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Northwell Pioneers Lipid Apheresis

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease including heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. Though elevated cholesterol (lipids) may be due to dietary indiscretion, it can also be due to genetic predisposition, called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH).

Patients are born with very high levels of cholesterol due to a genetic mutation of the cholesterol receptor in the liver and are less responsive to medications intended to lower lipid levels. This diagnosis can be made through routine cholesterol blood tests and a physical examination. Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) possess one normal, and one abnormal cholesterol receptor gene and this occurs in 1 out of 250 people.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) have two defective cholesterol receptor genes and this is seen in 1 out of 300,000 people. HoFH patients can have cholesterol levels above 400mg/dl and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels above 300mg/dl. Patients with FH can develop early coronary artery disease and are at greater risk for heart attacks and strokes and have a shorter life expectancy. Overall, patients with FH are 20 times more likely to develop heart disease.

Cholesterol reduction in these patients requires more than diet and exercise modifications to achieve target cholesterol levels. Lipid lowering therapy is required and statin drugs are the preferred treatment. However, 7 to 20 percent of patients maybe statin intolerant. Many of these patients treated with maximally tolerated dosages of statins may not achieve their cholesterol target and require multiple lipid lowering therapies. Patients who are at very high risk for cardiovascular events with persistent elevated cholesterol despite medical therapy may be candidates for Lipid Apheresis.

Lipid Apheresis is a treatment indicated for patients with coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease or elevated Lipoprotein, and elevated cholesterol despite medical therapy. It is reserved for patients with atherosclerosis or at very high cardiovascular risk in whom medical treatments have been ineffective, or those with HoFH who have had a limited response to standard cholesterol lowering therapies.

Lipid Apheresis is a lifelong procedure in which venous blood is filtered through an apheresis machine that removes the bad lipids and returns the “clean” blood back to the patient. The duration of the procedure ranges from two to four hours. The process significantly reduces total cholesterol components 70 to 80 percent, and lipoprotein 60 to 70 percent. The procedure is performed bi-weekly or weekly based on post procedure lipid levels.

North Shore University Hospital is the only center on Long Island and is just the third center in New York to offer this cutting-edge procedure. The first procedure on Long Island was led by Dr. Guy L. Mintz, FACP, FACC, FNLA, and his team at North Shore University Hospital.

“Lipid apheresis slows the progression of atherosclerosis, reduces vascular inflammation and in doing so, reduces the patient’s chances of a heart attack,” Mintz said.

Mintz is the director of the lipid apheresis at Northwell Health and the Director of Cardiovascular Health & Lipidology at North Shore University Hospital.

“The longer patients are exposed to very high levels of cholesterol, the earlier they develop heart disease,” Mintz said. “This is especially true in patients with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.”

Mintz emphasized the importance of reducing high cholesterol as early as possible and seeking a treatment that is best suited to reduce a patient’s cardiovascular risk. For some patients that might be as simple as diet and exercise. Other patients may need medical therapy. And for some, lipid apheresis might be the best option.

“We have brought new hope to a group of patients whose medications have failed,” Mintz said. “Apheresis is another important tool in our toolbox for treating these high-risk patients; early evaluation and intervention is an opportunity for cardiac prevention.”

Mintz can be reached at Northwell Health System (1350 Northern Blvd,, Suite 202, Manhasset) or by phone at 516-482-3401.

Guy L. Mintz, MD Apheresis machine

Breastfeeding Benefits Both Baby And Mom

Breastfeeding has health benefits for both babies and mothers. Breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition and supports growth and development. Breastfeeding can also help protect baby and mom against certain illnesses and diseases.

FIVE GREAT BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING.

1. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies.

As the baby grows, the mother’s breast milk will change to meet her baby’s nutritional needs.

2. Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases.

Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.

3. Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby.

These antibodies help babies develop a strong immune system and protect them from illnesses.

4. Mothers can breastfeed anytime and anywhere.

Mothers can feed their babies on the go without worrying about having to mix formula or prepare bottles. When traveling, breastfeeding can also provide a source of comfort for babies whose normal routine is disrupted.

