Central Florida Health News February 2021

tude of excited Jollibee patrons waiting to get their hands on their Jollibee favorites, but also first-timers waiting to have their own Jollibee experience," said Jose Miñana, Jollibee Foods Corporation's Group President for North America.

"There's no greater joy for us than serving the needs and tastes of Jollibee fans in the community. At Jollibee, we aim to bring families together for happy moments over great tasting food with superior value, served with warm and friendly service –our own brand of joy." The brand has become a symbol of nostalgia and warm childhood memories for many overseas Filipinos in the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the go-to restaurant of Filipinos for both special

10 | issue 11 | February 2021

Heart Health

See

get to try Jollibee's signature menu items such as the world famous Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately breaded to be crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious inside. The well-loved Jolly Spaghetti is a favorite of both kids and kids-at-heart because of its signature sweetstyle sauce, loaded with chunky slices of savory ham, ground meat, and hotdog. Other classic menufavorites include the juicy and cheesy Jolly Hotdog, and the Peach Mango Pie, which is made with real Philippine sweet mangoes and a flaky golden brown crust.

largest Asian restaurant company, is now open in Jacksonville. This is the 36th store in the US, as well as the first in the state and Southeast US. It opened to the public on March 18, 2017. Jacksonville is the most populous city in the Sunshine State, as well as home to the largest FilipinoAmerican community in Florida. The longawaited arrival of Jollibee in the city has

February Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the aging population, the number of people affected by AMD is expected to increase significantly in the years ahead.

There are two forms of AMD, dry and wet. About 80% of people with AMD have the dry form. This condition is due to a breakdown or thinning of the macula. Dry AMD usually begins when yellow deposits called drusen form in the macula. As the dry form of the disease progresses it can cause significant vision loss as well. At this time there is no treatment for dry AMD although several clinical trials are underway so there may be options available in the near future. Wet AMD is less common but has more severe vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina in the area of the macula and leak blood or fluids, causing blurry vision and scarring. Vision loss is often faster with wet AMD. Treatment is available in the form of injections but it is important to catch it early for the best visual outcome.

Certain risk factors can increase your chance of developing AMD. These risk factors include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Having a family history also increases the risk. Caucasians are at a higher risk, especially those with light eyes. Females often develop AMD at an earlier age than males. It is also believed that the blue light emitted from electronic devices may increase the risk of macular degeneration.

There are a few lifestyle modifications that can lower the risk of progression of AMD. Cessation of cigarette smoking along with a healthy diet that includes green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale may be helpful for protecting against AMD. The AREDS 2 clinical study found that nutritional supplements containing antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin can lower the risk of AMD progressing to wet AMD. Wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from harmful UV rays is recommended. Coatings that reduce the amount of blue light that is transmitted can also be added to your eyeglass lenses.

The most valuable way to protect your eyesight is by having regular eye examinations. Doing this can help you catch eye problems early. It is important to schedule an exam immediately if changes in your central vision are noted. Our doctors at the Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida value your vision and are here to help you with all of your eye care needs. You can learn more about our doctors and our 8 locations by visiting our website, EYESFL.COM or call us at 800-282-3937.

EVENT DETAILS REGISTRATION

Month-long event

Begin your online virtual health expo experience at centralfloridamediagroup.com/ virtual-health-expo/

FREE to register and sign up to be entered into our drawing for a $25 gift card.

EVENT EXHIBITORS

Care Plus specializes in Medicare Advantage HMO Plans to meet the different healthcare needs of their members. Visit their virtual booth for more details and to learn how to receive your free prize.

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. It is the world’s largest non profit funder of Alzheimer’s research and all other dementia.

Central Florida Media Group offers professional content marketing, niche advertising, website development, SEO, social media management, publicity, blogs, videography and more. Visit our virtual booth for more details.

LOOKING TO BECOME A VENDOR?

If you would like to be a part of the Central Florida Virtual Health Expo - register online at https://centralfloridamediagroup.com/ central-florida-health-2020-2021/

CENTRAL FLORIDA VIRTUAL HEALTH EXPO

JULIA KING, OD

This column is sponsored by Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Dr. Julia King is a Board Certified Optometrist that practices at the Lake Wales location for Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida.

AN EMERGENCY IS STILL AN EMERGENCY. EVEN DURING THIS EMERGENCY.

Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from getting emergency treatment.

Even during a pandemic, you still need to be treated immediately if you have an emergency. Debating whether or not to risk going to an emergency room during a heart attack, stroke or other health emergency—waiting even a few extra minutes—could be harmful. That’s why in all BayCare hospital emergency rooms, patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 are screened and treated in a separate area. This helps keep emergency room patients and our team members safe. So if it’s an emergency, don’t wait. For more information: BayCareEmergencyCare.org

CONTENTS | February 2021

Keeping Her Heart in the Game

Heart disease can be a challenge, and frame of mind can make a huge difference. No one knows this more than Lake Wales’ Chands Leath, who is learning to cope with her diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy and “Broken Heart Syndrome.” Learn more about her journey through diagnosis and heart-healthy lifestyle choices.

Medical Advances

A new treatment for acute heart failure could be on the horizon as Watson Clinic’s Center for Research is currently investigating a special drug that may be effective for preventing cardiovascular death after a serious cardiac event. We take a closer look at the drug, dapagliflozin, and the promise it could hold for the future.

Teaming With Technology

As smart speakers with digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri continue to become a growing part of everyday life, incorporating that technology at the hospital seems like a natural step. BayCare recently announced it will utilize smart technology in 2,500 hospital rooms across its 14 Tampa Bay-area hospitals.

Pop Quiz!

On the Cover

For more photos from this edition, follow us on Facebook. Scan the QR code here with your smart device.

JOLLIBEE page 15 and sustainable sourcing, local and seasonal produce, and global flavors

A healthy heart is one of the most important factors for overall health, yet there are many interconnected medical conditions that play a role in how strong your heart is. This edition focuses on multiple aspects of cardiovascular fitness and how you can make sure your heart is in the best condition.

