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Thursday, April 30, 2015

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE (DINNER): BLACKENED FISH

·         2 TBSP yellow cornmeal
·         2 TBSP paprika
·         1 tsp. dried thyme
·         ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
·         Coarse salt and pepper
·         4 fish fillets (about 1½ lbs.)
·         Lemon wedges
·         Cooking spray


1.      Heat broiler and coat the rack of a broiler pan with cooking spray
2.      In a shallow bowl, stir together corn meal, paprika, thyme, cayenne, salt and pepper
3.      Dredge fillets in cornmeal mixture, turning once to coat, then shake off excess and place on prepared rack
4.      Broil for 10-12 minutes until opaque throughout and blackened on the outside
5.      Serve immediately with lemon wedges


Servings:  4
Serving size:  1 (6 ounce) fillet

Nutritional Information
Calories:  257
Fat:  2 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g                  TIP:             
Cholesterol:  65 mg                Use the mild fish of your choosing,
Sodium:  210 mg                    such as tilapia.
Carbohydrate:  6 g              .       
Fiber:  2 g
Protein:  27 g

"The Perfect Day"
By: Nanette Cameron, RD

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

LAB RESULTS, HOW TO ENSURE YOU WILL GET YOURS...

Ever been to your doctor and asked for your lab results and they aren't in your chart? This is because while most office run on some type of EMR (Electronic Medical Record), those EMR's don't connect with one another.  So if you had labs done at your PCP (Primary Care Physicians) office and didn't ask them to forward them to your Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Hematologist, etc. The only person seeing the blood work will be your PCP.

If you have blood work done at a lab such as Quest Diagnostic or a Beaumont Lab these labs will get mailed or faxed to  ONLY the ordering physician.  If any of your physicians have access to EPIC, (The EMR that Beaumont uses) then they will be able to access your records.  Unfortunately Quest labs don't have don't have a system physician's can access from their offices, so the only way a specific physician will get your results is if you tell Quest where to send them.

In review, Labs taken at:
Physicians office:  Ask them to send labs to every physician office you think may need or want them

Quest Diagnostic:  Ask them to send labs to every physician office you think may need or want them

Beaumont Lab:   Ask them to send labs to every physician office you think may need or want them (Just to be certain)

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE (LUNCH): CABBAGE BEEF SOUP

·         1 lb. lean ground sirloin
·         1 large onion, chopped
·         5 cups cabbage, chopped
·         2 (15.5 ounces each) cans red kidney beans, drained
·         4 cups beef broth low sodium
·         2 cups water
·         24 ounces tomato sauce
·         1½ tsp. cumin
·         ½ tsp. salt
·         1 tsp. pepper


1.      Heat a large skillet over medium heat
2.      Add the ground beef and onion, cook until beef is well browned and crumbled
3.      Drain fat and transfer to slow cooker
4.      Add cabbage, kidney beans, broth, tomatoes sauce and spices
5.      Stir to mix ingredients well
6.      Cook on high settings for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours


Servings:  10
Serving size:  2 cups

Nutritional Information
Calories:  215
Fat:  6 g
Saturated Fat:  2 g                          
Cholesterol:  220 mg              
Sodium:  680 mg                  
Carbohydrate:  21 g            
Fiber:  8 g
Protein:  114 g

"The Perfect Day"
By: Nanette Cameron, RD

Monday, April 27, 2015

ACCESS YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION ONLINE!!!!!

WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THE PATIENT
 PORTAL AT MICHIGAN HEART GROUP

·         24/7 accessibility to medical records and important health information form any computer or smart phone
·         Quicker test results online
·         You now have the ability to email the office securely for:
§  Direct messaging to your physician
§  Appointment requests
§  Prescription refill requests

                                                                                                                                                         

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE PATIENT PORTAL AT
 MICHIGAN HEART GROUP

·         Go to www.mhgpc.com
·         Click the link on the left hand side of the page that says “Patient Portal”
·         Click “Create an Account”
·         Fill in the necessary account information
·         You will be directed to page called “Select a Log-in Method”. Click on the logo..........

