18 miss getting Tdap at 11-12 yrs. then administer at the next patient encounter or sooner if that adolescent has close contact with infants.
19 years and older	Andy adult 19 yrs. of age or older who has not received a dose of Tdap should get one as soon as feasible- to protect themselves and infants.  This Tdap booster dose can replace one of the 10-year Td booster doses.  Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the previous Td dose.  Shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td may increase the risk of mild local reactogenicity but may be appropriate if your patient is at high risk for contracting pertussis, such as during an outbreak, or has close contact with infants.
Pregnant women	Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy, preferable at 27 through 36 weeks gestation.  By getting Tdap during pregnancy, maternal pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, likely providing protection against pertussis in early life, before the baby starts getting DTaP vaccines.  Tdap will also help protect the mother at time of deliver, making her less likely to transmit pertussis to her infant.  It is important that all family members and caregivers of the infant are up-to0date with their pertussis vaccines (DTaP or Tdap, depending on age) before coming into close contact with the infant.
Health Care Personnel	A single dose of Tdap is recommended for health care personnel who have not previously received Tdap as an adult and have direct patient contact.  Tdap vaccination can protect health care personnel against pertussis and help prevent them from spreading it to their patients.  Priority should be given to vaccinating those who have direct contact with babies younger than 12 months. Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the previous Td dose.  However, shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td may increase the risk of mild local reactogenicity.

Taken from the CDD at http://www.cdc.gov/Vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm

POSTED BY: Ilana Kutinsky, DO 

WILL ANALGESICS HELP STATIN MUSCLE PAIN?

Coenzyme Q10 is useful for strained muscle aches, analgesics can be used.  Speak to your doctor about what is appropriate for you.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

MICHIGAN HEART GROUP'S LOCATIONS AND SATELLITE OFFICES

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group has 2 main locations and 2 satellite locations.  Different physicians see patients out of different suits.  

THERE ARE TIMES, when a physician will need to SWITCH SUITES for one reason or another.  It usually has to do with coverage or addition of office time.  You will ALWAYS BE NOTIFIED of this DURING YOUR REMINDER CALL so PLEASE pay close attention to the LOCATION when we call you.  

MAIN CAMPUS:

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group:

4600 Investment Drive, #200

Troy, MI 48098

Steven L. Almany, MD

Steven C. Ajluni, MD

William D. Devlin, MD

Terry R. Bowers, MD

Michael J. Gallagher, MD

Beaumont Michigan Heart Rhythm Group

4550 Investment Drive, #250

Troy, MI 48098

David R. Cragg, MD

Brian D. Williamson, MD

Ilana B. Kutinsky, DO

SATELLITE OFFICES:

Beaumont Western Wayne Heart Group

39500 Ten Mile, #103

Novi, MI 48375

Steven L. Almany, MD

Steven C. Ajluni, MD

William D. Devlin, MD

Ilana B. Kutinsky, DO

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group- Macomb

15959 Hall Road, #304

Macomb, MI 48044

David R. Cragg, MD

Terry R. Bowers, MD

Michael J. Gallagher, MD

IS A HEART RATE ALWAYS HIGH IF YOUR HEART IS POUNDING OR CAN IT HAPPEN WHEN IT'S LOW TO NORMAL TOO?

Heavy pounding of the heart relates more to the force of contraction which is governed by the amount of catecholoamines (adrenalin) as well as the volume of blood put out with contraction.  Often times this will lead to a faster heart rate but it doesn’t have to.  An example would be aortic regurgitation wherein the heart is heavily loaded (preload), from backward filling across aortic valve.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

MEET THE MHG PHYSICIAN EXTENDERS, AN EXTENSION OF YOUR HEART CARE TEAM! THIS MONTH WE RECOGNIZE DEBBIE GOODALL.

The practice is made up of Interventionist (plumbers) and Electrophysiologist (electricians).  The plumbers are located at 4600 Investment Drive, #200, while the Electricians are in the building next door at 4550 Investment Dr., #250.  In addition Michigan Heart Group has two satellite offices to accommodate our out of town patients.  One in Macomb at 15959 Hall Road, #304, Macomb and another in Novi at Ten Mile and Haggerty, 39500 Ten Mile, #103, Novi. Each extender is trained and familiar with both specialties however all but one currently they only see patients at our 2 main locations.

Each month we will be focusing on one extenders achievements, this month we recognize Debbie Goodall.

