Latest news with #UnityPointHealth
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What Really Happens to Your Blood Pressure After You Eat a High-Salt Meal
What Really Happens to Your Blood Pressure After You Eat a High-Salt Meal originally appeared on Parade. If you have high blood pressure—or it runs in your family—you likely already know that you need to minimize the amount of salt in your diet. 'Sodium can cause vascular damage primarily through raising blood pressure,' says Dr. Michael Fattouh, MD, a cardiologist at Montefiore Fattouh explains that salt promotes fluid retention. 'You can think of this as having too much water in the pipes. This increases the pressure in your arteries, causing stress and damage to the vessels, while also causing your heart to work harder,' he says. 'High sodium causes you to retain fluid, which your kidneys need to dilute the sodium content. This increases your circulating blood volume, causing an increase in blood pressure, and we know high blood pressure over time is not good for you, adds Dr. Richard Kettelkamp, DO, a cardiologist at UnityPoint Health, St. Luke's Hospital. The detrimental impact too much sodium has on heart health is why the American Heart Association recommends capping sodium intake at 2,300 milligrams a day, or ideally 1,500 milligrams a you're wondering if one high-salt meal can really cause that much damage. Is enjoying a burger and fries every once in a while all that bad? To answer that question, it helps to know exactly what happens to blood pressure after eating a high-salt meal. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 How Eating a High-Salt Meal Impacts Blood Pressure Immediately Afterward What is considered a 'high salt' meal? Dr. Fattouh says that, generally, a high sodium meal contains 700 milligrams or more of sodium, but he says that even less than that can be high for certain people, such as those with high blood pressure.'High sodium meals are unfortunately not hard to come by. A cheeseburger and fries may have more than 1,000 milligrams of sodium,' he explains. Other examples of high-sodium foods include canned soup, frozen pizza, a sandwich with cold cuts and beef Dr. Kettelkamp adds that there is more sodium in many foods than people realize. 'It's not just table salt, it's what you cook with. Margarine and butter have quite a bit of sodium. There's a huge amount of sodium in soda. Canned vegetables and canned soups also have a lot of sodium and it's in a lot of prepared and processed foods too,' he says. So what happens immediately after eating a high-salt meal? According to Dr. Kettelkamp, within an hour, there is a rise in blood pressure, which is related to the regulation of sodium in the blood. 'Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure within a couple hours and in people who are more sensitive, some effects on your vessels are seen in as little as 30 minutes,' adds Dr. Dr. Michael Barry, MD, a cardiologist and partner with Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants, says that after eating a high-sodium meal, fluid retention often occurs in the kidneys. This, he says, can eventually lead to increased blood pressure readings. Related: The Long-Term Impact of Eating High-Sodium Meals Dr. Kettelkamp says that while the average person isn't going to have a heart attack or stroke immediately after eating a high-sodium meal, regularly consuming excessive sodium does increase the likelihood of experiencing these detrimental cardiovascular events. 'Consistent high sodium intake can cause hypertensive urgency, or spikes in blood pressure, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes. Usually, these patients already have high blood pressure, which is worsened by a high-sodium meal,' Dr. Barry adds. Related: Scientific research shows that regularly eating high-sodium foods is linked to kidney disease, strokes and heart disease. People who consume more than 4,000 milligrams of sodium a day increase their stroke risk between two and five times compared to those who keep sodium intake under 1,500 milligrams a day. If this is a sobering wake-up call, remember that there are many other delicious ways to flavor your food besides reaching for the salt shaker. Flavoring your food with spices and herbs is actually beneficial for heart health because they are full of antioxidants, which help lower blood pressure. And when it comes to store-bought foods, don't forget to do your label reading to see how much sodium is in each serving; it is often more than you think. By being mindful of your sodium intake, you will not only be keeping your blood pressure in check, you'll be supporting your entire cardiovascular system. It's advice worth taking to, well, heart. Up Next:Sources: Dr. Richard Kettelkamp, DO, cardiologist at UnityPoint Health, St. Luke's Hospital Dr. Michael Fattouh, MD, cardiologist at Montefiore Einstein Dr. Michael Barry, MD, cardiologist and partner with Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants What Really Happens to Your Blood Pressure After You Eat a High-Salt Meal first appeared on Parade on Jul 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SmartVascular Dx™ Test: Enhancing Vascular Care in the Midwest
