Latest news with #SentaraHealth
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn originally appeared on Parade. High blood pressure is incredibly common, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults. Certain medications—thankfully—can help people manage hypertension, lowering their odds of further heart health issues. However, cardiologists emphasize that lifestyle tweaks, particularly dietary changes, are crucial to maintaining blood pressure levels within a normal range."Diet plays a key role because what we eat directly affects blood pressure through mechanisms like sodium (salt) balance, blood vessel health and body weight," explains , the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health. "By making healthy food choices, people can lower their blood pressure naturally, sometimes even reducing the need for medication."Unfortunately, sometimes people think they are making a healthy choice by reaching for certain snacks that can actually make hypertension worse. Cardiologists warn that this one snack has a better reputation for heart health than it should. 🩺 💊 This 'Healthy' Snack Can Worsen Hypertension, Cardiologists Say Cardiologists warn that people often overlook the high salt content in pretzels, which check other "heart-healthy" boxes. However, they don't recommend consuming tons of pretzels regularly if you have high blood pressure (or want to avoid it). "Pretzels have a misleading image of being healthy because they are low-fat—they contain less than 2 grams of fat per serving," shares , the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center. "Unlike potato chips, pretzels are baked, which consumers view as a healthier preparation method."Specifically, Dr. Talreja warns that brands that make pretzels typically stamp phrases like "0 grams of saturated fat" on the front of the bag. While the American Heart Association and cardiologists agree that it's important to check the nutrition label for saturated fat, it's not the be-all, end-all clue that a snack is heart-friendly. "Low-fat foods have been historically touted as 'healthy,'" explains, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. "While there is some truth to this, as saturated fats can be strongly associated with LDL-C levels and fats are calorie-dense and can lead to weight gain, the sodium content, the most important dietary parameter for modulation of blood pressure, may be overlooked. For those who are sensitive to dietary sodium intake, pretzels may not be a healthy choice." Related: The Problem With Pretzels and Hypertension The biggest issue with pretzels is that they contain high amounts of sodium, which can worsen high blood pressure. "The biggest consideration of pretzels when it comes to hypertension is the sodium content," Dr. Berg warns. "A single serving of store-bought pretzels can have more than 300 mg of sodium, which is substantial if patients are attempting to minimize their sodium intake and maintain a goal of less than 1,500-2,300 mg daily."Indeed, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day, but advises people with high blood pressure to reduce their intake even further—aiming for a maximum of 1,500 mg per day. "That's less than two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt total—including everything in packaged, canned, and restaurant foods," Dr. Talreja says. "Sodium can cause your body to retain water, increase blood volume and raise your blood pressure. For people with or at risk for hypertension, high-salt snacks like pretzels can undermine their blood pressure control efforts."To put pretzels in perspective, Drs. Talreja and Feingold both stress that this snack contains around 20% of your daily sodium allotment per serving. Let's double-tap on that for a second. "As often happens with snacks, people easily can consume two to three servings without realizing it," Dr. Feingold points isn't the only hidden heart health risk with pretzels. "Pretzels also are made from white flour, which causes rapid sugar spikes, which can lead to higher blood pressure and vascular inflammation," he reveals. Related: A Simple Tip for Salt Intake The "benefits" listed on the front of food bags can trick us into thinking a snack like pretzels is heart-healthy, when in fact it can worsen blood pressure. Dr. Talreja emphasizes that it's crucial to flip the bag over and has a simple mental math tip to help you determine whether or not to add the snack to your car."A simple guideline is for us to look at the label and calorie information on the back of the box," he says. "If there are more milligrams of salt than calories per serving of a packaged food, it should be considered a high salt product." Related: The Cardiologist-Recommended Diet for High Blood Pressure Cardiologists recommend that people sprint to learn more about the DASH diet for blood pressure control."DASH—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—is an evidence-based diet designed to combat high blood pressure through comprehensive nutritional strategies," Dr. Feingold The DASH diet isn't about depriving yourself of meals and snacks. Instead, it's all about loading up on delicious foods that support your efforts to control your blood pressure. Dr. Berg mentions that DASH-friendly foods include: Cruciferous vegetables (Kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) Spinach Skinless poultry Salmon Low-fat/fat-free yogurt (especially Greek yogurt for added protein content) Oatmeal Brown rice Lentils Bananas Bell peppers Beans Berries Related: 3 More Tips for Managing Hypertension Diet is one pillar of managing hypertension. However, cardiologists agree that a holistic approach, including exercise, stress relief and monitoring, is crucial. Scroll on for three more practical tips for keeping blood pressure levels in a healthy range. 