2

5

tastes of Jollibee fans in the community. At Jollibee, we aim to bring families together for happy moments over great tasting food with superior value, served with warm and friendly service our own brand of joy." The brand has become symbol of nostalgia and warm childhood memories for many overseas Filipinos in the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the go-to restaurant of Filipinos for both special been the talk of the town since 2016. With the opening, Floridians will get to try Jollibee's signature menu items such as the world famous Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately breaded to be crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious inside. The well-loved Jolly Spaghetti a favorite of both kids and kids-at-heart because of its signature sweetstyle sauce, loaded with chunky slices of savory ham, ground meat, and hotdog. Other classic menufavorites include the juicy and cheesy Jolly Hotdog, and the Peach Mango Pie, which made with real Philippine sweet mangoes and a flaky golden brown crust. 8 CALENDAR 17 HEART HEALTH 18 HEALTHY COOK

POLK COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

4315 Highland Park Blvd, Suite B

Lakeland, Florida 33813

863-644-4051

2021 OFFICERS

JAMES J. BOOKER, MD President

GEORGE LYLE, MD Secretary

STUART PATTERSON, MD Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

RALPH NOBO, JR., MD, Chair

GEORGE LYLE, MD

STUART PATTERSON, MD

GARY SCHEMMER, MD

SERGIO SEOANE, MD

ARVIND SONI, MD

JACKIE COURTNEY

Executive Director

4315 Highland Park Blvd Suite B

Lakeland, Florida 33813

The Heart of the Matter

February is reserved for all things heart-related. It’s when we celebrate the special people in our lives, and it’s also when we celebrate American Heart Month. So why not combine the two? What better motivation to keep your ticker in tip-top shape than the gift of your own health for the ones you love?

This year’s heart month events look a lot different than in the past. Many walks and fundraisers have been moved to virtual, or at least modified, platforms to promote social distancing and safety during the pandemic. Still, the most important education and awareness activities start with you in your own home. Embracing a healthy diet, limiting high-risk activities such as smoking and drinking, and staying active to get your heart pumping are basic practices you can adopt that are great for your cardiac health.

In this edition of Central Florida Health News, you can learn about Chands Leath, a Lake Wales woman who is

using positivity and the very steps just mentioned to cope with her heart disease diagnosis.

Inside, you can explore Watson Clinic Center for Research’s new clinical trial of the drug dapagliflozin. The drug is currently approved by the FDA primarily for use in patients who have type 2 diabetes, but it potentially holds hope for patients who experience acute heart failure.

Did you know that dental problems also can increase your risk for heart disease? Don’t forget to check your knowledge with our Pop Quiz on oral health.

Finally, find out how BayCare is using the technology of virtual health assistants to improve patient care. Join us this month in taking care of your heart and celebrating the life it gives! HN

Some of the benefits of a PCMA membership include the following:

✱ Physician referrals

✱ Medical malpractice discounts with The Doctors Company

✱ Ongoing relevant communication

✱ Access to CME Programs

✱ Workers compensation insurance benefits

✱ Complimentary Socials/ dinners

✱ Strong PCMA physician representation in Central Florida Health News and Central Florida Doctor publications

✱ Listing advantages in the annual Central Florida Physicians Directory & Medical Providers Guide

✱ Physician and medicine advocacy at all legislative levels.

Sincerely,

J. Booker, MD

James J. Booker, MD Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Winter Haven President, Polk County Medical Association

If you’d like more information about becoming a PCMA member or need to check your membership status for renewal, contact our Executive Director Jackie Courtney at (863) 644-4051 or email director@ polkcountydoctors.com.

James

What Can We Expect for 2021?

NELSON KIRKLAND, PUBLISHER nelson@centralfloridamediagroup.com

It’s been almost a year since the nation first felt the crippling effects of COVID-19, and still there is so much information surfacing every day that it can be a bit overwhelming. These are trying times, for sure, but the United States has some of the brightest and most driven medical minds in the world. They are the ones who scrambled to formulate vaccines and who are now monitoring the best ways to keep us all safe as vaccines are distributed.

For the new year, health officials, including those in the American Medical Association, are level-setting and planning their priorities for the coming year.

AMA President Susan R. Bailey says the association’s focus will remain on COVID-19 and making sure physicians have the most current information and the support they need to provide equitable care throughout the crisis.

Crucial to that care is vaccination education, and the AMA is pushing physicians to engage in discussions and recommend vaccinations for their patients. The association sees physicians as the key avenue to conveying to the public the safety of the vaccine.

Bailey says she hopes the public can rebuild its trust in government scientists and health agencies after such a divisive year.

Perhaps the key lesson learned last year that can help us this year is flexibility, and that is something Bailey reiterated. That will entail everything from embracing telemedicine to finding alternative ways to connect communities with quality healthcare.

We’re having to find alternative ways to go about much of our lives, and it only makes sense that physicians will have to do the same to deliver safe, equitable care. HN

PUBLISHER

Nelson Kirkland

MANAGING EDITOR

Jessica McDonald

PROJECT MANAGER

David Kiessling

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Juanita Halter

MARKETING DIRECTOR & DIGITAL SPECIALIST

Morgan Driggers

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Erika Aldrich, Mary Joye, LMHC , Paul Catala, Tim Craig, Teresa Schiffer, Carol Corley, Dr. Joy Jackson

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS

Julia King, OD , Ritu Aparajita, MD

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Dawn Lewandowski

Perhaps the key lesson learned last year that can help us this year is flexibility, and that is something AMA President Susan R. Bailey has reiterated. That will entail everything from embracing telemedicine to finding alternative ways to connect communities with quality healthcare.

Minimize Your Risk for Heart Disease

by DR. JOY JACKSON

February is American Heart Month, and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County is bringing awareness to the reality of heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year — that’s one in every four deaths.

Three key risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Approximately half of all Americans have at least one of these risk factors. Other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put a person at risk for heart disease. These include:

• Diabetes

• Overweight and obesity

• Poor diet

• Physical inactivity

• Excessive alcohol use

A person’s health condition, lifestyle, age, and family history can impact their risk for heart disease as well. Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be controlled, such as age or family history, but there are steps a person can take to lower the risk by changing factors that are controllable. Protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease by understanding the risks and making heart-healthy choices.

• Eat Healthy — Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. They are sources of

Giving and Receiving Love Improves Heart Health

Aheart shape is a symbol of love. But did you know love is actually good for your heart? Strong, healthy relationships are at the center of our social health, and how connected we feel to our friends, family and community have a big impact on our physical health.

Loved Ones Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

Think about the last time you hugged a loved one. We know the comfort of being with family and friends greatly impacts your mind and spirit, but what’s less obvious is the influence on your physical wellness.

To better understand the connection between relationships and heart health, researchers measured the blood pressures of people during different social interactions. They found that blood pressure tends to decrease significantly when spending quality time with loved ones. The cause of this healthy (and surprising) benefit is a simple one — emotional support.

many vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases such as heart disease. Limit food and drink intake that are high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.

• Be Active — Adults need at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, every week. Adults should also participate in moderate to high-intensity activities, such as muscle strength training, at least two days a week for additional health benefits.

• Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use — Once a person quits smoking or tobacco use, it improves health and lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses.