Debby Goodall, A.P.R.N, A.N.P.-B.C.:  Debby joined Michigan Heart Group in September 2007.  Debby started at Michigan State for undergrad and then continued her education at Oakland University, completing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and then going on to get a Masters for Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.  She has worked in some form of Cardiology of the past 15 years.  Debby’s focus is on nutrition and eating the right types of foods.   She has office hours at both Michigan Heart Group on Monday afternoons and Michigan Heart Rhythm Group on Friday afternoons.

OUR EXTENDER TEAM AND WHERE YOU MAY SEE THEM:

Cheryl Vincent, MSN, A.P.R.N: Sees patients at Michigan Heart Rhythm group all day Thursday and Friday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Anita Juriga, MSN, A.P.R.N:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Howard Hollinger, P.A.-C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Monday and Tuesday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Debby Goodall, A.P.R.N, A.N.P.-B.C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group on Monday afternoons and at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group on Friday afternoons.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Michelle Forcina, P.A.-C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group all day Mondays and Tuesdays and in the morning on Wednesdays.  Rounds at both William Beaumont Hospital- RO and Troy on the weekends.

Dawn Mitchell, A.C.N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Wednesdays.  Also,  sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

Lily Paciorkowski, R.N., MSN:   Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

Mariann Graham, R.N., BSN:  Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

We are very fortunate to have such a great, caring and educated team working with us.  They look forward to meeting you and we hope you look forward to meeting them.

Thank you!
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Physicians

WILL METOPROLOL HELP PREVENT HEART ATTACKS?

Beta blockers theoretically benefit coronary artery disease by reducing myocardial demand and reducing potential for ischemia and arrhythmia.  This has been demonstrated conclusively with certain beta blockers (eg. Carvedilol).  Other beta blockers, like Metoprolol have not been conclusively shown to reduce mortality and recurrent events, but most regard beta blocker benefits as a class effect.

POSTED BY:  Steven Ajluni, MD

ARE YOU VACCINATED? WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS) HAS BEEN A COMMON DIAGNOSIS THIS WINTER.

Whooping cough- known medically as pertussis- is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.  Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants.  The best way to prevent it is through vaccinations.  The childhood vaccine is called DTaP.  The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap.  Both DTaP and Tdap protect against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria.  Recommended vaccine ages are listed below:

Age/Status	Recommendations
Birth through 6 years	DTaP is routinely recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and at 4 through 6 years.
7 through 10 years	Tdap is recommended for children ages 7 through 10 years who are not fully vaccinated (see not 1) against pertussis: ·         Single dose of Tdap for those not fully vaccinated or ·         If additional doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines are needed, then children aged 7 through 10 years should be vaccinated according to the catch-up schedule, with Tdap preferred as the first dose.
11 through 18 years	Tdap is routinely recommend as a single dose for those 11 through 18 years of age with preferred administration at 11 through 12.  If adolescents (13-18 miss getting Tdap at 11-12 yrs. then administer at the next patient encounter or sooner if that adolescent has close contact with infants.
19 years and older	Andy adult 19 yrs. of age or older who has not received a dose of Tdap should get one as soon as feasible- to protect themselves and infants.  This Tdap booster dose can replace one of the 10-year Td booster doses.  Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the previous Td dose.  Shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td may increase the risk of mild local reactogenicity but may be appropriate if your patient is at high risk for contracting pertussis, such as during an outbreak, or has close contact with infants.
Pregnant women	Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy, preferable at 27 through 36 weeks gestation.  By getting Tdap during pregnancy, maternal pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, likely providing protection against pertussis in early life, before the baby starts getting DTaP vaccines.  Tdap will also help protect the mother at time of deliver, making her less likely to transmit pertussis to her infant.  It is important that all family members and caregivers of the infant are up-to0date with their pertussis vaccines (DTaP or Tdap, depending on age) before coming into close contact with the infant.
Health Care Personnel	A single dose of Tdap is recommended for health care personnel who have not previously received Tdap as an adult and have direct patient contact.  Tdap vaccination can protect health care personnel against pertussis and help prevent them from spreading it to their patients.  Priority should be given to vaccinating those who have direct contact with babies younger than 12 months. Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the previous Td dose.  However, shorter intervals between Tdap and last Td may increase the risk of mild local reactogenicity.

Taken from the CDD at http://www.cdc.gov/Vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm

POSTED BY: Ilana Kutinsky, DO