5. Breastfeeding can reduce the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Breastfeeding has health benefits for the mother too. Some cancers, type 2 diabetes,

Breast milk antibodies help protect a baby from illness.

and high blood pressure are less common among women who breastfeed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods until a child is 12 months old or older. You can read the full recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics. —Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

DISCOVER THE FINEST IN SENIOR LIVING

The Bristal Assisted Living has been serving seniors and their families in the tri-state area since 2000, offering independent and assisted living, as well as state-of-the-art memory care programs. We are committed to helping residents remain independent, while providing peace of mind that expert care is available, if needed. Designed with seniors in mind, each of our communities feature exquisitely appointed apartments and beautiful common areas that are perfect for entertaining. On-site services and amenities include daily housekeeping, gourmet meals, a cinema, salon, plus so much more. Discover a vibrant community, countless social events with new friends, and a luxurious lifestyle that you will only find at The Bristal.

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY!

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Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity.

HOMES Recently Sold

This gem at 601 Rockland St. in Westbury sold on July 28 for $775,000. It is on a huge 120’ x 104’ lot which is close to highways, the train station and elementary schools. This home has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. It is a huge house, perfect for extended family. It has a full finished walk-out basement, a two-car attached garage and space in the driveway for additional cars. The family room has a wood burning fireplace. There is a formal dining room and an eat-in-kitchen. The living room is spacious. The main floor has hardwood floors. The roof was done seven years ago. The backyard is fenced and private. The home is gas heated.

This custom-built home at 30 Concord St. sits on an oversized property in Westbury Village. It sold on July 26 for $999,000. It is zoned for the Carle Place School District. The main house is a stately colonial with old world elegance. It has a living room with a fireplace and also has a large, cozy family room with a fireplace. The eat-in-kitchen has been renovated and it has a formal dining room. This home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms. There is a large, walk-up attic and an unfinished basement, both perfect for additional storage. As an extra bonus, there is an attached suite with a separate entrance for a home office or extra living space.

HOME & DESIGN

Smart Savers Thermostat Program

With temperatures of 90 degrees and above forecast for the rest of the week and into the weekend, PSEG Long Island will be activating its voluntary Smart Savers Thermostat Program to help create future savings for customers. The company also encourages its customers to be prepared for the extreme heat.

PSEG continues to expect to have enough electric capacity to meet customer demand for the high temperatures and high humidity. While there are no capacity concerns, PSEG is planning to activate its voluntary Smart Savers Thermostat program to reduce loading on the system, which helps create future savings for customers.

PSEG must purchase power in advance, basing the amount on load forecasts and state-mandated capacity requirements that incorporate peak-usage levels from previous years. By reducing peak usage this year, the company lowers the amount of power that must be purchased in advance for next summer.

Approximately 27,500 customers who have elected to participate in this program may experience on- and off-cycling of their central air conditioning systems, or a small increase in temperature, between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m.

Activating the program also allows PSEG to maintain an up-to-date assessment of the program’s capability to reduce demand on peak load days.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Set home thermostats or air conditioner units to 78 degrees. • Run major appliances such as

washing machines, dishwashers and pool pumps, in the morning or late evening to avoid the peak demand hours of 2 to 8 p.m. • Set refrigerators and freezers at most-efficient temperatures. • Do not cool an empty house. Set your thermostat higher when you are away, or use a smart thermostat to control the temperature. • Close blinds and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat. • Ceiling fans cool fast and cost less than air conditioning. (In hot weather, set your ceiling fan to spin quickly, counterclockwise to push air downward toward the floor.) • Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping. • Replace old appliances with new energy efficient ENERGY STAR appliances • Replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your air conditioner work harder. High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered, heat-related outages. PSEG will have additional personnel available to address outages safely and as quickly as possible.

STAY CONNECTED:

• Download the PSEG mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more • To report an outage and receive status updates via text, text OUT to

PSEGLI (773454) or visit us online at www.psegliny.com/outages • To report an outage or downed wire call 800-490-0075. —PSEG Long Island

Homes shown here represent closed sales, sold by a variety of agencies and are selected for their interest to readers by the Anton Media Group editor. Except where noted, data and photos are provided courtesy of Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc. and Zillow.

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