• Stay on Top of Regular Check-Ups — See a doctor or nurse for regular checkups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms. Checkups help diagnose issues early or before they can become a problem. Pay attention to signs and symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and excessive thirst. If you have these or symptoms of any kind, be sure to see your doctor right away.

For more information about heart-healthy living, visit the American Heart Association’s website at heart.org.

For more information about heart disease and prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov. HN

Laugh It Up

We all know the impact a good belly laugh can have: It’s an instant mood lifter and puts a smile on your face. It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine, but now research can back up that claim. Recent studies show that laughter can reduce stress and help promote blood flow. In fact, participants who laughed at a funny movie had expanded blood vessels and better blood flow, similar to what the body does during aerobic exercise.

Keep It Positive

A positive attitude is good for the body, mind and spirit. The feel-good hormones released when you experience joy, happiness and comfort can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and promote blood flow. It can be difficult to stay positive all the time. But the next time you’re feeling down, reach out to a friend, family member or your partner. Together, you can find the positive in whatever you’re facing.

Find More Ways to Show Your Love

There are countless ways to show someone you care. Every relationship is unique, but you’re sure to find the right way for you to let your loved one know how you feel about them.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your family and friends is to take care of your own health. Be sure to schedule an annual exam with your primary care provider at least once a year and visit a heart care specialist when you need to.

AdventHealth

Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida department of Health in Polk County (DOHPolk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOH-Polk on Twitter at twitter.com/FLHealthPolk.

Medical Group is Central Florida’s most comprehensive multi-specialty medical group practice. With nearly 600 boardcertified physicians, the group provides patients with a broad range of medical and surgical services across more than 40 medical specialties. For more information or to make an appointment, call 866-997-3627 or visit AdventHealthMedicalGroup.com/Polk-County.

February 2021 | CALENDAR

Active Kids 2.0

Keep the kids healthy and moving with these free, daily activity videos. Simply clear an area appropriate for movement for the children and search for Active Kids 2.0 on YouTube. A new 30-minute video is posted each weekday at 9 a.m. Past videos are also available.

All Fit Orlando

All Fit Orlando is a gym offering a free 12-week boot camp style workout video during the COVID-19 pandemic. Little or no workout equipment is required for these energetic routines. You can access them anytime on their app or online at allfitorlando.com/freehomeworkout.

American Public Health Association Webinars

Learn about a variety of health topics in the free webinars offered by the American Public Health Association (APHA) at apha.org/events-and-meetings/webinars. They cover a wide range of issues in healthcare and public wellness on a regular basis and also offer exclusive content to members of APHA.

AdventHealth Coronavirus Resource Hub

Get up-to-date information about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) including risk factors, symptoms, history, and treatment. You can also sign up to receive news alerts via text or email regarding current developments. Blogs, videos, and links to other resources makes this website a valuable tool for staying informed on this ongoing medical crisis. Make adventhealth.com/coronavirus-resource-hub the first place you go for coronavirus facts.

BayCare HealthChat

BayCare Health offers informative, free podcasts on a variety of healthcare topics, hosted by the talented doctors and medical professionals of BayCare. Topics cover everything from aging, to cancer, to children’s health, emergencies, healthy eating, and much more. You can find BayCare HealthChat online at baycare.doctorpodcasting.com.

BayCare Health Library

Have questions about your health or your family’s health but don’t think it warrants a trip out of the house right now to visit your physician? Search the BayCare Health Library to get lots of great information on all kinds of health-related topics. There are even tasty, healthy recipes to try at home, a drug interaction checker, a resource for learning more about herbs, vitamins, and supplements, and more. Seek out the information you need at baycare.org/health-library.

BrainFlex Wellness Club

This “body, mind, and spirit” approach to aging well is geared towards seniors looking to stay sharp and fit as they age. The class incorporates four key concepts: exercise/meditation, social connections, interactive nutrition education, and brain training/life-long learning. The goal is to slow or prevent cognitive decline and improve quality of life. This class takes place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. The Zoom link is https://us02web. zoom.us/j/3876883694. Before the class, please download and print class materials from BrainFlexWellness.com. If you have any other questions, please email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth.com.

Caregiver Support Group –Weekly

This group meets every Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss caregiver concerns and provide fellowship and support for one another. Meetings are currently taking place online using the Zoom platform. You can join the recurring meeting using this link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/86739398714, or email ORL.MDC@ AdventHealth.com for more information.

Functionally Fit – Virtual Exercise

During this online class, participants are guided through a series of functional strength training exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, mobility, motor control, and balance. Caregivers are encouraged to join in on the exercises. This workshop is delivered through Zoom teleconferencing platform and takes place every 3rd Thursday of the month from 2 – 3 p.m. The link to join is https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/3876883694. For more information, please email ORL. MDC@AdventHealth.com.

Monthly Caregiver Support Group

(Previously Met at Faith Assembly)

This monthly group meets to share advice and experiences, and encourage one another. The group meets at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month using the Zoom online platform. The link to join the meeting is https://us02web. zoom.us/j/89447209844. If you have any questions, please email ORL.MDC@ AdventHealth.com.

compiled by TERESA SCHIFFER

Music Therapy

Join board certified music therapists on the first Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. The Maturing Minds Music Therapy group uses neurologic music therapy techniques to boost brain and behavior functions, such as memory, communication, attention, and movement. The meetings are taking place online using Zoom. The link for the recurring meeting is https://us02web.zoom. us/j/3876883694. Please email ORL. MDC@AdventHealth.com if you have any questions.

Ostomy 2-1-1

Ostomy 2-1-1 is a nonprofit organization that provides information and support to individuals and their families who are living with an ostomy bag. Their website, ostomy211.org, provides a wealth of resources to find online support groups, ostomy supplies, and answers to all your questions.

Watson Clinic’s “Health E-News”

If you are a patient at Watson Clinic or are in need of becoming one, you’ll want to stay informed about what services are being offered and upcoming events at their various Central Florida locations. You can sign up for their free monthly newsletter at watsonclinic.com/aboutus/health-e-news.html.

YMCA Central Florida

Get your exercise in at home with these fun and invigorating videos brought to you by the Virtual YMCA Wellness Center at ymca360.org. There are videos for adults and seniors, as well as for children, including activities such as yoga, bootcamp, pilates, and stationary cycling. Stay healthy and active in the safety of your own home.

EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

February 6 - FOREVER AMOR Ambitiously Fit Event

This is a FREE monthly event taking place on the first Saturday of every month at 1255 E Main St in Bartow. Get your fit on with Forever Amor and Abundant Believers Church (ABC) and Prime Era Performance (PEP). The Forever Amor movement and clothing line spread awareness to mental health issues through community outreach events such as this. Water, nutritional material, resources for mental health wellness, and more will be provided. Fun for the whole family, all ages welcome! Show up with athletic or running shoes, a sweat towel, and a yoga mat (optional) and be ready to sweat! To learn more, please visit foreveramor.com.

February 6 – VISTEBall

The 16th annual VISTEBall is going virtual this year! Tickets are $25 to support this amazing organization that provides support to local senior citizens. The Pre-Game Warm-Up is 6 – 7 p.m. while the main festivities will run from 7 – 8 p.m. An auction will open on January 29th. For more information or to get your tickets to celebrate from the comfort of your own home, please visit viste.org.

February 6 – FOOD FOR ALL “Tailgate” Gala

This brand new event replaces the Celebrity Chef Fundraiser, a fundraiser for the United Food Bank of Plant City. If you don’t plan on being in Tampa for the LV Super Bowl, come tailgate at Plant City Stadium, 1810 Park Road in Plant City, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Enjoy food, music, lawn games, a corn hole tournament, and mingling with friends under the stars in your favorite casual football attire. Tickets are $100 per person. For more information, please call Leigh Scott at (813) 764-0625 or visit ufbpc.org/food-for-all-gala.

February 13 – Gone Country for KidsPACK

The Watson Clinic is proud to sponsor this fun event at White Horse Ranch, located at 5718 Yates Rd in Lakeland, which will take place from 6 – 10 p.m. KidsPACK is a local organization that helps to ensure that no child in Polk County goes hungry, even when school is out. For more information, please visit kidspack.org.

February 26 – Meals on Wheels of Polk County

13th Annual Silent Auction and Dinner Fundraiser

This eagerly anticipated event, sponsored in part by the Watson Clinic Foundation, is the largest fundraiser of the year for Meals on Wheels, the highly valued organization that strives to provide hot, nutritious meals and daily contact to Polk County’s many homebound and elderly residents. Enjoy music by B-Haven and dinner by Longhorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden. The doors open at 6 p.m. at Lake Ashton Ballroom, located at 4141 Ashton Club Dr in Lake Wales. You can find more information online at mealsonwheelspolk.com.

KEEPING HER HEART IN THE GAME

Lake Wales Woman Works to Overcome Heart Disease With Positive Outlook, Strong Medical Team

by PAUL CATALA

When Chands Leath was a young girl, she led an active life playing Little League softball and playing around her neighborhood in Lake Wales.

But as Leath got older, she began to gain weight, developed asthma and as a teenager was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries with cysts on them.

The result of these conditions eventually led to a diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy — heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension and valvular disease. In her mid-30s, she also experienced congestive heart failure and takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as “Broken Heart Syndrome.” With this condition, the heart’s main pumping chamber changes shape, affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.

At the time, Leath says the diagnosis of her Poly-

cystic Ovarian Syndrome led to being treated for acne, a symptom of the condition along with mood swings and heavy, painful, lengthy menstrual cycles. In retrospect, she says had she been treated for the “Broken Heart Syndrome,” it may have helped her avoid her serious heart conditions. Leath, 46, who’s a retired medical secretary, says it soon after became obvious she needed to get help and make changes in her life.

“At the time, like any 30-year-old, I’d overlook the tiredness; I was working, had kids to take care of, I still had to go to that hospital to work for 12 hours a day. I overlooked a lot of things that I now know that had I slowed down and taken care of myself I probably would have known I had heart disease before I did,” she says.

Now making a living in independent online jewelry sales, Leath, a 1992 graduate of Lake Wales High School, says she was also initially treated for heart-

burn, though the treatments never seemed to resolve what she thought was heartburn complications.

Leath says it wasn’t until July 9, 2012, that her life changed. That day she had stroke-like symptoms and drove herself to Lake Wales Hospital and was given the idiopathic cardiomyopathy diagnosis.

The discovery of her “Broken Heart Syndrome” spurred Leath – who has two sons in their 20s –to work to stop her seemingly declining health problems from getting worse. She’s also working to reach other young women to help them avoid the same heart-health issues she’s experiencing. Basically, Broken Heart Syndrome is a temporary heart condition often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition can also be brought on by physical illness or surgery. It’s synonymous with stress cardiomyopathy, takotsubo cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome.

According to the Mayo Clinic, people with Broken Heart Syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they’re having a heart attack. The syndrome can affect just part of the heart, temporarily disrupting the heart’s normal pumping function. Other parts of the heart can continue to work normally or may have more forceful contractions. The symptoms of the syndrome can be treated, and this condition often reverses itself in a few days or weeks.

“My prognosis is poor. I have a weak heart, it does not function well and I am on the medications they feel are helping me the most,” she says. “I am seeing some of the best doctors and I try to do what they ask to maintain the best lifestyle I can with my heart disease.”

Aside from her doctors, including Winter Haven cardiologist Dr. Kollagunta Chandrasekhar, Leath credits her friends and family for helping her through the July 2012 to September 2013 period when she couldn’t work.

“They nourished me back to health. Now, my stress levels are different. My children are grown, so I don’t need to be a providing parent,” says Leath, who for the past eight years has had electrocardiograms, heart catheterizations, stress tests, cardiac rehabilitations and an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator implant. However, despite her heart-health setbacks, Leath says she strived to maintain the best health she can. She’s 5-feet, 8-inches tall and says she’s dropped from 313 pounds to 250 pounds through twice-weekly cardiac rehabilitation ses-

sions, walking 30 minutes a day, not drinking alcohol and limiting her pork and beef intake. “I eat like everyone and try to monitor and eat more fruits and vegetables than anything else,” she says.

Dr. Chandrasekhar, who has practiced in Winter Haven for 27 years, says the treatments for Leath’s conditions have greatly improved over the past 20 years and there is now much better medicine, exercises and medical devices available to help Leath and others like her.

Chandrasekhar says everyone regardless of age needs to stay active, maintain a healthy diet and

“watch your health from the get-go.”

“Thirty, 40 years ago, the use of physical activity and exercise to help heart problems, often hospitals did nothing. Now, there are cardiac rehab programs to get patients more exercise” he says. “The idea of physical activity is a good thing for all heart and vascular patients. Find what’s comfortable for you, those things you can do that can be part of your normal routine.”

Leath adds that a big part of finding that physical activity sweet spot is mental. She says she feels one has to be mentally stable enough to understand his or her heart is functioning so low that “you may qualify for Hospice.”

