HEALTHY Connections - June 2019

Edition 1, Volume 4

M i l l e n n i u m P h y s i c i a n G r o u p ’s

HEALTHYConnections ConnectingYou to a Healthier Life

June 2019 • Heart Health

What we have in store in this edition: Ask the Cardiologist

Statin, Heart Attack and Stroke: Should You Take a Statin Cholesterol Medication?

The Role of Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants Having Pain? Millennium’s Physical Therapy Program Helps You Get the Most Out of Life

Your Connection to a Healthier Life

For more information about Millennium Physician Group, visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com or call 1-844-CALL-MPG.

Caring for You in the Hospital Setting

Welcome to Millennium’s Healthy Connections!

This edition we focus on heart health, statin heart medications, physical therapy, the role of the nurse practitioner and physician assistant in the office, and so much more!

ASK THE CARDIOLOGIST Q: What are the risk factors for heart disease?

A: Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, being overweight, family history, unhealthy lifestyle, including eating habits and inactivity. Age is a big factor, women over the age of 55 are more apt to get heart disease.

By Jesus Mendiolaza, M.D.

lack of symptoms that display when it comes to heart disease. For women- symptoms may not occur until they experience a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Symptoms range from pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen or back.

Q: What modifications do we need to make to our lifestyles to be more heart healthy?

A: If you are smoking, quit now. Take and

monitor your blood pressure. Uncontrolled blood pressure can result in heart disease. If you have high blood pressure, make sure you are taking your prescription as prescribed.

Make healthier food choices, a little can go a long way! And get moving, exercise is good for your heart and overall health. Lowering your stress levels and learning to cope will be better for your heart too!

Q: How common is heart disease in the U.S. and who is most at risk?

A: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease. It’s so important that we recognize the risk factors and take action to lower our chances of heart disease.

Q: What’s the risk difference for men and women? Who is most at risk?

A: The risk is the same, many believe that heart disease is a “man’s disease”; however, women are at the same risk if not more because of the

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Did you know that Millennium has eight convenient Walk-in Medical Centers with after-hour and weekend access? We can get you directions to the closest Walk-in location near you.

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Statins, Heart Attack and Stroke: Should You Take a Statin Cholesterol Medication?

What is cholesterol and why does it matter?

Cholesterol is an essential component of the human body. For example, cholesterol is used by our bodies for making certain hormones and vitamins. However, high levels of cholesterol are associated with increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. Conversely, numerous clinical studies have shown that lowering cholesterol, particularly in those individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease, is associated with a lower risk for recurrent heart attacks and strokes.

Where does cholesterol come from?

The human body gets its cholesterol from two sources: diet and the body itself. For many

patients with high cholesterol, lowering dietary cholesterol consumption is simply not enough because they have a genetic predisposition to higher cholesterol levels due to a disorder of cholesterol synthesis. This is what makes statin medications so effective. This class of cholesterol-lowering drugs works by interfering with the body’s ability to make cholesterol.

They are the most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications worldwide because of their demonstrated efficacy and strong data demonstrating their benefits. Some of the common statin medications include: Lovastatin (Altoprev®), Pravastatin (Pravachol®), Pitavastatin (Livalo®), Simvastatin (Zocor®), Atorvastatin (Lipitor®), and Rosuvastatin (Crestor®).

By Steven T. Lee, MD, FACC, FSCAI

So, should you take a statin medication? The answer is “it depends.”

Before a physician makes a recommendation to prescribe a statin medication, a number of factors are taken into account: patient’s age, overall cholesterol profile (total, HDL, triglycerides, LDL), previous history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and smoking status. Here are four groups of patients that clearly benefit from taking statins: • Any patient with a history of atherosclerotic vascular disease (e.g. coronary artery blockage, heart attack, coronary stent/bypass, peripheral arterial blockage, peripheral artery stent/bypass, stroke, near stroke, etc.).

• Patient ages 20-75 with LDL cholesterol levels of 190 mg/dL or higher.

• Patient ages 40-75 with history of diabetes and LDL cholesterol levels of 70 mg/dL or higher.

• Patient ages 40-75 without history of diabetes but also with a 10-year risk for heart attack greater than 7.5% (typically those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking).

Even if you don’t fall into one of these specific groups above, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t benefit from statin therapy. On the other hand, any medication can have potential treatment side effects, including statins.

Therefore, I would recommend consulting with your physician to get advice specifically tailored to your health condition.

Breaking Down the Role of the

Nurse Practitioner & Physician Assistant in Healthcare

By ArleneWright, DNP, APRN

It can feel overwhelming when choosing a healthcare provider these days with the number of different practitioners that stand ready to serve your needs. When booking an appointment, you may be asked, “would you like to see our nurse practitioner or physician assistant?” Although many patients encounter these “advanced providers” during their healthcare journey, some don’t quite understand the important role nurse practitioners and physician assistants play when it comes to overall health.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have been providing healthcare services to patients for over 50 years and can be found in all healthcare settings, including primary care, specialty care, hospital care, and skilled nursing facilities.

And many patients may choose to have a nurse practitioner or physician assistant as their main primary care provider due to their experience and highly qualified skills.

What are Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants?

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and Physician Assistants (PA) are highly educated medical professionals who provide high-quality primary, acute and specialty healthcare services similar

to those of a physician. They also practice under the rules/regulations of the state they are licensed in and are nationally board certified in their specialty areas. Continuing education is required to maintain licensure/ certification.

