Latest news with #ManhattanCardiology
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heart disease could be prevented with this one simple test
Heart disease is the world's leading cause of mortality, comprising 32% of all deaths. But that doesn't mean people are powerless against the condition — there are some steps they can take to help reduce the risk. In addition to adopting healthier lifestyle habits, getting a specific screening — the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score — can help detect early signs of heart disease, experts say. Disease Starts On Your Plate, Cardiologist Says — Here's What To Change The CAC score is a specialized CT scan that measures calcium buildup in the walls of the heart's arteries, according to board-certified cardiologist Dr. Robert Segal, founder of Manhattan Cardiology and co-founder of "This calcium points to the accumulation of plaque that can cause heart disease," he told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App The higher the score, the more calcium in the arteries, thus a greater likelihood of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiac issue. Some Winter Viruses Could Trigger Heart Complications, Experts Warn A calcium score of zero indicates no coronary calcium and places the individual at a very low risk for heart disease. A calcium score greater than 400 indicates a high risk of heart disease, according to Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals. "The CAC score is obtained with a rapid, low-dose CT scan," Maryland-based Serwer told Fox News Digital. The scan images are processed using specialized computer software, producing what is called an "Agatston score." "This computer algorithm evaluates how much calcium is present and calculates a number or score," Serwer said. The CAC score is a "non-traditional risk factor" that isn't as widely known as more routine screenings like cholesterol checks or blood pressure measurements, according to Segal. "Still, awareness is rising as more research shows how valuable it is in forecasting cardiac disease," he said. The result of the scan can help people take charge of their cardiac conditions, experts say. "It's helpful because it helps identify heart disease early, even if you have no symptoms," Segal said. "This allows for preventive steps, like lifestyle changes or medications, to lower your risk." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter If the CAC score is zero, Segal recommends keeping up good practices and continuing to track risk variables. "A low score indicates mild plaque; therefore, lifestyle changes such as improving diet, exercising and lowering cholesterol will help," he said. "A high score indicates that you should work with your doctor to reduce your risk, maybe with statins." Generally, if a CAC score is zero, there is little need to repeat the study for five years, according to Serwer. For those with an elevated calcium score, there is limited data on the benefit of repeat testing. "These patients should discuss their individual case with a trained cardiologist to determine the need for any further testing," Serwer advised. This Disease Kills More People Than All Cancers And Accidents Combined The test is used in combination with other risk factors, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes, to determine who needs aggressive medical therapy for primary prevention of heart disease. "The earlier we can identify those at higher risk of a heart attack, the earlier we can start them on proven therapies to avoid bad outcomes," Serwer said. "While we have no data that shows merely performing this test makes you live longer, knowing who we need to treat aggressively and knowing when we can delay or avoid medical therapy is very important." In terms of potential risk, Segal compared the CAC scan to a mammography, noting that it's fast, noninvasive, uses only a small amount of radiation, and does not involve dye injection. "It only gauges current calcium, and it cannot identify soft plaque that's not solidified," he noted. Segal also cautioned that a zero CAC score does not imply zero risk — particularly in cases of diabetes or smoking, which are additional risk factors. "It's a useful instrument to be coupled with other health evaluations," he added. People interested in getting the CAC score should start by seeing a cardiologist. "Those between the ages of 40 and 70 who have risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease are usually advised to get the scan," Segal said. Serwer recommends that patients discuss individual risk with their primary care provider to determine whether the test will be helpful. "We don't currently have standardized guidelines for testing or frequency of repeat testing," he said. The test can be performed in most radiology departments. For those who are only getting a coronary artery calcium score, there is no preparation required, Serwer noted. "There is no need for IV contrast, so there is no need to fast or obtain blood work prior to getting this study." Coverage for the CAC test varies based on individual insurance plans. For more Health articles, visit "Some plans consider this test elective or investigational and therefore won't pay for it," Serwer noted. "Medicare currently does not cover the cost for asymptomatic people for risk stratification purposes."Original article source: Heart disease could be prevented with this one simple test