“You have to be mentally stable to understand that although you have these diseases, you have to make a choice to live. The mental part of it is the hardest part of it. People forget about mental health when they’re going through things like this,” she states.

Leath says despite her setbacks with heart health, she remains optimistic. She’s begun seeing a transplant doctor at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and says that doctor has been “amazed” at how she’s doing. She says she can see it, too.

“I look around at the clinics and see patients similar to me who aren’t functioning as well. It makes me very optimistic. I don’t look at the negatives of it, I look at the positives of it,” says Leath. Hoping to spare other women and men the heart troubles she’s experienced, Leath offers a few points of advice.

CHANDS LEATH

“Reach out for support if you’re having these issues. Don’t ignore the little signs. Our stress tolerance is so high. We all need to take to a breath and relax and go without things you don’t need -- live within your means,” she suggests. “Establish a healthy mental and spiritual routine. That’s the only way you’re going to break through.”

At the time, like any 30-year-old, I’d overlook the tiredness; I was working, had kids to take care of, I still had to go to that hospital to work for 12 hours a day.

I overlooked a lot of things that I now know that had I slowed down and taken care of myself I probably would have known I had heart disease before I did.

MEDICAL ADVANCES

Watson Clinic Launches Clinical Trial of Drug Treatment for Heart Failure

by TERESA SCHIFFER

There could be some good news on the horizon for patients who experience acute heart failure. The Watson Clinic Center for Research is beginning a new clinical trial study on a drug to treat this potentially lifethreatening medical event. The trial is named DAPA ACT HF-TIMI 68. Board-certified interventional cardiologists Kevin Browne, Jr., MD, and Zia Rab, MD, are the doctors leading this clinical trial of the drug dapagliflozin.

Dapagliflozin is currently approved by the FDA primarily for use in patients who have type 2 diabetes. The sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor helps to improve blood sugar control by removing excess sugar from the body. This is done by helping the kidneys reabsorb glucose from the blood. For patients who are affected by type 2 diabetes as well as either cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease, dapagliflozin can also reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. Research has shown that this drug can additionally reduce the risk of worsening heart failure or cardiovascular

death in patients showing signs of chronic heart failure, regardless of whether they suffer from diabetes.

There are several other drugs in the SGLT2 inhibitor family that function in a similar manner as dapagliflozin to lower blood sugar, such as empagliflozin (brand name Jardiance), canagliflozin (Invokana), and ertugliflozin (Steglatro). Dapagliflozin is sold under the brand name Farxiga, among others. As a family, SGLT-2 inhibitors have been approved and available since 2013, and since then have been investigated for their effectiveness and safety regarding cardiovascular health in diabetic patients. As a class, SGLT-2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure by an impressive 31 percent.

What makes dapagliflozin unique is its performance in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 (Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular EventsThrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 58) trial, which was published in 2018. This was the first cardiovascular outcomes trial on a

SGLT-2 inhibitor that included heart failure or cardiovascular death as one of its primary end points. When compared to a placebo in a broad population of patients with type 2 diabetes and either multiple cardiovascular risk factors or established atherosclerotic disease, dapagliflozin showed a statistically significant reduction in heart failure hospitalizations or cardiovascular deaths.

These findings are especially promising because the mortality rate for patients with heart failure caused by reduced heart muscle function is tragically high. The mortality rate at five years is 75 percent, while the hospital readmission rate is 82 percent. Rab explains that there is a drastic need for disease-modifying therapies for patients that can have an immediate impact on health without the risk of dose-limiting side effects. Dapagliflozin may offer protective effects on the heart through several distinct mechanisms as compared with other treatments that are currently in use. As an additional benefit, SGLT-2 inhibitors may also protect the kidneys, and renal disease can have a negative impact on heart failure outcomes.

It takes multiple doses of dapagliflozin to affect a patient’s blood sugar levels or their risk of heart failure. The drug is administered once per day. Participants in the DAPA ACT HF-TIMI 68 trial will receive one daily 10mg dose of either dapagliflozin or a placebo for two months. It is

expected that the cardiovascular effects of the medication will be realized within about a week and continue for the duration of the therapy.

For a patient to be included in the Watson Clinic trial, they must be over 18 years of age, currently hospitalized for heart failure with ejection fraction (heart muscle function) of less than 40 percent, not suffer from kidney disease, not have liver failure, and not have used any SGLT-

We Care About the Li le Things that Ma er Most to You

2 inhibitors in the preceding 30 days. Patients will be randomized into the study between 24 hours and seven days after their admission to the hospital, once their heart failure has been initially treated and stabilized, and while the patient remains hospitalized.

This drug cannot be given to patients who have exhibited a prior intolerance to SGLT-2 inhibitors, those who have hypoglycemia, hypotension, severe kidney or liver failure, have had a recent heart attack, or who are pregnant. Dapagliflozin has the potential to worsen hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with insulin or other glucose-lowering medications. Possible side effects of this medicine can include dehydration, hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, urinary tract infection, other changes in urinary health, and yeast infections of the vagina or penis.

Patients who do not receive dapagliflozin will not be put at any additional risk of negative outcomes, as they will continue to receive the guidelinedirected medical therapy already in place to reduce their risk of heart failure, cardiovascular death, serious renal complications, and further hospitalization. At the end of this trial, if all goes well, doctors will have an effective new tool on hand for helping their patients to live longer, fuller lives. HN

DALE DREYER Regional President Central Florida

ZIA RAB, MD

TEAMING WITH TECHNOLOGY

BayCare to Implement Virtual Health Care Assistant in Hospital Rooms

by TIM CRAIG

Alexa, can you turn on the television and bring me my medication?”

As smart speakers with digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri continue to become a growing part of everyday life, incorporating that technology at the hospital seems like a natural step.

That’s exactly what BayCare has done. The company announced recently that after two successful trials, it will utilize smart technology in 2,500 hospital rooms across its 14 Tampa Bayarea hospitals over the next 12 months. Once the technology is installed, according to the company, patients will experience smart rooms that allow them to connect with their care team and control the television and other devices — all hands-free.

“The patient can simply ask the virtual assistant for things they need like a blanket or a glass of water,” says Craig Anderson, BayCare director of innovation. The health-care specific platform known as Aiva interprets those requests and sends them to the right person.

“It is a seamless connection between the patient and their care team,” Anderson says.

Anderson says he learned of Aiva through industry groups as early as 2018. He was familiar with one of the designers and knew that Aiva could help BayCare meet patient and care team needs. The technology was developed, in part, through the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator, an innovative program that partners the Los Angeles-based medical group with health-care technology startups to help bring their ideas to the market.

