Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) provides New Jerseyans with two advanced screenings that enable cardiologists to quickly and precisely detect narrowed or blocked arteries that can lead to a heart attack or stroke without invasive procedures.
According to the World Health Organization, American Heart Association (AHA) and other healthcare organizations, as many as 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. While this may be true, aging increases risk of heart disease, and some conditions can be hereditary, passed on from parents, and not controllable.
There are many risk factors that can be controlled. They include not smoking, avoiding diabetes and obesity by eating a heart healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, and reducing salt intake and blood pressure, among others. The AHA recommends two eating plans for better heart health, a Mediterranean-style diet and the DASH diet, a.k.a. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet allows more low-fat or fat-free dairy products and meat, while the Mediterranean diet includes regular use of olive oil.
“Since all risk factors are not under our control and people could be mitigating their controllable risk factors but still have underlying heart and vascular conditions, routine screenings and regular doctor visits remain important,” said Aaron J. Feingold, M.D., chair of Cardiology, Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center.
Advanced screenings give clinicians a clear picture of your risk of heart disease or stroke. Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) provides New Jerseyans with two advanced screenings that enable cardiologists to quickly and precisely detect narrowed or blocked arteries that can lead to a heart attack or stroke without invasive procedures. Within a 15-minute span, AngioScreen® screens for heart and blood vessel disease by blending several distinct screenings and measurements. These include tests that are used to determine the health of vessels in the neck, heart and legs, as well as blood pressure and pulse, and the heart’s rhythm and detection of abnormalities before an emergency. “The goal is to identify any concerns, so that treatment can begin early, whether with medication, lifestyle changes or interventional procedures,” said Dr. Feingold.
Another quick screening, CT Calcium Scoring, is a 10-minute scan searching for calcium-containing, hardened plaque in the arteries surrounding the heart. Patients with higher calcium scores have a greater risk for a heart attack, heart disease or stroke. “This scan provides cardiologists with another accurate gauge of a patient’s risk. It helps determine the value of possible preventive interventions,” said Dr. Feingold. “It’s important for everyone to realize how advanced cardiovascular care has become, even in just that past five years. We’ve come such a long way in a short time, it’s miraculous. Whether through our new medications, leading-edge heart devices, minimally invasive techniques and procedures, cardiologists today are saving and enhancing the lives of patients in ways that couldn’t have been dreamt of 40, 30 or even 20 years ago.”
Individuals looking for a heart specialist, those who want to schedule a screening to find out their risk of heart disease, or are interested in virtual heart education programs, should call 844-HMH-WELL or visit HMHhasHeart.com. Hackensack Meridian Health created a brief 10-question quiz for people to determine their risk for heart disease, those interested in discovering their risk can visit, www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/HealthU/2023/01/23/Are-You-At-Risk-For-Heart-Disease.
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ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey.
The network’s notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children’s hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six specialties. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.
SOURCE; Hackensack Meridian Health