Fox News
28-02-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Heart disease could be prevented with this one simple test
Heart disease is the world's leading cause of mortality, comprising 32% of all deaths. But that doesn't mean people are powerless against the condition — there are some steps they can take to help reduce the risk. In addition to adopting healthier lifestyle habits, getting a specific screening — the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score — can help detect early signs of heart disease, experts say. The CAC score is a specialized CT scan that measures calcium buildup in the walls of the heart's arteries, according to board-certified cardiologist Dr. Robert Segal, founder of Manhattan Cardiology and co-founder of "This calcium points to the accumulation of plaque that can cause heart disease," he told Fox News Digital. The higher the score, the more calcium in the arteries, thus a greater likelihood of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiac issue. A calcium score of zero indicates no coronary calcium and places the individual at a very low risk for heart disease. A calcium score greater than 400 indicates a high risk of heart disease, according to Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals. "The CAC score is obtained with a rapid, low-dose CT scan," Maryland-based Serwer told Fox News Digital. "A high score indicates that you should work with your doctor to reduce your risk." The scan images are processed using specialized computer software, producing what is called an "Agatston score." "This computer algorithm evaluates how much calcium is present and calculates a number or score," Serwer said. The CAC score is a "non-traditional risk factor" that isn't as widely known as more routine screenings like cholesterol checks or blood pressure measurements, according to Segal. "Still, awareness is rising as more research shows how valuable it is in forecasting cardiac disease," he said. The result of the scan can help people take charge of their cardiac conditions, experts say. "It's helpful because it helps identify heart disease early, even if you have no symptoms," Segal said. "This allows for preventive steps, like lifestyle changes or medications, to lower your risk." If the CAC score is zero, Segal recommends keeping up good practices and continuing to track risk variables. "A low score indicates mild plaque; therefore, lifestyle changes such as improving diet, exercising and lowering cholesterol will help," he said. "A high score indicates that you should work with your doctor to reduce your risk, maybe with statins." Generally, if a CAC score is zero, there is little need to repeat the study for five years, according to Serwer. For those with an elevated calcium score, there is limited data on the benefit of repeat testing. "These patients should discuss their individual case with a trained cardiologist to determine the need for any further testing," Serwer advised. The test is used in combination with other risk factors, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes, to determine who needs aggressive medical therapy for primary prevention of heart disease. "The earlier we can identify those at higher risk of a heart attack, the earlier we can start them on proven therapies to avoid bad outcomes," Serwer said. "While we have no data that shows merely performing this test makes you live longer, knowing who we need to treat aggressively and knowing when we can delay or avoid medical therapy is very important." In terms of potential risk, Segal compared the CAC scan to a mammography, noting that it's fast, noninvasive, uses only a small amount of radiation, and does not involve dye injection. "It only gauges current calcium, and it cannot identify soft plaque that's not solidified," he noted. Segal also cautioned that a zero CAC score does not imply zero risk — particularly in cases of diabetes or smoking, which are additional risk factors. "It's a useful instrument to be coupled with other health evaluations," he added. People interested in getting the CAC score should start by seeing a cardiologist. "Those between the ages of 40 and 70 who have risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease are usually advised to get the scan," Segal said. Serwer recommends that patients discuss individual risk with their primary care provider to determine whether the test will be helpful. "We don't currently have standardized guidelines for testing or frequency of repeat testing," he said. "Some plans consider this test elective or investigational and therefore won't pay for it." The test can be performed in most radiology departments. For those who are only getting a coronary artery calcium score, there is no preparation required, Serwer noted. "There is no need for IV contrast, so there is no need to fast or obtain blood work prior to getting this study." Coverage for the CAC test varies based on individual insurance plans. For more Health articles, visit "Some plans consider this test elective or investigational and therefore won't pay for it," Serwer noted. "Medicare currently does not cover the cost for asymptomatic people for risk stratification purposes."
