Heart disease remains on the rise in the United States. Most people are aware of common risk factors like high blood pressure and bad cholesterol, but there’s one lesser-known, inherited heart disease risk factor that affects millions and is passed down through families. It’s called lipoprotein(a), (lip-o-pro-teen-a) or Lp(a), (L-P-little A) and experts say having a high level can independently increase the risk of having a heart event such as a heart attack or stroke.

Joining us now is Dr. Icilma (EYE-SIL-MA) Fergus, (Fur-GUS) Professor of Medicine, Director of Cardiovascular Disparities and Clinical Lipidology at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, and Lynn, who is living with high L-p(a), to talk about this hidden heart risk and what you should know.

GUEST BIO

Icilma V. Fergus, MD, FACC, FASPC
Professor of Medicine
Director of Cardiovascular Disparities and Clinical Lipidology
Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Fergus is a board-certified professional in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, currently serving as the Director of Clinical Lipidology and Cardiovascular Disparities for the Fuster Heart Hospital at Mount Sinai. Her expertise lies in Preventative Cardiology, specifically focusing on Lipids and Hypertension, Women’s Heart Disease, and Cardiovascular Health Advocacy. She is Professor of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
With an active engagement in professional organizations, Dr. Fergus holds significant roles such as the past President of the Westchester board of the American College of Cardiology and past president of the Association of Black Cardiologists. She is also a past President of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation.
Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Fergus passionately advocates for health equity and cardiac disease prevention. Her impactful contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Luminary Award from the American Heart Association, the Community Service Award from the Heart Valve Society of America, Young Black & Gifted, and Community award from Delta Sigma Theta in 2023. In addition, she has been featured on numerous publications and broadcasts, including “Here and Now” with Sandra Bookman on ABC

#HeartDisease #LPa #HeartAttack #Stroke #DrIcilmaFergus

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THIS SERIOUS, RARE, AND MISUNDERSTOOD CANCER HAS A PRIMARY RISK FACTOR THAT IS MORE PREVALENT THAN YOU MIGHT THINK. HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS OR HPV—A COMMON VIRUS TRANSMITTED BY SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT—IS THE NUMBER ONE RISK FACTOR FOR ANAL CANCER.^1,2

MARCH IS ANAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. JOINING US TO SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING OPENLY ABOUT THE RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS OF THIS CANCER THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT ARE ANAL CANCER SPECIALIST, DR. PAUL ROMESSER [ROME-EH-SIR], AND LILLIAN KREPPEL [LILL-EE-IN KREH-PELL], ANAL CANCER SURVIVOR AND CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HPV CANCERS ALLIANCE.

BIO- Paul Romesser, MD

Colorectal and Anal Cancer Specialist

Dr. Paul Romesser is a board-certified radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of colorectal and anal cancer. He is also actively involved in anal cancer clinical trials. Dr. Romesser is passionate about helping patients navigate the complexities of cancer care and create personalized treatment plans tailored to their needs.

BIO-Lillian Kreppel

Co-Founder and Executive Director of HPV Cancers Alliance

Lillian is an anal cancer “thriver,” patient advocate and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of HPV Cancers Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of human papilloma virus (HPV) and the cancers it can cause. She was diagnosed with HPV-related anal cancer in 2017 and has been a passionate activist and changemaker for the HPV and anal cancer community ever since.

In her own words, “No one should die from HPV – education and self-advocacy can save your life. HPV desperately needs a voice. I AM THAT VOICE!”

The bottom line: Get informed and speak up about risk factors, symptoms, and better care at all stages

Anal cancer can go undetected as it shares many of the same symptoms as common, non-cancer conditions.1 Further, people experiencing symptoms can be embarrassed to discuss them with their doctor and unaware of the key risk factors for anal cancer, which may lead to a delayed diagnosis. Open and honest communication is critical with this cancer, as early diagnosis may help improve outcomes.2

The #1 risk factor for anal cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.2,3 Other key facts about HPV include:

Nearly all sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.4
A healthy immune system will rid most HPV infections within two years before they cause precancer cell changes.4
Approximately 90% of anal cancers are associated with HPV infection.5
While anal cancer is rare, its incidence is on the rise.6
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) is the most common type of anal cancer, accounting for about 90% of all anal cancers.7

On Wednesday, March 19, in recognition of Anal Cancer Awareness Month, Lillian Kreppel, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the HPV Cancers Alliance (hpvca.org), and colorectal and anal cancer specialist, Dr. Paul Romesser, is going to discuss their personal and expert perspectives about the condition and the importance of open conversations with healthcare providers at all stages of the journey.

