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.

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 

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

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  

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

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.

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

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.

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  

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.