Our unmatched care is now available in more locations, so your heart is always in the right place.
St. Francis Heart Center is now available at more Catholic Health practices and hospitals across Long Island, including Good Samaritan University Hospital, Mercy Hospital, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital. This means you have easier access to the most advanced treatments for cardiac diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, no matter where you live on the island.
For a location near you, visit chsli.org/heart
Drinking two or more cups of coffee a day may double the risk of death from cardiovascular disease among people with severe high blood pressure (160/100 mm Hg or higher) but not people with high blood pressure not considered severe, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
The study found that one cup of coffee and daily green tea consumption did not increase the risk of death related to cardiovascular disease at any blood pressure measurement, though both drinks contain caffeine. According to the FDA, an eightounce cup of green or black tea has 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine, and an eightounce cup of coffee has closer to 80 to 100 milligrams.
Previous research found that drinking one cup of coffee a day may help heart attack survivors by lowering their risk of death after a heart attack and may prevent heart attacks or strokes in healthy individuals. Separate studies have suggested drinking coffee regularly may reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes and some cancers; may help to control appetite; may help to lower the risk of depression or
boost alertness, though it is not clear if this effect is from the caffeine or something else in coffee. On the harmful side, too much coffee may raise blood pressure and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations and difficulty sleeping.
“Our study aimed to determine whether the known protective effect of coffee also applies to individuals with different degrees of hypertension; and also examined the effects of green tea in the same population,” explained the study’s senior author Hiroyasu Iso, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Institute for Global Health Policy Research, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo, and professor emeritus at Osaka University. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to find an association between drinking 2 or more cups of coffee daily and cardiovascular disease mortality among people with severe hypertension.”
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels is consistently too high, making the heart work harder to pump blood. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The current blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association and
classifies hypertension as a blood
pressure reading of 130/80
mm Hg or higher.
”These findings may support the assertion that people with severe high blood pressure should avoid drinking excessive coffee,” said Iso. “Because people with severe hypertension are more susceptible to the effects of caffeine, caffeine’s harmful effects may outweigh its protective effects and may increase the risk of death.”
The study found that people with more frequent coffee consumption were more likely to be younger, current smokers, current drinkers, eat fewer vegetables, and have higher total cholesterol levels and lower systolic blood pressure (top number) regardless of the blood pressure category.
The benefits of green tea may be explained by the presence of polyphenols, which are micronutrients with healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in plants. The researchers noted that polyphenols may be part of the reason only coffee consumption was associated with an increased risk of death in people with severe high blood pressure despite both green tea and coffee containing caffeine.
The research has several limitations: coffee and tea consumption were self-reported; blood pressure was measured at a single point, which did not account for changes over time; and the observational nature of the study could not draw a direct cause-and-effect connection between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease risk among people with severe high blood pressure.
Further study is needed, researchers said, to learn more about the effects of coffee and green tea consumption in people with high blood pressure and to confirm the effects of coffee and green tea consumption in other countries.
—American Heart Association
A bowl of chicken noodle soup always equals comfort. The vegetables add nutrition and an aromatic flavor. This soup can be prepared at a moment’s notice and turns mealtime into a warm and satisfying experience.
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 medium carrots (thinly sliced)
2 medium ribs of celery, leaves discarded, thinly sliced
1 small onion (diced)
4 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, all visible fat discarded, cut into bite-size pieces.
3 cups water
3 tablespoons fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, minced.
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (crumbled)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper ((coarsely ground preferred))
6 ounces dried no-yolk noodles
Heat the oil in the pressure cooker on sauté. Cook the carrots, celery, and onion for three minutes, or until the carrots and celery are tender and the onion is soft, stirring frequently. Stir in the broth, chicken, water, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure. Remove the pressure cooker lid. Set the pressure cooker to sauté. Heat until the soup comes to a simmer. Stir in the noodles. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring frequently. Serves six, two-cups serving size.
—American Heart Association
You may be thinking of ways to take better care of yourself in the new year. The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests making a commitment to get to know your skin better—learning about the warning signs of skin cancer and what to do if you see something suspicious could save your life.
“Skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer, but it is often overlooked or dismissed,” said Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “It is one of the most curable forms of cancer if diagnosed and treated early. But if allowed to grow, certain types of skin cancer can become disfiguring and even deadly.”
Increase your chances of spotting a skin cancer before it becomes dangerous:
1Learn the warning signs of skin cancer.
A good rule of thumb is to look out for anything new, changing or unusual on your skin. This could be a mole or birthmark that increases in size, thickness, changes color or texture or is bigger than a pencil eraser. A skin cancer can also appear as a growth that increases in size and appears pearly, transparent, tan, brown, black or multicolored. Other warning signs include a spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab or bleed, especially if it does not heal within three weeks.
2Perform a monthly self-exam. By dedicating some time every few weeks to take a thorough look at your skin, you’re giving yourself the best chance of noticing anything suspicious early on. Try picking one date to perform your self-exam every month or setting up a reminder on your phone to ensure you stay on track. Taking photos of any spots that are new or changing can help you keep track of potential problems.
3Schedule a professional exam. See a dermatologist for a professional skin exam at least once a year. Dermatologists are specially trained to recognize the signs
of skin cancer and can look at any spots you may have noted in your self-exams. If you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer (you have a history of melanoma, for example), your dermatologist may suggest more frequent examinations.
“Remember, skin cancer is the cancer you can see,” Sarnoff said. “Unlike cancers that develop inside the body, skin cancers form on the outside and are usually visible. If you see anything suspicious on your skin, make an appointment with a dermatologist right away.”
