More@Mercy - Nazareth Hospital - Spring 2018

@ WOMEN’S HEARTS BY THE NUMBERS

72

years

The AVERAGE AGE of a first heart attack in women.

HEART DISEASE is the leading cause of

DEATH FOR WOMEN in the U.S. About

1 4

in every female deaths

is attributed to heart disease.

SPRING 2018 WOMEN

Learn when you might be having a heart attack By now, you probably know that women are just as much at risk for a heart attack as men. Doctors have been driving home that message for many years.

But there’s another part of that message that is equally important— and you may not know: Women may have different symptoms of

a heart attack than men.

“Although chest pain, tightness and pressure are the most common symptoms of a heart attack in both women and men, women may have atypical symptoms,” says Sonela Skenderi, DO, FACC, a ­— Continued on page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

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A NEW LIFE Bariatric surgery offered Gina more than a new look

6

TAKE HEART Thriving with heart disease

TRUST YOUR HEART TO US Read about how we treat heart disease at mercyhealth.org/ heart.

Learn when you might be having a heart attack ­— Continued from front page medical cardiologist with Mercy Cardiology at Nazareth Hospital.

Those symptoms may include: •• Pain or pressure in the back, neck, jaw or throat •• Indigestion or heartburn •• Nausea or vomiting •• Overwhelming, new fatigue •• Significant shortness of breath •• Lightheadedness or fainting

Get help fast Symptoms of a heart attack can come and go, and they can be subtle. And if you’ve already had one heart attack, the symptoms for another one might be different.

No matter what, don’t ignore symptoms, and don’t blame them on something like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging—as many women do.

“It’s really important to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and to seek medical attention right away,” Dr. Skenderi says. “It could save your life.”

Call 911 immediately if you think you’re having a heart attack. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital or ask a friend.

Emergency medical responders can begin treating you on the way to the hospital. Treatments for opening clogged arteries—the main cause of heart attacks— work best if given within the first hour after a heart attack starts.

About 3.2 million women in the U.S. have had a heart attack.

Knowing the signs of heart attack could save your life—or the life of someone you love.

Are you at risk

for heart disease?

Age and menopause are two common risk factors of heart disease for women. Women typically get heart disease 10 years after men do. Other heart disease risk factors for women include: Family history. Your risk is higher if your father or brother had heart disease before age 55. It also jumps if your mother or sister had it before 65.

Lack of physical activity. Fewer than 1 in 5 American women gets enough exercise.

High blood pressure. Two out of 3 women over 60 have high blood pressure.

Too many pounds. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk of heart disease.

Diabetes. The disease seriously raises your risk for heart disease.

Smoking. People who smoke are up to four times more likely to have heart disease. The longer you smoke, the higher your risk.

Stress. Long-term stress raises your chances of heart disease.

If you already have heart disease, stress increases your risk of heart attack.

Sources: Office on Women’s Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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More @ Mercy Spring 2018

Give a warm welcome to Dr. Singla NAZARETH HOSPITAL’S NEW HEMATOLOGIST-ONCOLOGIST

Rajan Singla, MD Cancer is a disease that touches many lives. And Rajan Singla, MD, is no exception— someone in his family had the disease.

That’s one reason why he chose to become both a medical

oncologist and hematologist.

“Professionally, I find the science of it very interesting,” Dr. Singla says. “And the family part makes it personal, too.”

Dr. Singla joined Nazareth Hospital last year after finishing a fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

As a hematologist, Dr. Singla helps people with blood disorders such as anemia. As a cancer doctor, he specializes in treating all tumor types as well as blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.

Dr. Singla and a highly qualified staff provide many treatments at Nazareth’s outpatient infusion center. For cancer, this includes traditional chemotherapy, immune therapy and targeted therapies, which can cause fewer side effects.

Dr. Singla grew up in a small town

with a Catholic hospital. So coming to Nazareth felt familiar. “It felt like I was at home,” he says.

In addition to seeing patients at Nazareth, Dr. Singla is a clinical assistant professor of medical oncology, an educator and a researcher at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University.

His approach to patient care?

“My philosophy is one of personalized and individualized care,” he says. “I may be an expert in cancer and blood disorders, but you’re an expert in you. It’s a partnership.”