“This is a technology that is somewhat common in a lot of homes, and we wanted to bring it to our facilities,” says Anderson. “For the patient, it provides some sense of security to have something familiar when they are in their room.”

The technology was piloted at Winter Haven Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa in 2019 before being put in use at St. Joseph’s

Hospital-North in late 2020. Patients were highly satisfied with the Aiva technology in surveys during the pilot, Anderson said.

“A nurse would have the initial conversation with the patient about the device. They would say something like, ‘Alexa, play Frank Sinatra,’ and there was Frank Sinatra coming through the speaker,’ he says. “There would be an instant smile and a look of ‘wow.’ ”

Once the patient understood the interactive experience and how the technology works, they were able to adapt and utilize it to help themselves and the staff.

“Aiva not only instantly bridged communication between patients and the care team, it also provided more ways for them to interact,” says Anna Giles, a Winter Haven Hospital registered nurse who used the technology during the pilot.

“The ability to play games and provide a vast spectrum of music choices provided comfort to patients in unique ways,” Giles says. “We’re excited to see how this technology grows to benefit patients’ wellbeing in the future.”

According to Nicole Gitney, BayCare director of Nursing Informatics for the West Region, which includes Winter Haven Hospital, the Aiva system cut down on the number of trips a team member needs to make to the room, saving time for both the team member and the patient. Requests made to the platform are immediately sent to the correct care team member, who receives the request on their BayCare iPhone specifically deployed for communications.

“The request is made to the right person who can fill that specific request — for medications for pain, for example, it would go to the nurse; for a blanket, it would go to the care team member who could fill that need,” says Gitney. “It decreases the need for what is now two trips into the room.”

This, according to Gitney, not only saves time, but it also frees up time for the medical staff to do what it does best: focus specifically on the patient.

“[The medical care team] also found that they were able to spend more time talking to the patient and giving care,” she says. “I

Vascular Manifestations of COVID-19

Meet Our Doctor

Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon and has been serving the Polk County community for the past 1 year. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at University of Delhi, India. She then completed a research fellowship in vascular surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York and a residency in General Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey.

Dr. Aparajita is also a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK (MRCS Ed) and completed her Basic Surgical Training in England soon after her medical school.

Dr. Aparajita is the co-author of more than two dozen journal articles, publications and oral presentations, including topics such as endovascular treatment for thrombosis, aortic aneurysm repair, stroke, peripheral artery disease and other vascular conditions.

Additional posts and volunteer work include a teaching position at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and as a Member of the Public and Professional Outreach Committee as well as the International Relations Committee at the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS).

think if you can cut down on the number of trips, you can spend more time talking with the patient.”

During the trial period, Anderson noted that high patient satisfaction scores came from people who were regular and firsttime users of smart technologies.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to wreak havoc around the world, with 88 million confirmed cases and more than 2 million deaths as of January 8, 2021. In the United States, the number of infections has risen dramatically since the first week of March, and the US now has more confirmed cases and deaths than any other country worldwide. These are sobering numbers. What is still unrecognized is the large burden of vascular complications associated in the short and long-term with this disease.

Dr. Aparajita was recently nominated for the American Medical Association (AMA) Inspiration Award that recognizes physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession.

Patients were also able to mute the device, as well as use the traditional call buttons if they preferred.

The Aiva technology is now being deployed at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz before being implemented systemwide by BayCare into other hospitals. BayCare hopes to have the technology in place across its entire system by the end of 2021. For Winter Haven Hospital and Bartow Hospital, the system will likely be installed in the latter half of 2021.

According to the company, this will be the largest deployment of Aiva technology using Alexa for a U.S. health system.

Anderson said this may just be the beginning. The long-term goal includes plans for the Aiva technology to eventually control an entire room.

“Our goal is to make an entire smart hospital room,” Anderson said. “Through voice commands, you can ask for anything you need, you can get any entertainment you want, control the television, room lighting and temperature. Controlling window blinds is also potentially an option for the future. Technologies that are now standard in some homes will be available in the hospital room.” HN

RITU APARAJITA, MD, MRCS (Ed), MBBS

Specialty: Vascular & Endovascular Surgery

Joining KSC Cardiology November 9, 2020

COVID-19 causes blood to thicken and become more prone to clotting. Unsurprisingly, a significant proportion of patients affected with this disease show a high incidence of deep venous thrombosis, even when they are on some form of blood thinners. If these blood clots travel to the lungs, a fatal condition known as pulmonary embolism can occur. Also, some patients may see an increase in the incidence of peripheral arterial disease which causes the blood circulation to legs (or, sometimes arms) to be cut off completely. Even if treated aggressively by surgical means, outcomes have been

Rarely, for some patients affected by COVID-19, limbthreatening ischemia (circulation inadequacy) has been noted as the only complaint. Few, but significant, incidences of strokes affecting young patients have been reported too. Prevention, wherever possible, by taking some form of bloodthinning agent during and after the COVID pneumonia illness remains the key.

Yet another increasingly recognized effect on the population has been a sharp drop in the number of emergency and urgent surgeries being performed for the treatment of life and limb-threatening conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery stenosis and peripheral arterial disease. This is likely due to patients avoiding timely medical attention owing to the fear of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital or out-patient setting. Delaying care or waiting until the COVID situation gets better may result in worse problems than COVID is causing. Patients presenting in advanced and late stages of such diseases have very poor outcomes even when surgical treatment is utilized.

This column is sponsored by KSC Cardiology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon. She is a co-author of 20+ journal articles and publications and was recently nominated for an Inspiration Award by the American Medical Association (AMA).

RITU APARAJITA, MD, MRCS (ED), MBBS KSC Cardiology

A Heart-Healthy Diet Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

by CAROL CORLEY

Healthy cooking doesn’t have to be boring. There are ways to make a heart-healthy diet more fun and exciting, like incorporating dark chocolate, walnuts, berries, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, and even coffee. All are very high in nutrients that help your heart.

Protecting your heart is important as heart disease is still the major cause of death worldwide, as reported by the World Heart Organization. It accounts for approximately one-third of all deaths, followed by stroke.

A good food plan is one step toward having a healthy heart. Mayo Clinic says you don’t have to make big changes to help your heart. When it comes to diet, the organization recommends at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, including them in all meals.

Other health organizations add leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, asparagus,

avocados, beans, tomatoes, almonds, flax and chia seeds, garlic, olive oil, edamame, coffee, and green tea. Mayo Clinic also recommends low-fat proteins, such as eggs, skinless poultry, lean ground meats, and low-fat dairy.

