Saturday, February 10, 2018 • Page 1B
Heart Disorders Can Mimic Anxiety or Panic Attacks
Preferred Health Directory
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights For The Leader A racing heart. A fluttering heart. Both are symptoms of anxiety. However, they can also signal a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia), such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib or AF, is a rapid and irregular heartbeat. It is the most common type of heart arrhythmia and increases the risk for stroke and heart failure. Proper Evaluation is Needed Sunil K. Reddy, M.D. , is an electrophysiologist (EP) affiliated with Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital and UT Physicians. EPs are cardiologists with additional training in treating the heart’s electrical system. Dr. Reddy says individuals can often dismiss a racing heart as anxiety. “Heart arrhythmias, such as AFib, and panic attacks can feel very simPhoto supplied ilar with shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain and light- Sunil K. Reddy, M.D., is an electrophysiologist (EP), a cardiologist with additional training in treating the heart’s electrical system. Affiliated with UT Physicians and Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, he performs heart headedness,” says Dr. Reddy. “Any- procedures at the hospital’s catheterization lab. one with these symptoms should be evaluated by a physician.” rial Hermann Greater Heights who The risk for AFib increases with perform these ablations are faculty age and is more common in indi- members of McGovern Medical viduals with high blood pressure, School at UTHealth and affiliated diabetes, obesity and European with the Center for Advanced Heart Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital ancestry. Approximately 2 percent Failure at Memorial Hermann Heart Monday, February 12 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. of individuals under age 65 have & Vascular Institute. AFib, but approximately 9 percent “We’ve had patients with AFib • Learn about community services for seniors of those older than 65 have AFib. who undergo an ablation and now • Hear from a panel of cardiologists including Dr. Reddy, followed enjoy a marked improvement in by Q&A Cardiac Catheter Ablation Can quality of life,” says Dr. Reddy. • Free health screenings Successfully Treat AFib • Heart-healthy buffet In the past, antiarrhythmic medi- “They’ve stopped toxic medicacations were the only treatment for tions, stayed out of the hospital Free event, but registration required as space is limited. patients with AFib. Now, newer, and, for one patient, come off her minimally invasive surgical treat- oxygen.” Call 713.222.CARE to register. ments, such as cardiac catheter ab- Advanced Cardiology Care lation, are providing patients with Close to Home better outcomes. The modern electrophysiology “Memorial Hermann Greater heat, is delivered through the cath“The success of a cardiac abla- lab at Memorial Hermann Greater tion depends on what we’re treat- Heights features an advanced map- Heights has some of the best tech- eter to destroy the tissue causing ing and the underlying health of the ping system that provides physicians nology in the city, which means abnormal heartbeats. This procedure heart,” says Dr. Reddy. “For certain with efficient, real-time, 3-D images advanced cardiology care in the sometimes requires an overnight hospital stay. patients with AFib, the success rate of a patient’s heart. This state-of-the- Heights,” says Dr. Reddy. During an ablation, a thin, flexible For an appointment to deterof ablation can be as high as 70 art technology significantly reduces tube, called a catheter, is inserted mine if symptoms are related to percent to 90 percent.” radiation exposure while giving phy- through a vein or artery into the anxiety or a heart condition, call Dr. Reddy and the affiliated sicians a clear view inside the heart. heart. Energy, similar to microwave 713.222.CARE. heart rhythm specialists at Memo-
chiropractic care
Northwest ChiropraCtiC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com
internal Medicine/Pediatrics Nutrition/ Weight Loss
Heart to Heart Senior Luncheon
713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com
obstetrics / Gynecology
Dr. Stephanie Fulton
Cord blood and tissue banking: is it worth it?
Stephanie Fulton, M.D.
1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com
Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com Soon-to-be mothers always want what’s best for their baby, and if there’s something they can do to help the baby in the future, they want to know about it. Cord blood and tissue banking is an option many local mothers are choosing. Cord blood refers to the blood inside the baby’s umbilical cord that has stem cells within it with the capability to grow into blood vessels, organs, and tissues. According to babycenter.com, cord blood is currently the subject of FDA-regulated clinical trials that explore their potential in helping people with autism, brain injury, and other conditions. Stem cells can help repair tissues, organs, blood vessels, and a multitude of diseases. Cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells. These stem cells are still immature and haven’t learned to attack foreign substances, making it easier to match them for a transplant because the stem cells are unlikely to reject the transfusion. More than eighty different diseases have been treated by cord blood stem cells; including, leukemia, aplastic anemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and many more. How the cord blood is collected is simple and painless. After birth the cord is clamped and cut in the usual way, then a needle is inserted into the umbilical vein where the cord is still attached to the placenta. One to five ounces of blood is drained into
Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A.
Major Hospitals Photo supplied Local resident Roger White had a heart attack back in March 2017, but has avoided re-hospitalization and dropped 40 pounds since the attack thanks to MHGH’s cardiac rehab program
a collection bag. Next, the blood is shipped, tested, and preserved at a bank. Cord tissue is the insulating tissue around the two arteries and one vein found in the umbilical cord, according to cyro-cell.com. Stem cells within the tissue was discovered in the 90s, and because cord blood banking was already established, it was simple to begin preserving the tissue to test it for possible therapeutic use. The stems cells in cord blood and cord tissue are different and both work in different ways. Currently clinical trials are being held for the potential in cord tissue to help treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. To bank cord tissue, a segment of six inches of the umbilical cord is cut and collected in a container of antibiotics for transfer to a laboratory for processing. There are two options when it See Blood P. 4B
MHGH cardiac rehab a blessing for local resident By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Heart attacks occur at a moment’s notice, necessitating action to keep results from becoming fatal, and Roger White experienced that firsthand last March when he was revived three times before slipping into a coma for 11 days following an attack. Once his immediate danger passed, however, the paradigm shifted to “what now”; and Memorial Hermann Greater Height’s cardiac rehab program has helped him answer that age-old question. MHGH’s cardiac rehab consists of a 12-week heart program geared towards patients who have had a major cardiac event, such as an angioplasty, stints or in White’s case, a heart attack. The CDC estimates 790,000 Americans experience
heart attacks each year; and while interventions exist to clear blocked arteries, more can be done to improve future heart health, such as cardiac rehab. The medically-supervised program shown to reduce the risk of re-hospitalization has already aided White and many others. “I’m definitely eating a little better now. I don’t eat a lot of fried food, and I really try to watch what I eat,” said White, 60. “I owe [my recovery] all to rehabilitation, and that program [at MHGH] really taught me how to exercise, too.” According to Bernice Ware, BSN, RN, Clinical Manager of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, the cardiac rehab program lessens the See Rehab P. 5B
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575
Setting the pace for cardiovascular care in Greater Houston. At Memorial Hermann, our team of world-renowned, affi liated heart physicians provides innovative cardiovascular care – from revolutionary new medications, to minimally invasive procedures for correcting atrial fibrillation or repairing heart valves to innovations in heart and lung transplants. These cutting-edge solutions are less traumatic and aim to reduce a patient’s pain and recovery time. Our innovations are putting Memorial Hermann at the forefront of advancing heart health in Greater Houston and helping our patients lead a better quality of life. Learn more about heart care at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital at heart.memorialhermann.org