·         Create a Username and Password and enter in your email address.  Click “continue”
              **Write your username down somewhere secure, if lost we cannot 
                 recover it**
·         You will be directed to a page that says, “Request Connection to Healthcare Organization”.  Type in the zip code 48098 and hit enter, and then select “Connect” next to Michigan Heart Group.
·         Click on the “Next” button where you will be directed to ta page that says, “Sign Release of Information Authorization”.  Select “I Accept”.
·         Once your account has been matched with your health record at our office you will receive an email notification, then you are ready to use the portal and view all of your information.
                                                                                                                                                            

Friday, April 24, 2015

DENTAL EXTRACTION PRIOR TO CARDIAC SURGERY MAY NOT BE AS SAFE AS PREVIOUSLY BELIEVED

Forbes (2/28, 6.03M) contributor Larry Husten writes that research published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery suggests that dental extraction prior to cardiac surgery may not be as safe as previously believed. Investigators looked at data from more than 200 patients who had a tooth extracted before undergoing a cardiac operation. The researchers “found a higher than expected (8%) rate of adverse outcomes, defined as death, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, renal failure requiring dialysis, and postoperative mechanical ventilation.” In a press release, first author Mark Smith said, “Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association label dental extraction as a minor procedure, with the risk of death or non-fatal heart attack estimated to be less than 1%.” But, according to Smith, “Our results...documented a higher rate of major adverse outcomes, suggesting physicians should evaluate individualized risk of anesthesia and surgery in this patient population.”

Posted by:  Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE (BREAKFAST): BLUEBERRY FLAX PANCAKES

1 ½ cups dry whole wheat pancake mix
½ cup ground flax seed
1 cup light soy milk
4 egg whites
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries thawed


1.      Set a nonstick skillet over medium heat
2.      In a medium bowl, stir together the pancake mix and the flax seed meal
3.      In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the milk and egg whites
4.      Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and stir together until moistened
5.      Spoon ¼ cup batter onto the non-stick skillet and sprinkle with blueberries
6.      Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip and cook until browned on the other side


Servings:  4
Serving size:  3 pancakes

Nutritional Information
Calories:  355
Fat:  10 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g                                       
Cholesterol:  107 mg                                    
Sodium:  79 mg                                         
Carbohydrate:  54 g
Fiber:  6 g
Protein:  14 g


Serving Suggestion:
Add 21 grams of protein such as 4 egg whites scrambled.

"The Perfect Day"
By: Nanette Cameron, RD

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Do you snore or have a tendency towards excessive tiredness during the waking hours?  Do you tend to fall asleep when sitting and watching TV or feel close to nodding off driving?  Have you been noted to stop breathing while asleep or awaken suddenly gasping for breath?  If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you might be in need of an evaluation for sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is increasingly being recognized as either causative or contributing to many serious medical disorders including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and stroke.  Diagnosing and treating it can be very instrumental in warding off bad outcomes from these problems.  We know that cardiac patients with sleep apnea who are treated effectively for it have fewer complications and hospitalizations for such things as resistant hypertension, heart failure, angina, and cardiac arrhythmia. 

Sleep apnea can be diagnosed after eliciting the symptoms/signs discussed above followed by a sleep study (either done formally in a dedicated accredited sleep lab, or through screening on home studies. 

Once diagnosed a careful assessment of the patient might suggest whether they could be treated most effectively with a CPAP mask or whether they might be a candidate for a dental oral appliance.  In certain cases ENT evaluation and surgery might also help correct the problem.

The benefits of treating sleep apnea include a reduction in cardiac events and the progression of hypertension or development of diabetes.  Improved vitality and energy levels are commonly seen as well.  As a practicing interventional cardiologist I have looked for and referred many patients for treatment.  Effective treatment has had a huge benefit in their quality of life on followup visits. 

Please talk with your doctor if you suspect that you have some of the symptoms described above.  You will likely be very happy that you did!



POSTED BY: Steven Ajluni, MD FACC

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE (DINNER): BALSAMIC GLAZED TUNA

·         1¼ tsp. ground pepper
·         ¼ tsp. salt (optional)
·         4 (6 ounce) tuna steaks
·         ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth (Kitchen Basic)
·         ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
·         ¼ cup Splenda
·         1 TBSP low-sodium soy sauce
·         1½ tsp. cornstarch
·         ¼ cup green onion, chopped
·         Cooking spray

1.      Place skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat
2.      Season tuna steak with salt and pepper
3.      Place fish on skillet and cook for 3 minutes on each side until medium rare, then remove from heat
4.      To make glaze: combine broth, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small pan and bring to a boil
5.      Cook one minute, stirring constantly
6.      Spoon glaze over tuna, top with onion and serve

Servings:  4
Serving size:  1 tuna steak and 2 tablespoons of glaze

Nutritional Information
Calories:  210
Fat:  0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g                 TIP:             
Cholesterol:  35 mg               The glaze may be made one or two
Sodium:  366 mg                    days ahead to save time.
Carbohydrate:  5 g              .       
Fiber:  0 g
Protein:  40 g

"The Perfect Day"
By: Nanette Cameron, RD

Monday, April 20, 2015

MICHIGAN HEART GROUP'S LOCATIONS AND SATELLITE OFFICES

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
(248) 267-5050
www.mhgpc.com
OPEN MON-FRI (7AM-4PM), Different Physicians are in on different days (see below)