Blackberries, huckleberries, mulberries, Surinam cherries, and raspberries are the best berries to grow in Florida. And despite its name, Samuel Clements apparently did not name Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain) after the berry. Huckleberries, and other berries, can be used in buckles, pies, cobblers, and over yogurt or low-fat ice cream.

Foods that are considered bad for the heart include processed meats, highly refined grains, and carbohydrates, and sugary drinks, according to Harvard Medical School. Healthline adds that you should also avoid fast and fried foods, full-fat ice cream, potato chips, canned vegetables with added salt, hydrogenated vegetable oils, many

sweet desserts, and many condiments. While it is important to discuss any major dietary changes with your doctor or registered dietician, many studies have shown that these foods offer vitamins and other nutrients that help prevent high LDL (bad) cholesterol, high triglycerides, arterial plaque, and high blood pressure. Let’s take a look at some fun recipes.

Chocolate Chicken

(Adapted from food.com)

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts, 2 fresh

Cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon unsweetened Salt and paprika to taste

Cayenne pepper, dash, if desired

Cilantro or basil, 1 tablespoon

Lemon juice, a generous squirt

Directions:

Place all ingredients except chicken breasts in a bowl and mix, coat chicken with the mix, and cook on the grill or in the oven. Time to cook will vary with your choice of method. In the oven, preheat to 400F and cook until internal temperature reaches 165F, or about 22-25 minutes.

Walnut and Oat-Crusted Salmon

(Adapted from tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients:

Salmon fillets — 12 oz, skin removed Walnuts, 3 tablespoons finely chopped Oats, 3 tablespoons quick-cooking, crushed Olive oil, 2 tablespoons Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except salmon, press mixture onto salmon which has been placed on a baking sheet. Cook in the oven preheated to 400F until fish flakes easily, about 12-15 minutes. Salmon is best if not overcooked.

Egg Avocado and Black Bean Breakfast Burrito

(Adapted from recipes.heart.org)

Ingredients:

Egg whites, 1-1/3 cup liquid

Black beans, 1 can no-added-salt, rinsed, drained

Avocados, 2 medium, sliced

Whole-wheat tortillas, 4 low-sodium

Cooking spray

Hot sauce or salsa as desired

Directions:

Pour egg whites into a large skillet lightly sprayed with cooking spray, heat over medium heat stirring constantly to scramble. Once eggs are nearly set, add beans, stirring until heated through.

Microwave tortillas for 45 seconds on full power, place on a board, and spread some egg mixture over each, top with avocado and hot sauce or salsa as desired. Roll and fold in the bottom to create a burrito shape.

Warm Berry Crisp

(Adapted from health.clevelandclinic.org)

Ingredients:

Blueberries and raspberries, 5 cups mixed, fresh

Lemon juice, 2 tablespoons

Almonds, 1/2 cup sliced

Coconut flakes, 3 tablespoons unsweetened

Rolled oats, 1/3 cup, not quick or instant oats

Nutmeg and cinnamon to taste

Honey, 1 tablespoon

Directions:

Mix together almonds, coconut, oats, nutmeg, cinnamon, and honey in a small bowl. Toss together berries and lemon juice in 1-1/2 qt. baking dish and sprinkle almond mixture evenly over the top.

Bake in the oven preheated to 350F until the top is crisp and golden brown. Serve warm.

K.S. Chandrasekhar, MD, FCC

…established his clinic over 20 years ago. He is well known in the community and trusted for his accurate diagnosis and compassionate care.

• Board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine

• Executive Director the Heart Function Clinic, Low Risk Chest Pain Center and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

• President of Medical Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

• Chairman of Cardiology for Lake Wales Medical Center

• Clinical Associate Professor, FSU College of Medicine

Ritu Aparajita, MD, MRCS (Ed), MBBS

A Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon who earned her MBBS at University of Delhi, India. She then completed a research fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center and a residency in general surgery at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. She’s co-authored more than two dozen journal articles. She was recently nominated for the American Medical Association Inspiration Award that recognizes physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession.

Cynthia

Wolford, ARNP, FNP-C, CHFN

…is known for her passion to educate patients about Cardiovascular Disease. With additional heart failure certifications, she promptly identifies areas of concern, prescribing medications or lifestyle modifications to treat parients in all stages of heart failure.

• Board certified Family Nurse Practitioner

• Member of Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

Roan Cadavona, ARNP, FNP-C

…brings a high level of education and experience in Cardiac Catheterization, Electrophysiology and working in the Cardiovascular Progressive Care unit. He serves a vital role in providing patients with optimal cardiovascular care through counselling and screening, as well as disease prevention and management strategies.

• Board certified Family Nurse Practitioner

• Member of Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

Roan Cadavona, ARNP, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

Ritu Aparajita, MD, MRCS (Ed), MBBS Vascular Surgeon

Kollagunta Chandrasekhar, MD, FACC Cardiologist

Cynthia Wolford, ARNP, FNP-C, CHFN Family Nurse Practitioner

Pulling at Your Heartstrings: Empathy vs. Sympathy

by MARY JOYE, LMHC

We have all heard the proverbial term “pulling on your heartstrings,” and it is more physically valid than you might imagine. When moved by emotions, our actual hearts do get pulled by our mythical “heartstrings”; better explained by the science behind it that involves vagus nerve reactivity. Few are aware of what it is or how it works, but it is significant in understanding why we impulsively react to emotional cues.

When we are moved emotionally, our autonomic nervous system (ANS) goes into gear according to the intensity of the feeling. The ANS is responsible for the familiar fight/flight/freeze responses and acts involuntarily to how we think, feel, or experience events emotionally and cognitively. The lesser known vagus nerve is our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). It is what takes our breath away when seeing something majestic or makes it difficult to breathe when having a panic attack. Our bodies feel the same way whether we are afraid or excited. Our hearts pound when we see someone we are attracted to but our hearts can also race when afraid. The negative or positive emotion sets the PNS into motion. The “strings” on our heart are part of a huge bundle of nerves that come off our brain stem, run down our face and throat and into all our vital organs and look like tangled strings. Awareness is key to prevention allowing the vagus nerve to hijack emotional self-regulation. Calming breathing, being still, getting away from loud noises or from sources of emotional pain help.

For example, guilt-producing scenarios such as seeing commercials of abused animals or abandoned children pull on our heartstrings. Many report that the intensity of the guilt produced causes them to change the channel because they feel overwhelming guilt and helplessness. When we feel empathy, we can help people out,

but with sympathy, we may feel overwhelmed. As a therapist, I am often asked why I am not upset or crying when listening to a person’s story. Yes, my heartstrings are pulled and I feel the pain on many levels but explain that if I came over to them and cried with them it would be creepy, unprofessional and most importantly, unhelpful. Therapeutically, a person with empathy listens and holds space and problem solves and helps others to listen to themselves and find options and solutions to reduce the pain.