PERSONALIZED CANCER CARE To make an appointment with Dr. Singla, call 215.624.8138.

Rapid care for anemia •• Shortness of breath •• Headaches •• Trouble sleeping •• Feeling cold

NEW PROGRAM REMOVES THE WAIT FOR TREATMENT Run-down and weak.

That’s how anemia, a common blood disorder, can make you feel.

“Anemia limits people’s lives and sucks the energy and zest right out of them,” says Rajan Singla, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Nazareth Hospital.

Anemia can have many possible causes—and some can be serious.

For all of these reasons, Nazareth Hospital helps ensure that people with anemia symptoms won’t wait long to get the care they need.

Under a new program, people with anemia who are referred to a specialist by their primary care or other medical provider can be seen and treated within 24 to 48 hours, says Michele Zappile-Lucis,

Oncology Service Line Director for Mercy Health System.

“This is about making sure our anemia patients have quick access to high-quality, effective care,” she says.

What is anemia?

Anemia happens when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. One common cause is blood loss, perhaps from heavy menstrual periods or digestive tract bleeding, Dr. Singla says. Anemia can also be a side effect of other things, including cancer or weight-loss surgery.

Besides fatigue, other signs and symptoms of anemia include:

There are many ways to treat anemia. Some are fairly simple, such as eating iron-rich foods.

But sometimes intravenous (IV) iron infusions, blood transfusions, B vitamin shots or other treatments may be needed, Dr. Singla says.

You can get such treatments—and start feeling better—at Nazareth’s state-of-the-art infusion center.

And if something more serious is going on than just anemia, “This program helps us get to the bottom of it quickly,” Dr. Singla adds.

LEARN MORE For more information about rapid anemia treatment, call 1.866.629.2738. mercyhealth.org

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A NEW B OD CONSIDERING BARIATRIC SURGERY? Find out why you should choose Mercy bariatrics. Go to mercybariatrics.org.

Abhiman B. Cheeyandira, MD, FACS

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More @ Mercy Spring 2018

Y,

L I F E W E N A Bariatric surgery

helped transform Gina Wilson physically and emotionally

There are no more plus-size dresses in Gina Wilson’s closet. She now wears a size 6. And she smiles when she steps on the scale, thanks to the bariatric surgery she had at Nazareth Hospital more than a year ago. She knows the date by heart: Nov. 28, 2016—it’s that important to her.

Gina’s nearly 80 pounds lighter than her pre-surgery weight of 226 pounds. “Food no longer controls me,” she says.

That’s a huge change for Gina, 51, who’s struggled with extra pounds since the first grade. “I was always the chubbiest girl in the class,” she says.

Still, she wasn’t teased. “I had lots of friends—I was bubbly, gregarious and open,” Gina recalls. “But I think that was a cover to mask how sad I was at being heavy.”

Today, Gina considers herself a transformed person—and not just physically. Here’s a look at how her surgery has changed her life.

A turning point For almost as long as she can remember, Gina dieted. “I can’t count the number of diets I tried,” she says.

“I even fasted and took any kind of herbal supplement that promised I could lose 10 pounds in five days.”

Nothing worked. She lost weight repeatedly, only to regain more. And as the pounds crept up, her blood pressure climbed and could only be controlled with daily medicine. Her cholesterol was also borderline high.

Her 50th birthday was a turning point.

She had considered bariatric surgery previously. In fact her doctor, concerned about her health, had urged her to explore surgery. Now she was ready.

But it wasn’t her appearance—as self-conscious as she was—that finally led her to bariatric surgery. “I wanted to get healthy,” says Gina, the mother of a 14-year-old son and caretaker for her mother, who has lupus. “I wanted to be able to walk up and down stairs without struggling to breathe and to always be there for the two people I love most.”

befor

e

Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?

after

The best possible decision And so Gina turned to the weightloss surgery program at Nazareth, which is part of Mercy Health System’s award-winning bariatrics program. Abhiman B. Cheeyandira, MD, FACS, a bariatric surgeon at Nazareth, answered every question she had about the pros and cons of surgery and which kind of surgery was the best choice for her.