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
5 Things to Do When You Wake Up to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to Experts
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDN High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. But you might not even know you have it until a doctor runs a blood test. After all, high cholesterol doesn't have any specific symptoms that you can feel or see. Yet, nearly 25 million American adults are living with it. But here's the good news: There are easy diet and lifestyle steps that may help you manage high cholesterol. And what better time to implement those changes than when you first wake up in the morning? So, we asked heart-health experts their top morning tips to keep cholesterol in check. Here's what they told us. The one piece of advice that all our experts wholeheartedly recommend is to start your day with plants. Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds offer a host of cholesterol-busting benefits. For starters, they're high in cholesterol-lowering fiber, plus they're packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, explains Mary Greene, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in New York City and a contributor to At the same time, they're also naturally low in saturated fat, she says. That's not the only way a plant-rich breakfast can help. 'Plant sterols and stanols, found in many plant foods, can block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines,' says Greene. Top sources include vegetable, canola and olive oils and whole grains, especially corn, rye, barley and wheat. You can also get them from avocados (one more reason to love avocado toast!). , Eating a fiber-rich, plant-based breakfast also helps stabilize blood sugar, which, in turn, impacts cholesterol levels. 'Consistently high blood sugar can raise bad cholesterol levels, which is something we want to avoid,' says Kimberley Rose-Francis, RDN, CDCES, LD, a Florida-based dietitian and diabetes educator in private practice. 'The fiber found in plant-based foods helps regulate the body's use of sugar and can also prevent the absorption of some dietary fats that impact cholesterol levels.' 'Including soluble fiber at breakfast is one of the most effective ways to lower LDL cholesterol,' says Veronica Rouse, RD, CDE, owner of The Heart Dietitian. What makes it so special? 'Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol particles in the digestive system and helps remove them from the body before they enter the bloodstream,' explains Rouse. Oats are perhaps the best way to load up on soluble fiber in the morning. These filling whole grains are rich in a unique type of cholesterol-lowering fiber called beta-glucan. It's so powerful, in fact, the Food and Drug Administration allows food manufacturers to claim that consuming 3 grams of beta-glucan daily may reduce coronary heart disease risk. If you're wondering how much oatmeal you'll need to get the job done, that's just under 1 cup of dry oats., If oats aren't your thing, there are plenty of other soluble fiber–rich foods to choose from. Rouse recommends chia seeds, ground flaxseed and barley since they are easy to incorporate into a variety of breakfast foods. Other good choices include legumes, sweet potatoes, peas, oranges, avocados, apples and pears. Diets high in animal foods like beef, chicken, pork, seafood, eggs and dairy increase cholesterol, says Tracy Paeschke, M.D., a Colorado-based preventive cardiologist in private practice. So, if you want to positively impact your cholesterol levels, try swapping out saturated fat–rich breakfast foods like bacon, sausage, cream cheese and butter for heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Rouse recommends monounsaturated fats from foods like avocados, almond butter and peanut butter, which can help reduce unfavorable LDL cholesterol while increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol. If eggs are your go-to breakfast, they can still be compatible with a heart-healthy diet. Just cook them in an oil rich in unsaturated fats, like safflower, grapeseed or olive oil, instead of butter, says Rose-Francis. Related: What's the Difference Between Saturated Fat and Unsaturated Fat? Starting your day with a healthy breakfast isn't the only thing you can do for your cholesterol. Physical activity can positively influence cholesterol levels, and strengthen your heart while you're at it. In fact, research has found that regular exercise can decrease unfavorable LDL cholesterol and fats in the blood, known as triglycerides, while increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol. How much exercise should you aim for? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. That might sound like a lot, but broken into smaller increments, it's just 20 to 25 minutes of physical activity each morning. If you've fallen out of the exercise habit or could use some help getting started, our walking plan to help lower cholesterol levels is a great place to begin. Related: The Best Time of Day to Exercise if You Struggle to Make It a Habit, According to Research While we're more connected than ever, the constant ping of cellphone and laptop notifications can be overstimulating. No wonder we're feeling chronically stressed. Trouble is, ongoing stress can take a toll on our heart health since it increases heart rate and blood pressure. It can also prompt our bodies to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. If that happens once in a while, it's no big deal. But when it becomes the norm, this hormonal storm may increase cholesterol levels. If that weren't enough, it may also trigger the urge to stress-eat, which can make it difficult to stick with heart-healthy food choices. Set the tone for the rest of your day by taking a few minutes in the morning (just 10 is all you need) to practice mindfulness. Before the day's frenzy takes over, practice deep breathing, meditate, journal, do yoga or quietly sip a cup of tea to ease you into your day. If you can take your favorite mindfulness practice outside, even better. Fitting in an outdoor morning workout does double duty, lowering your cholesterol and stress levels at the same time. Plus, you're less likely to skip a workout when you're tired later on. Making the most of your mornings is important. But there's no need for a complicated a.m. routine to lower your cholesterol. Small but impactful changes to your morning habits are a sustainable way to improve your cholesterol and heart health in the long run. So, start your day with some light exercise followed by a plant-focused breakfast that's rich in soluble fiber and contains a little bit of heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Then, before you head out the door, allow yourself a few mindful minutes. It won't just calm your mind. It will do your heart good as well! Read the original article on EATINGWELL