Highly empathic people can fall into feeling pity or sympathy and over time, can experience severe compassion fatigue. COVID-19 healthcare workers have expressed this often and they may be called heroes, but most are exhausted ones.

Dr. David Jeffrey conducted a research study for the Royal Society of Medicine in 2016 about empathy and sympathy and it’s relevant today. Sympathy may slide into a feeling of pity or feeling sorry for the other person…It takes a “self-oriented” perspective which may arise from an egotistic motivation to help the other person in order to relieve one’s own distress. In taking such a selforientated perspective, the doctor risks being distressed or overwhelmed. Empathy, unlike compassion or sympathy, is not something that just happens to us, it is a choice to make to pay attention to extend ourselves.

When something tugs at your heartstrings, stop and pay attention to tension you may feel and where it occurs in your body, including your heart. If you are overdoing something to help someone in pain to relieve your own, the sympathy may get overwhelming. Choosing empathy will help you help others without losing your mental health. HN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Joye, LMHC, PA, is a licensed mental health counselor with offices in Lakeland and Winter Haven. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit winterhavencounseling.com.

POP QUIZ!

Dental Care Facts to Get You Grinning

Oral health is an important part of your overall health, though many people do not take care of their teeth as well as they should. For some, the reason their oral care is not up to par is that they believe certain myths about oral health and dental care. Take our quiz on myths about oral health and get the facts for yourself!

1. True or false?

Kids don’t need to brush their baby teeth because they will eventually lose them and their adult teeth will grow in.

2. Why is the myth that “sugar causes cavities” technically wrong?

A. All foods, especially starchy foods, stick to the teeth and attract bacteria.

B. Bacteria attracted to food stuck between your teeth produce an acid compound that causes tooth decay.

C. Rinsing and brushing after eating any kind of food can reduce acid and plaque.

D. All of the above

3. What should you do if you have bleeding gums?

A. Nothing, because bleeding gums are normal.

B. Switch toothpaste brands.

C. See your dentist because bleeding gums are not normal and are a sign of gingivitis, gum disease, or another problem.

D. None of the above

4. Brushing harder does not lead to cleaner teeth, but it can lead to which of the following?

A. It can erode some of the enamel that protects your teeth from cavities and decay.

B. It can cause your gums to recede.

C. It can lead to sensitivity in your teeth.

D. All of the above

5. Which of the following is something you should do every day in addition to brushing for good oral health, even though 20 percent of Americans never do it?

A. Chewing gum.

B. Flossing your teeth.

C. Rinsing with mouthwash.

D. Using a whitening toothpaste.

10.

9. False. Charcoal toothpaste has not been proven to offer superior whitening, usually does not include fluoride, and can actually harm or stain teeth in some instances.

8. E. All of the above. Poor oral health can affect many other areas of your overall health.

7. D. All of the above. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a number of issues.

6. False. While chewing sugar-free gum can have some benefits for your oral health, it cannot replace brushing your teeth twice a day.

5. B. Flossing your teeth. Flossing your teeth daily is the best thing you can do for your oral health behind brushing regularly.

4. D. All of the above. Brushing too hard can erode enamel, cause gums to recede, and lead to sensitivity.

6. True or false?

Chewing gum works as well as brushing for getting your teeth clean.

7. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by which of the following?

A. Loss of tooth enamel.

B. Gum recession.

C. Using a whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide.

D. All of the above

8. Poor oral health has been linked to what other diseases or problems because the bacteria from inflamed gums and periodontal disease can enter your bloodstream?

A. Cardiovascular disease

B. Respiratory infections

C. Diabetic complications

D. Dementia and Alzheimer’s

E. All of the above

9. True or false?

Charcoal toothpaste is better for your teeth.

10. Why should you go to the dentist regularly, even if you’re not experiencing pain or discomfort?

A. Regular dental cleanings keep your teeth and gums healthy and free of plaque buildup.

B. Your dentist can solve small issues like cavities before they become bigger, more painful and more expensive issues, like the need for a root canal.

C. Your dentist can spot problems like oral cancer that are more easily treated the sooner they are detected.

D. All of the above

C. See your dentist. Bleeding gums are not normal; it’s a sign something is wrong.

3.

2. D. All of the above. All food attracts bacteria that lead to tooth decay; sugars and starches are more likely to stick to teeth.

1. False. Kids need to take care of their baby teeth to avoid the health concerns and lifelong complications of tooth decay. They also need to create good oral hygiene habits.

ANSWERS:

D. All of the above. Seeing your dentist regularly is the best way to ensure your oral health is as good as it should be.

compiled by ERIKA ALDRICH / information provided by 209nycdental.com and dentalhealthpartners.com

Silent Heart Attacks Just as Deadly

From elementary school right up through adulthood, we’re taught that heart attacks come with crippling chest pain that can travel down your arm and shortness of breath. And often, that is precisely what it looks like.

What aren’t often discussed?

Silent heart attacks.

A silent heart attack, or silent ischemia, happens when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries and blocks blood flow to the heart. According to GoRedForWomen.org, a silent heart attack has either no symptoms, minimal symptoms or unrecognized symptoms. Without those telltale warning signs that we’re so familiar with, a heart attack can be

dismissed as any number of conditions, including:

• Anxiety

• Flu, or

• A strained muscle

What makes this type of heart attack so deadly is that people may not realize it’s a medical emergency. The person doesn’t seek medical treatment, medications aren’t received and the event can even scar and damage the heart.

Some studies suggest that silent heart attacks are more prevalent in women, but there is no definitive conclusion on that yet. So, if it’s silent, what can you do? Be aware

JESSICA McDONALD, EDITOR jessica@centralfloridamediagroup.com

of your risk factors, which are the same as those identified for regular heart attacks. Those include:

• Obesity

• Age

• Family history of heart disease

• Tobacco use

• High cholesterol, and

• High blood pressure

Perhaps the best advice may be to listen to your body. If you have pain you haven’t felt before or you are more tired than usual, it may be worth looking into. No doctor would fault you for wanting to make sure your heart is in the best shape possible. HN

Your heart is the only muscle that never rests.

And neither do we.

In an average lifetime, your heart can beat three billion times without ever pausing to rest. AdventHealth’s expert cardiologists are inspired by this incredible powerhouse to strive forward, steadily innovate and stay in rhythm with treatments and technologies to help you feel whole. Because when your heart has the right care, it can do incredible things.

Find the care your heart needs.

HeartsAre Incredible.com.