Steven L. Almany, MD (Wednesday and Friday)
Steven C. Ajluni, MD (Monday and Wednesday)
William D. Devlin, MD (Tuesday and Thursday)
Terry R. Bowers, MD (Monday and Wednesday)
Michael J. Gallagher, MD (Tuesday and Friday)

Beaumont Michigan Heart Rhythm Group
4550 Investment Drive, #250
Troy, MI 48098
(248) 267-5050
OPEN MON-FRI (7AM-4PM), Different Physicians are in on different days (see below)

David R. Cragg, MD (Wednesday and Thursday)
Brian D. Williamson, MD (Tuesday and Friday)
Ilana B. Kutinsky, DO (Monday and Thursday)

SATELLITE OFFICES:
Beaumont Western Wayne Heart Group
39500 Ten Mile, #103
Novi, MI 48375
(248) 267-5050
Physicians in on certain days (see below)

Steven C. Ajluni, MD (Most Tuesdays)
William D. Devlin, MD (3rd Monday of the Month)
Ilana B. Kutinsky, DO (2nd Wednesday of the Month)

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group- Macomb
15959 Hall Road, #304
Macomb, MI 48044
(248) 267-5050
Physicians in on certain days (see below)

David R. Cragg, MD (Friday morning)
Terry R. Bowers, MD (Thursday morning)
Michael J. Gallagher, MD (Wednesday afternoon)

Friday, April 17, 2015

TESTOSTERONE SUPPLEMENTS LINKED TO INCREASED HEART ATTACK RISK IN MEN

The CBS Evening News (1/29, story 9, 1:45, Pelley, 5.58M) reported that new research suggests “a link between testosterone supplements and heart attacks.”

USA Today (1/30, Szabo, 5.82M) reports that the study, published in PLOS One, found that “taking testosterone therapy doubled the risk of heart attack among men over age 65 and nearly tripled the risk in younger men with a history of heart disease.” This research, “which involved 56,000 men, is the latest in a series of studies raising concerns about the heart attack risk from testosterone therapy, whose popularity has ballooned in recent years.”

On its website, NBC News (1/30, Fox, 6.79M) reports that “to be sure,” the researchers “compared the men getting testosterone to those getting prescriptions for erectile dysfunction drugs, as the two groups are similar in many ways.” The investigators found that the ED medications “only very slightly raised the risk of heart attack.”

The New York Times (1/30, O'Connor, 9.61M) “Well” blog reports, “By itself, the new study, which was not a randomized trial...’may not tell us very much,’ said Dr. Michael Lauer, the director of cardiovascular sciences at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, who was not involved in the study.” However, added Dr. Lauer, “when you put this together with the rest of the medical literature, this tells us that we potentially have a problem.” Meanwhile, “in a statement, Andrea Fischer, an F.D.A. spokeswoman, said the agency was reviewing the new findings.”

On its website, TIME (1/30, Sifferlin, 21.77M) reports that although it is unclear “why testosterone can harm the heart, some studies suggest that it can lower levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, and therefore increase the risk of heart disease.”

Meanwhile, on the CBS News (1/30, 3.87M) website, CBS’ Dr. Jon Lapook writes that a “possible way testosterone might be causing problems is by increasing clotting within arteries supplying the heart.”

Forbes (1/30, 6.03M) contributor Ed Silverman points out that these “findings come amid years of aggressive promotion of testosterone treatments.” Research “published last fall in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that annual prescriptions for these elixirs rose more than five-fold from 2000 to 2011, reaching 5.3 million prescriptions.” The Los Angeles Times (1/30, Healy, 3.07M) “Science Now” blog also covers the story.


Posted by:  Steven Almany M.D.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE (LUNCH): BOK CHOY SALAD

Salad:
·         1 large bunch bok choy, cleaned and chopped
·         1 bunch green onions, chopped
·         2 cups sliced mushrooms
·         2-3 five ounce cooked chicken breasts, diced
·          1 cup strawberries, sliced
·         ½ cup water chestnuts
·         1 cup fresh bean sprouts

Dressing:
·         1 cup white vinegar
·         ¼ cup water
·         ⅓ to ½ cup canola oil
·         ⅓ cup Splenda
·         2 TBSP low sodium soy sauce


1.      In a large bowl, mix chopped vegetables, strawberries and chicken together
2.      In a separate jar or container with a lid, mix all dressing ingredients together and shake well
3.      Pour dressing over salad, let stand for 1 hour and serve


Servings:  4
Serving size:  2 cups

Nutritional Information
Calories:  300
Fat:  10 g
Saturated Fat:  .5 g                         
Cholesterol:  56 mg              
Sodium:  200 mg                  
Carbohydrate:  12 g            
Fiber:  4 g
Protein:  40 g

"The Perfect Day"
By: Nanette Cameron, RD

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

COME JOIN OUR TEAM...