IRVINE, Calif., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MorningStar Laboratories, LLC., ('MSL' or 'the Company'), is a leading developer of precision diagnostic tests that address unmet clinical needs, is proud to announce its expansion in the Midwest with the introduction of the SmartVascular Dx™ test (formally known as the PULS™ Cardiac Test), a groundbreaking tool designed to improve vascular health outcomes. We are thrilled to announce that we are now officially included in the Medicare fee schedule, enabling us to offer national medical coverage. This effort reinforces our dedication to enhancing patient care and improving health outcomes in the region. As part of our commitment to improving patient care, MorningStar Laboratories has forged new partnerships with UnityPoint Health and the Advantage Benefits Team. This initiative aims to significantly increase access to innovative vascular services for patients throughout the Midwest. The SmartVascular Dx test stands at the forefront of preventative healthcare, enabling the early detection of vascular inflammation before clinical symptoms arise. This is especially crucial in the Midwest, where the prevalence of vascular disease presents a major public health challenge. By identifying potential issues earlier, we aim to empower healthcare providers to implement timely interventions that can save lives. 'We believe that early detection is key to effective treatment,' said Susie Lu, Chief Operating Officer & Director at MorningStar Laboratories. 'With the SmartVascular Dx test, we are empowering our physicians to intervene before serious health issues arise, ensuring better care for their patients.' We invite Midwest physicians to learn more about the SmartVascular Dx test and how it can be integrated into their practices. For additional information about the SmartVascular Dx test or to schedule a consultation, please contact MorningStar Laboratories at 949.267.7875 or visit Join us in our mission to enhance vascular care and improve the health of our communities. About MorningStar LaboratoriesMorningStar Laboratories ('MSL') is a specialty diagnostics development clinical laboratory company that develops, performs, and distributes unique medical tests combining science, technology, and proprietary analytics which aim to detect high-risk diseases with significant unmet medical needs. MSL's laboratory information systems use data from multiple sources, including proteomics, genetics, metabolic, biochemistry, phenotype, imaging, and a patented algorithm to address the most challenging clinical problems related to endothelial and vascular inflammatory issues. Morningstar Laboratories, a subsidiary of Smart Health Diagnostics Company, is a CLIA-Certified and CAP Accredited laboratory offering comprehensive and customized services in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations and ISO 15189 standards. To learn more, visit MorningStar Laboratories at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking StatementsForward-looking statements in this press release are based on our future expectations, plans prospects, and assumptions regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words 'termed,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' 'would' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this document speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Media Contactmjjohnson@ 866.299.8998Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nursing strike at Madison's UnityPoint Health-Meriter ends in tentative agreement
A four-day strike at Madison's UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital where hundreds of nurses have been asking for safer working conditions is ending in a tentative agreement between the hospital and SEIU Wisconsin, which represents 934 Meriter nurses, according to a May 31 announcement from the labor union. While the tentative agreement does not outline broad safety measures for staff across the board, it does consist of protections for some staff, an 8% raise over the next two years for all and new framework for staff to voice concerns, bargaining team member Amber Anderson said at the May 31 news conference outside the hospital. In particular, the bargaining team won commitments specific to staff and patients working in Child Adolescent Psychiatry and the Emergency Room, as well as commitment to a tip sheet for violent incidents, Anderson said. The bargaining team was not able to win actionable commitments from management that would more tangibly prevent workplace violence across the board, she said, particularly on staffing ratios. However, Anderson did say they obtained language that will be easier for nurses to collectively voice concerns on staffing and safety and work with management to find solutions. Union members will vote to ratify the agreement during the evening on May 31 and then return to work at the hospital by 7 a.m. June 1, which is when the strike had been scheduled to end. The strike — the first for Meriter nurses — began on May 27 grounded in frustrations over hospital management's lack of response to multiple requests for a safer work environment. Contract negotiations started in January. Since then, nurses had been asking for their contract to