APRNs and PAs diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses for all age groups. They order and interpret lab and diagnostic testing, prescribe medication and perform procedures.

What’s the difference?

All APRNs have advanced clinical training beyond their extensive professional registered nurse education and have graduate, advanced education, with master’s degrees or doctorates.

APRNs place a unique emphasis on both care and cure by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.

APRNs may work independently or as part of a healthcare team.

PAs typically acquire extensive healthcare training and experience before they enter a graduate level program. PAs have graduate, advanced education with

master’s degrees and train under the medical education model. PAs provide care in all general practice settings as well as specialty areas of medicine. PAs work as part of a healthcare team.

Will my insurance pay for me to see an APRN or PA? Yes, insurance companies reimburse for a visit to an APRN or PA, including Medicare and commercial insurance plans. The co-pay and charges are the same as any office visit.

Can I request to see an APRN or PA? Yes! We are here as a team to care for you and your family. You may choose the provider that suits your individual health care needs. Ask your front desk team about the APRNs and PAs available at your office.

PT&You

Millennium's Physical Therapy Program Helps You Get the Most Out of Life

Millennium Expands Physical Therapy in Naples The need for our Physical Therapy services in Naples has been so great that Millennium has

opened a third clinic in Collier County inside our location at 400 8th Street in downtown.

“Millennium's PT department has stayed dedicated to its goal of helping people participate in the activities that give their lives meaning. A focus on exceptional patient care has resulted in outstanding outcomes and customer satisfaction,” says Millennium Physical Therapy Services Manager, Adam Pennell.

Physical Therapy Services Available to Patients Our experienced and dedicated Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are available to help manage patients’ pain, function, and improve health outcomes.

Your Physical Therapist Can Help You: • Eliminate pain without medication • Avoid surgery • Improve mobility and motion • Prevent injury • Move freely without pain • Feel renewed and ready for life!

What to Expect: Once you are scheduled for an appointment, a physical therapist will perform an evaluation and special tests to learn more about your condition. After your health history is complete, our physical therapists will then develop a treatment plan, goals and one-on-one treatments to help you get back to your life and the things you enjoy!

Your Individualized Plan: Your plan of care is individualized and treatment may include the use of thermal and electric modalities, TENS, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, gait training, balance training, vestibular rehab, traction, neuromuscular re-education, instructions in back and neck care, and instructions in the use of assistive devices (canes, and walkers).

Having pain? Share the information with your Millennium Physician Group physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, and he or she can refer you directly to our Physical Therapists.

Millennium’s Care Follows Patients from the Medical Office to the Hospital and Beyond Our team of hospitalists—the Millennium physicians who work within our local hospitals—is an important part of your healthcare. This program began in 2010 to coordinate the care you receive in the hospital by enhancing direct communication with your primary care provider.

These physicians and advanced providers ensure your hospital stay matches the care plan developed by your trusted primary care physician. Your Millennium Hospitalist is your direct connection back to your personal healthcare provider.

As a result, these familiar faces make you feel more at ease during your stay. Our Millennium Hospitalists also help shorten your hospital stay, while reducing your chance of readmission.

By providing much more than just primary care, Millennium can ensure our patients have access to exceptional healthcare no matter the setting. We can care for our patients in our offices, in the hospital, in skilled-nursing facilities and even at home.

Today, Millennium has nearly 70 hospitalists in 14 hospitals across Southwest Florida.

Millennium is More than Just Primary Care In addition to Primary Care, we are pleased to offer access to Millennium Specialists. From Orthopedics to Cardiologists, our board-certified specialists are here to take care of all of your specialty care needs. As a Millennium Physician Group patient, our Specialists have access to your electronic medical record (EMR) which means less paperwork for you and better coordination of care.

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To find a specialist visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com or call 1-844-CALL-MPG.

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Online Lab Appointments Why wait when you can book a lab appointment online? Visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com to book your next lab appointment!

Our Physical Therapy program is available across multiple locations in Florida and treats:

✓ Arthritis

✓ Knee Pain

✓ Overuse Injuries

✓ Tendonitis and Bursitis

✓ Neck & Back Pain

✓ Balance or Difficulty Walking

✓ Shoulder Pain

✓ Sprains, Strains, and Fractures

✓ Vertigo/ Vestibular Training

✓ Post-operative Therapy

✓ Stroke

✓ Plantar Fasciitis

Millennium Medical Center: Englewood Update We have an exciting update about the Millennium Medical Center – Englewood under construction on McCall Road. The architect reports the structure is complete. The walls are up and the roof topped off. Workers are now partitioning off the interior of the 25,000 square-foot space. Windows and doors are going in as well.

When it’s completed this fall, the medical center will house offices for ten healthcare providers and 60 employees, along with a walk-in center, lab and imaging center. The project is particularly exciting because it’s the first one-stop, medical facility Millennium builds from the ground up, all with patients’ comfort in mind.

Download the Millennium Physician Group App! It’s now easier than ever to access all things Millennium!

Now you can download the Millennium Physician Group app to view wait times at our Walk-in Medical Center, make a lab appointment, and log-in to your patient portal.

Now available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Scan the QR code to download the app now!

Thank you for reading! To learn more about Millennium

Physician Group visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com or call 1-844-CALL-MPG to schedule an appointment today!

Your Connection to a Healthier Life

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