Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 17)

Q: : Q online “Why can’t I shake thIs sadness?” Cardiologists are experts on the physical heart. But sometimes, they delve into the metaphorical heart, too. “That’s truly a hard one,” Gerber says. “I’ve seen patients in the practice who have been tearful when they talk about life after a heart attack. I suspect that sadness has to do with loss—the feeling of invincibility that is lost.” It’s common to feel depressed and anxious after a heart attack or bypass surgery, Gulati says. It’s vital that you seek treatment for depression, because patients who don’t are more likely to have repeat heart attacks. “Patients don’t often bring it up, and physicians don’t do enough to screen for it,” she adds. “We cardiologists may not be equipped to give you the medication or the counseling you need, but we can refer you to someone who can help. “You shouldn’t suffer in silence.” The Strickland Heart Center at GMC– Lawrenceville is home to advanced cardiovascular services, including open heart surgery. To find a cardiologist in your area, take a FREE heart health assessment or learn more, visit gmcheart.com. Learn How to Get a Healthier Heart The Most Valuable Question “Is It possIble to ‘cram’ for my checkup?” It’s tempting to scarf salads and pop fish oil pills the week before a cholesterol test. But will your cardiologist know you haven’t maintained a healthy diet? The answer is yep—you’re busted. Your body is full of clues that help doctors piece together a picture of your health. The most telling clue is a little thing called the hemoglobin A1c test, which measures the average amount of sugar in your red blood cells over the past 90 days. “It’s like a picture of what you did the last three months,” Gulati says. “You can’t do anything about that. It’s one of the ways we can make sure you are eating right.” There are other clues. “If someone hasn’t been adhering to a diet, their cholesterol and blood pressure will be proof,” Gerber says. Cardiologists check your lipid panel, otherwise known as your fasting cholesterol panel. This test shows what is circulating in your blood right now. That’s why it’s important to fast at least 10 to 12 hours beforehand. “If you eat a really bad meal right before coming to the doctor, those numbers will be awful,” Gulati says. “If you eat a diet very high in fat, cholesterol or a heavily carb-related diet, we will see that.” High-carbohydrate foods such as beer and chips make your triglycerides spike. And fasting glucose, which can signal diabetes, rises with poor eating habits. “If you’re consistently eating diets high in sugar or carbs, you most likely have a high fasting glucose, particularly if you’re an apple-shaped person rather than a pear-shaped person,” Gulati says. “If your abdomen enters the room before you do, your risk of diabetes is higher.” visit a cardiologis t, The next time you the mos t imporm ake sure you ask : “What can I do to tant ques tion of all alt h? ” improve my he ar t he nt asks this ques“I hope ever y patie Sandler, M .D., tion,” says M anfred gy at Gwinnet t director of cardiolo re is the answer. M edical Center. He e low in fat Eat food s th at ar ercise regularly. “It an d sugar, and ex l, but it’s the be st sounds stereot ypica ,” Dr. Sandler says . thing people can do y weight by M ai nt ai n a he al th you did las t ye ar. exercising more than start with 10 minIf you aren’t ac tive, utes a day. you’re having Q uit sm ok ing. If t can review your trouble, a cardiologis the next step. ef fort s and sugges t Abnorm al blood Know your ris k. l, blood sugar levpres sure , choles tero and a sedent ar y els , smok ing , obesity risk. life style put you at m ed ic al record s Bring your a cardiologis t. when you meet with od advice unles s “It ’s hard to give go at your backwe know exac tly wh ha s been done ground is and what says . before ,” Dr. Sandler Vim & Vigor • FAL L 2012 17 http://www.gmcheart.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
Good Times for a Good Cause
Warm Fuzzies
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can’t Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
Still A Screening Star
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
PrimeTime Health
From the Heart
Putting Everything in Place
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center