“He was so knowledgeable and just what I needed—a smart, skilled doctor with experience who’s also caring,” Gina says. “He gave me his card with his phone number and said ‘Call me anytime you have a question.’ I’ve never had a doctor that available.”

In the end, Gina was most comfortable with sleeve gastrectomy surgery, which Dr. Cheeyandira performs laparoscopically, using tiny incisions that help speed healing.

During sleeve gastrectomy surgery, doctors remove most of the stomach, leaving only a banana-shaped section.

“I don’t think I’ll ever make a better decision in my life than to have that surgery,” Gina says.

Soon after the surgery, Gina’s blood pressure and cholesterol were normal—she’s medication-free.

“Her obesity-related health problems, like those of so many bariatric patients, are in remission,” Dr. Cheeyandira says.

According to Dr. Cheeyandira, Gina is a model patient because she is fully committed to the lifestyle changes—especially eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly—that are necessary to make bariatric surgery a lasting success.

And what a success it was.

“Before my surgery, I was fatigued, moody and had started to withdraw from people,” Gina says. “None of that is true now. I have a new life— inside and out.”

Bariatric surgery is best for people who haven’t been able to lose weight and keep it off with diet and exercise.

To be eligible for the surgery as an adult, it’s important to meet one of these three criteria, says Abhiman B. Cheeyandira, MD, FACS, a bariatric surgeon at Nazareth Hospital:

1

You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above.

2

You have a BMI of 35 or above and a serious problem linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea.

3

You are 100 or more pounds overweight.

LEARN MORE Learn about your bariatric surgery options at Nazareth Hospital by attending a free information session.

Call 1.855.LESS YOU (1.855.537.7968).

mercyhealth.org

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HEART FAILURE

6 ways to boost your mood Good days and bad days. That’s to be expected when you’re living with heart failure. At times, the disease can be tough.

“Heart failure is a physical disease,” says Carol Primavera Paris, Vice President, Mission Integration, Mercy Home Health.

“But it can also take a toll on your emotions.”

What makes you feel better?

When heart failure gets you down, here’s what may help lift you up.

Talk about your feelings. Try talking with a loved one, someone else with heart failure or your doctor.

It can make problems seem better.

Spend time with others. Being with people can boost your spirits.

Keep moving. Ask your doctor

how to exercise safely.

Manage your disease. Do your best to follow the treatment steps your healthcare team recommends.

Your mood may be better when your body feels better.

“Mercy Home Health offers nursing and telehealth programs that can help you manage heart failure at home and help you stay healthy,” Carol says.

Do something you enjoy. Maybe that’s working on a hobby or reading a good book.

Get a good night’s rest. Sleep can help improve your mood.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Tell your doctor if you continue to feel down—you may be depressed.

Symptoms of depression include sadness, loss of interest in favorite activities, or feelings of hopelessness lasting two or more weeks. Depression can be treated, and you can feel better.

WE CAN HELP Interested in the services Mercy Home Health provides?

Call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.

Healthy choices after a heart attack You’ve just survived a heart attack. That’s great! Now, what can you do to help avoid another one?

More than ever, it’s crucial to make heart-healthy choices. Here’s a look at five key ones: Be more active. “Regular physical activity can make your heart stronger,” says Rose Riggio, RN, Mercy Home Health Hospital Liaison Manager. “It helps your heart pump, and it can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and weight all in a healthy range.”

Walking is generally the best exercise as you recover.

But talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that’s safe for you.

Eat smart. A healthy diet is one of the best defenses against repeat heart problems. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Make sure your diet

also includes low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, beans and vegetable oils, such as olive or canola oil. And go easy on sweets, sugary drinks and salt.

If you light up, quit. “Smoking can prevent blood and oxygen from reaching your heart,” Rose says.

It also raises the risk of blood clots, which may lead to heart attacks. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help stopping. Also try to steer clear of secondhand smoke, which is hard on your heart.

Drop extra pounds. If you’re overweight, losing just 10 percent of what you weigh can help lower your heart attack risk.

Take your medicines faithfully. To head off another heart attack, you’ll likely need to take medicines for the rest of your life. Take them exactly as prescribed.

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More @ Mercy Spring 2018

From hospital to home: Get the care you need

Keep your heart healthy with good food choices More of this and less of that.