MEDICAL ASSISTANT:
Primary responsibilities include bringing patients back to be seen, taking patient vital signs, calling in prescriptions, distributing samples to patients, inputting health information into electronic medical records and other miscellaneous job related duties.

Previous medical assistant training and certification is necessary and required for consideration of this position.  Prior experience with EPIC and AllScripts Electronic Medical Record software programs is preferred.  Part time and full time positions available.  Please include salary requirements.

Please direct resumes to Mariann Graham at fax number (248) 267-5051.

MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST:
Primary responsibilities will include checking patients in and out, scheduling, answering telephones, verifying insurances, obtaining insurance authorizations collecting money and coordinating hospital procedures with testing appointments and device checks, etc. 

The Medical Receptionist will have to offer strong levels of organizational and time management. This individual will have to be comfortable independently assessing and solving operational issues. 

Please direct resumes to Ruth Moore at fax number (248) 267-5051

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE (BREAKFAST): BLUEBERRY BREAD PUDDING

2 ½ cups plain or vanilla soy milk
½ cup nonfat egg substitute
1 TBSP vanilla extract
¼ cup Splenda
8 slices 100% whole wheat light bread, cubed
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ cup frozen blueberries
Cooking Spray

1.      Preheat the oven to 350˚
2.      Lightly spray a loaf pan with cooking spray
3.      In a large mixing bowl combine soy milk, egg substitute, vanilla and Splenda
4.      Add the bread cubes and cinnamon and mix well
5.      Fold in blueberries
6.      Pour the mix into the baking pan
7.      Cover and bake for 45 minutes in a preheated oven
8.      Uncover and allow to bake for 15 more minutes
9.      Remove from oven and allow to sit for a few minutes
10.  Serve warm

Servings:  6
Serving size:  1 slice

Nutritional Information
Calories:  235
Fat:  5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g                           TIP:
Cholesterol:  .5 mg                             The bread pudding is done when a toothpick
Sodium:  391 mg                                 inserted in the center comes out clean.   
Carbohydrate:  39 g
Fiber:  4 g
Protein:  8 g

Serving Suggestion:
Add 10 grams of protein such as two hard-boiled eggs, but only eat one yolk.

"The Perfect Day"
By: Nanette Cameron, RD

Monday, April 13, 2015

2015 MICHIGAN HEART GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Michigan Heart Group closes in observance of all the major holiday's.  The 2015 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 days before closing, are not guaranteed to be called in.

Monday
May 25, 2015
Memorial Day
Friday
July 3, 2015
Independence Day
Monday
September 7, 2015
Labor Day
Thursday
November 26, 2015
Thanksgiving
Friday
November 27, 2015  
Day after Thanksgiving
Thursday
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
Friday
December 25, 2015
Christmas Day
Thursday
December 31, 2015
New Year’s Eve (1/2 day)
Friday
January 1, 2016
New Year’s Day


Thank you:

The Michigan Heart Group Staff

Friday, April 10, 2015

USPSTF RECOMMENDS SCREENING OLDER MALE SMOKERS FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

CQ (1/28, Adams, Subscription Publication, 967) reports that “the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said Monday that older male smokers can reduce their chances of dying from an abdominal aortic aneurysm by” undergoing screening with an ultrasound. The USPSTF “said, however that evidence was not sufficient to justify such ‘AAA’ screening for woman.”

HealthDay (1/28, 5K) reports that “according to the task force, men aged 65 to 75 who have never smoked should talk to their health care provider about whether they might benefit from one-time screening.” Additionally, the USPSTF “said further research is still needed to assess if screening is beneficial for women aged 65 to 75 who are current or former smokers.” However, “screening is not recommended for women who have never smoked.”

MedPage Today (1/28, Neale, 122K) reports, “When drafting the new recommendations, the USPSTF relied on an updated evidence review.” Investigators who analyzed data from “four randomized trials revealed that a one-time invitation for screening was associated with significantly reduced rates of AAA rupture, emergent surgery, and AAA-related deaths in men 65 or older, with the mortality benefit becoming apparent 3 years after screening and lasting out to 15 years.” The findings were published online in Annals of Internal Medicine. The article points out that “overall, the recommendations are similar to those released by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association in 2005.” Also covering the story are Aunt Minnie (1/28, 1K), HealthImaging


Posted by:  Steven Almany M.D.