guarantee greater security measures at the hospital, including adding a metal detector and smaller staff-to-patient ratios in the hospital's medical-surgical units. They also sought increased pay for working nights and other less desirable shifts. Pat Raes, a Meriter nurse and president of SEIU Wisconsin, previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that there had been instances where patients and visitors brought guns into the facility without the knowledge of staff. Violence against health care workers has been on the rise, Raes said, and nurses sought action before a serious incident occurs, not after. Anderson said on May 31, "This victory is not just for the bargaining team. It belongs to all of us. To every single one of you who showed up, spoke out and stood strong, we thank you." Behind her stood over a dozen other hospital staff and supporters decked out in the union's signature color: purple. In her speech, Anderson thanked SEIU staff, UW nurses, workers at the Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin and community members and other local unions who donated time and resources. In a Facebook post on the agreement, the hospital issued the following statement: "We respect the union's process and look forward to the outcome of their decision. We believe this is a strong, fair contract that demonstrates the value and respect we have for the nurses on our team." 'We are grateful for the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the negotiations. This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress toward a contract that recognizes the important contributions of our nurses," Market Chief Nursing Officer Sherry Casali said. The hospital in downtown Madison is part of UnityPoint Health, an Iowa-based health system with locations across southern Wisconsin. In 2017, the hospital entered into a joint operating agreement with UW Health, allowing patients to get care from both providers. UW Health is also no stranger to labor negotiations. The health system's nurses union was dissolved in 2014 as a result of Act 10, and nurses began the fight to restore it in 2019, including threatening a three-day strike in 2022 that ultimately did not occur. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is currently deciding whether UW Health is required to negotiate a collective bargaining contract with the union. The court heard oral arguments in the case in February. Madeline Heim contributed to this report. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@ Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nursing strike at UnityPoint Health-Meriter ends in tentative agreement
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Venue change motion for Bloomfield double homicide case pending; one sentencing moved to late June
KNOX COUNTY, Neb. (KCAU) — A judge overseeing one of the two people charged in the Bloomfield, Nebraska, double homicide case has a motion to change venue under advisement. Court documents indicated that during a hearing on Tuesday, a judge order the district court clerk to send an additional 100 expanded jury questionnaires to random prequalified people. The case stems back to February 2024, when Alias Reed was accused of killing two people at a bowling alley. The change of venue motion is pending until those questionnaires are received back and reviewed by both parties. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 24 while the jury trial is still set to start on July 14. Both of them will currently happen at the Knox County District Court. Story continues below Top Story: UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Lights & Sirens: Sioux City Police Department: Deadly March stabbing justified Sports: Local Iowa high school boys soccer playoff highlights and scores (5-29-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Meanwhile, the other suspect in the double homicide case, Kaylyne Sweazy, had her sentencing date pushed back to June 24. That's set to take place at the Knox County District Court. She pleaded no contest back on March 12 to the charges of attempted tampering with physical evidence and accessory to a felony as part of a plea agreement. A judge found Sweazy guilty on those charges. Officials claimed Sweazy helped Reed hide the gun used during the crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pillen signs Adopt the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act
NEBRASKA (KCAU) — Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed a measure into law that will protect minors and their private information on websites and social media. The governor signed LB 504, the age-appropriate online design code act, at the state Capitol Building in Lincoln. Story continues below Top Story: UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Lights & Sirens: Sioux City Police Department: Deadly March stabbing justified Sports: Local Iowa high school boys soccer playoff highlights and scores (5-29-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here The measure will have online service providers face civil penalties if they commit a violation. The bill will also give parents the ability to monitor privacy and account settings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
