On Tuesday evening, February 27, Dr. Mel Breite, Founder and Director of the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series, welcomed everyone to a virtual lecture hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim.
The lecture featured Joanna Troulakis, MD, FACC, non-invasive and clinical cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital. Dr. Troulakis began by defining types of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a heart and blood vessel disease. It affects the circulatory system, arteries, valves, rhythm, and heart muscle function. All of the above can manifest as cardiovascular disease. Coronary disease (heart attack), valvular disease, and arrhythmias are also cardiovascular diseases.
She explained that high cholesterol and high blood pressure can predispose you to cardiovascular disease.
She shared an analogy of a house where the heart muscle is the house, the four chambers are rooms in the house, and the doors are the valves. You need plumbing, which is the arteries, and electricity, which is the nerves of the heart.
Cardiovascular disease claims 500,000 women’s lives every year. Heart disease is women’s number one killer. Stroke is women’s number three killer.
Eight million women in the United States have a diagnosis of heart disease. The coronary heart disease rate in women is two and three times more after menopause. Since 1984, there have been more deaths from coronary heart disease in women than in men. Also, after a heart attack, the mortality rate for women is higher than for men.
She taught that women with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke compared with men who have diabetes. She noted that African Americans are at a higher risk. She shared that heart disease is the highest health risk for women.
She spoke about diabetes, which is a progressive disease that is prevalent in the US. She noted that 66-75 percent of people with diabetes die from some form of cardiovascular disease. Diabetes raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure and are overweight.
High blood pressure is a silent killer. Systolic pressure measures pressure in the arteries and diastolic pressure measures when the heart is resting between beats. Systolic pressure should ideally be 130 or lower and diastolic should be 80 or lower. Over 140/90 is high blood pressure. She spoke about lifestyle modifications to reduce high blood pressure. First, maintain a BMI of 18.5-24.9. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Eat low-fat dairy and reduce saturated and total fat in the diet, Also, reduce sodium. Increase physical activity. Do 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. Men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks daily and women no more than one.
She said that one’s cholesterol level should be 200-mg/dl.
If it’s 240 mg/dl it is high. She taught that smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. It causes plaque to form in the blood vessels. It also reduces HDL which is the good cholesterol. It increases blood pressure and increases arrhythmias. Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die. Risk decreases after quitting.
She then shared that being overweight or obese poses a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
She then detailed a diet to help people lose weight and to lower cholesterol. Avoid trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils. Avoid saturated fats like animal fat, butter, red meat, and whole fat dairy. Look for less than 8 grams of sugar. Eat high fiber and low sodium. Avoid egg yolks. Eat poultry and fish without the skin. White cheese is lower in fat than yellow cheese. The best oil is olive oil. Avoid ice cream, chocolate, and buttered popcorn. Instead, eat plain popcorn, unsalted pretzels, or sorbet.
She then shared that stress could contribute to cardiovascular disease. To decrease stress you should exercise, increase mindfulness, get counseling, decrease stimulants, and/or limit processed food.
She shared heart attack warning signs, which include the following:
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts a few minutes, goes away, and returns
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Shortness of breath before, during, or after chest discomfort
Cold sweat
Nausea
Lightheadedness, trouble sleeping or uneasiness
She shared that signs for women are more subtle. They may experience fatigue or abdominal pain instead of chest pain.
Stroke warning signs include the following, and are similar for both men and women:
Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, leg, especially on one side
Sudden confusion
Trouble speaking
Difficultly understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking
Dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Stroke has treatment if you act fast.
Dr. Troulakis shared her contact information: 347-480-1200.
The community is grateful to Dr. Breite and Congregation Etz Chaim for these informative, important monthly lectures.
By Susie Garber