—The Skin Cancer Foundation
Music at the MART, kindly funded by Michael Ardolino/Realty Connect USA, is presented by the Staller Center’s Educational Outreach Program in partnership with the Stony Brook University Department of Music and the Stony Brook Cancer Center. The collaboration between the various departments at Stony Brook is a combined effort to provide patients with cancer a relaxing environment while offering the therapeutic benefits of live music. The Cancer Center’s outpatient services are on levels 5 and 6 in the Medical and Research Translation (MART) building, where these outstanding musicians provide music for patients before they go to an appointment or receive infusion therapy every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
The Staller Center’s Educational Outreach Program collaborates with Stony Brook University’s Music Department by hiring these skilled musicians to perform at interactive workshops for kids aged three to eight called the Instrument Petting Zoo (IPZ) in libraries, nonprofits, and other venues. The IPZ concept is modified with music at the MART for adults.
“The Stony Brook Music Department is thrilled to begin this collaboration between its music students and the Cancer Center,” said violinist Stephanie Bonk. “’Music at the Mart’ allows music students to perform in the Stony Brook community, and the chance to connect with patients, and hopefully offer a little comfort during these times.”
Christina Faber, director of cancer center support services at the Stony Brook Cancer Center and Paul Newland, director educational programming from the Staller Center made a connection after the opening night French film, Peaceful at the 2022 Stony Brook Film Festival. They discussed a shared vision and how they might incorporate music into the Cancer Center.
Michael Ardolino, a community leader in the Three Village area who supports several campus initiatives, was interested in this idea and offered to help launch it.
“The Music at the MART program is an amazing way to support the arts while impacting the lives of patients receiving care and, maybe, even bring a smile to the faces of the Stony Brook Cancer Center staff. I’m thrilled to support the pilot program and to help get it started,” said Ardolino.
—Staller Center for the Arts
Gladys M. Ayala, MD, who has served as vice dean and professor of medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine, has become the school’s new dean and chief academic officer.
“At NYU Long Island School of Medicine, we have a unique opportunity to train the next generation of primary care physicians with excellence in clinical skills, along with the skills to address healthcare disparities; and we do it in three years,” Ayala said. “In this exciting new chapter, I will continue to work collaboratively with the faculty and educational leaders to advance medical education through innovation that will shape the physicians of tomorrow and enhance the care delivered to patients.”
diverse workforce, deepening community engagement to promote health equity, and expanding population health and health systems research on campus.
Gladys M. Ayala, MD
Ayala’s career in medical education spans more than 25 years, and she has initiated numerous programs for medical students to enhance their medical school experience. She has taught medical students in New York State about the principles of primary care, history, and clinical skills since 1994 and is passionate about the impact that primary care doctors who are trained in cultural competency can have on the health and wellness of communities denied health equity.
Ayala’s appointment follows the retirement of the school’s founding dean, Steven P. Shelov, MD. She has led MD curriculum development and implementation and oversaw the areas of MD admissions and the Office of Students and Diversity at NYU Long Island School of Medicine since 2018. As vice dean, she also led the school’s latest strategic planning process that will focus on four main goals: advancing medical education, developing a
Before coming to NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Ayala was the vice chancellor for university student affairs and interim vice dean at New York Medical College’s School of Medicine in Valhalla, New York. A native New Yorker, she received her doctorate in medicine from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1986 and her master’s in public health from Columbia University in 2007.
Ayala lives in Westbury.
—NYU Long Island School of Medicine
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced the appointment of Stuart Rabinowitz, Esq. to its board of directors. Rabinowitz, the former longtime President of Hofstra University and a Woodbury resident, brings an extensive background in education, business, and law to his new role.
“Stuart Rabinowitz is an innovative, passionate leader with extensive experience and a strong desire to help others,” said Bert E. Brodsky, AFA’s founder and board chairman. “We are proud to welcome him to our team and look forward to working with him to further enhance AFA’s programs, services, and reach to better serve the more than six million American families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.”
Rabinowitz is senior counsel to Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP in Mineola. Prior to that, he spent nearly 50 years working in educational and leadership roles at Hofstra University, starting as a law professor at Hofstra Law School in 1972 and rising to dean of the law school in 1989. In 2001, he became the eighth president of the university.
“I am honored to be elected to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Board of Directors and look forward to furthering the mission of improving patient care, providing valuable patient family resources, and fostering public awareness,” Rabinowitz said.
As president, Rabinowitz led Hofstra to significantly expand its offerings and create several new schools, including the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, the Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs and the School of Health Professions and Human Services. He also founded the National Center for Suburban Studies, the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Cybersecurity Innovation and Research Center. In addition, he brought Hofstra to the national stage as host of three different presidential debates (2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential elections), the only university
ever to do so.
Prior to his work at Hofstra, Rabinowitz worked at Rosenman & Colin LLP for a number of years and as an associate law professor at his alma mater, Columbia Law School.
Additionally, Rabinowitz served in numerous other leadership positions, including as a Long Island Association board member and co-vice chair of the Long
Island Regional Economic Development Council. He is currently a member of the New York State Commission of Continuing Legal Education.
He has received many awards for his service, among them the Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award, EOC; Distinguished Service in the Cause of Justice, Legal Aid Society; UJA Federation Leadership Award; the Bar Association of Nassau County Proclamation for Outstanding Service to the legal profession and the community; and the Conference of Jewish Organizations of Nassau County’s Community Service Award.
AFA is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and fund research for better treatment and a cure. Individuals who have questions about Alzheimer’s disease or need support services can contact AFA at 866-232-8484 or through its website, www.alzfdn.org.
—Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
What’s our greatest asset at The Bristal Assisted Living communities? It’s the lifetime of interests and experiences you bring to it. After all, that’s what makes you special. A caring team that spends the time getting to know you so you can continue nurturing, sharing and exploring those interests? Well, that’s what makes us special, too.
See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area. thebristal.com