That’s the formula for a heart-healthy diet.

“Healthy food choices can help lower your risk of getting heart disease,” says Anna M. Marshalick, MSN, RN, Regional Director of Education, Mercy Home Health. “And eating smart for your heart is a must if you already have heart problems.”

To feed your heart well, eat more:

And eat less:

Fruits and vegetables.

A good goal is to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. But simply eating more produce helps. Canned or frozen varieties are fine as long as they don’t have high-calorie sauces or added salt or sugars.

Artery-clogging fats.

Choose lean cuts of meat. Cook with vegetable oils (like canola) instead of butter. When buying snacks, read labels and skip those with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (trans fat) as an ingredient.

Whole grains. Go for fiber-rich whole grains most of the time. For instance, choose whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Or brown rice instead of white rice.

Sugary desserts.

Save small servings of sweets (like pies or cakes) for special occasions.

Fish and skinless poultry. Try to eat a variety of fish at least twice a week. When roasting a whole chicken, remove the skin before carving and serving the meat.

Sodium. Don’t salt your food. Compare food labels, and choose foods with the least amount of sodium when buying things like lunch meats, frozen pizzas and even bread.

Tip: If the sodium amount is 20 percent or more of the daily value, that’s too high.

Fat-free or low-fat dairy products. These include milk, cheese and yogurt.

It’s normal to feel anxious before you head home after a hospital stay.

After all, you’re leaving behind the around-the-clock support of all the doctors and nurses who took care of you. Chances are you’re wondering, “Will I be able to manage safely at home?”

Mercy Home Health can help make that transition from hospital to home a good and safe one. Whether you’re newly diagnosed with a complex illness or healing from major surgery, we’ll help you get back on your feet.

We offer a wide range of services to make your return home easier.

Among them: •• Skilled home nursing •• Physical, occupational and speech therapy •• Home Health Aides to help with bathing and preparing meals •• Referral to community resources to help you recover •• Spiritual care “Not only do you get immediate support at home, we help with all of your needs—body, mind and spirit,” says Nicole Dougherty, BSN, RN, Patient Advocate for Mercy Home Health.

We’ll show you—and your family— how to confidently control your condition. And our skilled nurses will closely monitor your progress. If your health worsens even slightly, they’ll tell your doctor right away. That way your treatment can be adjusted before any complications occur.

“This quick response can help you avoid another hospital stay or trip to the emergency room,” Nicole says.

GIVE US A CALL Mercy Home Health provides top-rated in-home care. Call 1.888.690.2551 to learn more. mercyhealth.org

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Learn about your risk for stroke AND

A stroke usually occurs when a blood clot disrupts the flow of blood to the brain. Without sufficient blood and oxygen, parts of the brain begin to die. That’s why stroke is always an emergency.

Most strokes are preventable. One way to avoid a stroke is to know what puts you at risk for having one.

Jeffrey Olson, DO, Mercy Primary Care—Holme Avenue, talks about stroke risk factors and how you can lower them.

What are the most common risk factors for stroke?

ANSWER: Some of the most common risk factors for stroke include having high blood pressure or diabetes, a history of smoking, high cholesterol or certain heart conditions—such as atrial fibrillation—and being overweight or physically inactive.

Q

PRIMARY CARE CLOSE TO HOME Mercy Primary Care has locations at Holme Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard and Rhawn Street. To find a physician at one of these locations, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).

What can you do to reduce your risk for stroke?

ANSWER: The first thing you should do is talk with your doctor and find out what your personal risk factors are. But in general, you

Q

Jeffrey Olson, DO Board certified in family medicine Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Office location: Mercy Primary Care–Holme Avenue

should try to eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in salt and saturated fat.

You should also get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight. And you should quit smoking if you smoke.

What are common symptoms of stroke, and what should you do if you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke?

ANSWER: The easiest way to remember the symptoms of stroke is with the letters FAST. F stands for facial weakness. Can the person smile? Or does their mouth or an eye droop? A stands for arms. Can the person raise both arms equally? S is for speech problems. Can the person speak clearly without slurring words?

And T is for time. It emphasizes the importance of calling 911 right away.

Q

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