Together, Lillian and Dr. Romesser aim to raise national awareness of anal cancer and its connection to HPV, as well as inspire more open and comfortable communication and better care at all stages. No one is alone in this journey.

#analcancer #cancer

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Do you have a sleep disorder?

Before you start making changes to your lifestyle, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about the potential of having a sleep disorder. According to Harvard University, there are many different types of sleep disorders, from insomnia to obstructive sleep apnea, the latter of which can be fatal. Rule out any serious medical concerns before moving forward.

Diet and exercise

Now that that’s out of the way, take a look at your diet. If you’re pregnant, you may have started eating differently than you did before. Hopefully, this means that you’ve added lots of healthy foods to your diet. But even the healthiest dinner can keep you awake all night if it’s too heavy. First, as your abdomen expands, it takes less food to feel full. Plus, your body — and sense of smell — reacts differently to even your favorite foods, meaning that tacos may wind up giving you unbearable heartburn until delivery. Instead of overdoing it at the dinner table, have a light meal and a healthy snack before bed. You can also use this trick on children who tend to toss and turn the first part of the night.

Did you know that certain minerals and vitamins can improve your sleep quality? Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins D and E can all give you a little extra help sleeping, so make sure you’re taking a quality multivitamin. A multivitamin can also reduce sluggishness and prevent your mood from dipping.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re getting plenty of exercise since this is the best way to wear your body out and bring on uninterrupted slumber.

Environmental factors

Your behaviors are only one thing that can bring on unwelcomed insomnia. If your family hasn’t purchased new mattresses in a few years, it’s time to start evaluating your sleep styles. Many adults find that sleeping on a firmer mattress is most comfortable. Kids, however, might cozy up better on a soft bed with a down topper. A good mattress to try is Purple, which is a middle-of-the-road brand (it’s not luxury, but it’s not low-end either). When picking a mattress, keep your body weight in mind. If you’re on the larger side, the firmer, the better since your body weight will exert more force on the top few layers, making a mattress that the kids would call “brick-like” feel a bit too soft and squishy for you.

If you’ve switched mattress out and still can’t sleep, pay attention to the temperature. Most experts agree that somewhere in the mid-60s is good for sleep. But, if you have hormones swirling through your blood, you may experience night sweats, which can wake you from a deep sleep. Consider changing your bedding to a material that wicks moisture away and can handle frequent laundering. Keep in mind that night sweats are not just for moms; people of all ages – about three percent of the population – experience it due to medication, diabetes, or, for women, menopause.

Finally, if you’re eating well and have a comfortable surface to rest on at night, you may have to concede that the problem is your bed partner. Snoring and tossing and turning from the other side of the bed isn’t pleasant. And as much as you may not want to, there is no shame in separating bedrooms temporarily. This applies not only to husbands but to kids and pets as well. You can always try sleeping in earplugs or with a sound machine if noise is the only issue.

Remember, sleep isn’t a luxury – at least it should not be. Getting eight hours on most nights is one of the best ways to improve your mood and your health overall. It is not always easy when you have a growing family, but making a few changes, such as eating well and utilizing a mattress that fits your sleep style, is a good start.

Julia Merrill

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Morning Meeting with Paul Zak Jay Suites Times Square Location 1441 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Room D, New York, NY
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017 9:00 AM EST
Join us for a morning of learning, networking and a mastermind. CEO Clubs of America’s Guest Speaker Paul J. Zak. Zak, is the founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and an internationally recognized expert on the neuroscience of high engagement. In 2004, his lab was the first to discover the connection between Oxycontin, a “feel good” chemical produced by the brain, and the experience of trusting others and being deemed trustworthy in return. “Think of Oxycontin as the biological basis for the Golden Rule,” Zak explains. “Trust is part of our evolutionary old repertoire of social behaviors.”
Zak’s talk today will address companies twisting themselves into knots to empower and challenge their employees. They’re anxious about the sad state of engagement, and rightly so, given the value they’re losing. In Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies he shows that building a culture of trust is what makes a meaningful difference. Employees in high-trust organizations are more productive, have more energy at work, collaborate better with their colleagues, and stay with their employers longer than people working at low-trust companies. They also suffer less chronic stress and are happier with their lives, and these factors fuel stronger performance. This talk will explain how to measure and manage your company’s culture for high-trust and high-performance…

The post Paul J. Zak. Zak, is the founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and an internationally recognized expert on the neuroscience.…video and podcast are here… appeared first on Good News!.