1. Make exercise a habit You often hear diet and exercise mentioned in the same breath as two keys to a healthy lifestyle and managing chronic conditions. Hypertension is no different."The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity," Dr. Berg Berg says that low-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, counts. You'll simply want to ensure that you're walking "briskly" enough to get your heart rate up and breathing heavier. However, you'll still be able to talk. 2. Reduce your stress through breathing exercises Yes, stress can raise blood pressure. "Chronic stress elevates cortisol and activates the sympathetic nervous system, both of which increase blood pressure," Dr. Feingold explains. "Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response and immediately lowering blood pressure."He recommends five to 10 minutes of deep, diaphragmatic breathing daily, preferably at the same time to establish a 2020 meta-analysis in Hypertension found that mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques lowered stress and high blood pressure. 3. Monitor your blood pressure at home Knowledge is power, and Dr. Talreja says that monitoring blood pressure at home can help you flag issues."Home tracking helps catch changes early and shows whether lifestyle or medications are working," he shares. "The best solution is to start a home log and paper, which you can take with you to the doctor's record your heart rate and any unusual events that day, for example, stresses or changes in diet." Up Next:Sources: High Blood Pressure Facts. CDC. Dr. Deepak Talreja, MD, the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health Dr. Aaron Feingold, MD, the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center Saturated Fat. American Heart Association. Dr. Christopher Berg, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. DASH Diet: A Review of Its Scientifically Proven Hypertension Reduction and Health Benefits. Cureus. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Effect and Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure or Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypertension. This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn first appeared on Parade on Jul 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn originally appeared on Parade. High blood pressure is incredibly common, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults. Certain medications—thankfully—can help people manage hypertension, lowering their odds of further heart health issues. However, cardiologists emphasize that lifestyle tweaks, particularly dietary changes, are crucial to maintaining blood pressure levels within a normal range."Diet plays a key role because what we eat directly affects blood pressure through mechanisms like sodium (salt) balance, blood vessel health and body weight," explains , the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health. "By making healthy food choices, people can lower their blood pressure naturally, sometimes even reducing the need for medication."Unfortunately, sometimes people think they are making a healthy choice by reaching for certain snacks that can actually make hypertension worse. Cardiologists warn that this one snack has a better reputation for heart health than it should. 🩺 💊 This 'Healthy' Snack Can Worsen Hypertension, Cardiologists Say Cardiologists warn that people often overlook the high salt content in pretzels, which check other "heart-healthy" boxes. However, they don't recommend consuming tons of pretzels regularly if you have high blood pressure (or want to avoid it). "Pretzels have a misleading image of being healthy because they are low-fat—they contain less than 2 grams of fat per serving," shares , the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center. "Unlike potato chips, pretzels are baked, which consumers view as a healthier preparation method."Specifically, Dr. Talreja warns that brands that make pretzels typically stamp phrases like "0 grams of saturated fat" on the front of the bag. While the American Heart Association and cardiologists agree that it's important to check the nutrition label for saturated fat, it's not the be-all, end-all clue that a snack is heart-friendly. "Low-fat foods have been historically touted as 'healthy,'" explains, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. "While there is some truth to this, as saturated fats can be strongly associated with LDL-C levels and fats are calorie-dense and can lead to weight gain, the sodium content, the most important dietary parameter for modulation of blood pressure, may be overlooked. For those who are sensitive to dietary sodium intake, pretzels may not be a healthy choice." Related: The Problem With Pretzels and Hypertension The biggest issue with pretzels is that they contain high amounts of sodium, which can worsen high blood pressure. "The biggest consideration of pretzels when it comes to hypertension is the sodium content," Dr. Berg warns. "A single serving of store-bought pretzels can have more than 300 mg of sodium, which is substantial if patients are attempting to minimize their sodium intake and maintain a goal of less than 1,500-2,300 mg daily."Indeed, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day, but advises people with high blood pressure to reduce their intake even further—aiming for a maximum of 1,500 mg per day. "That's less than two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt total—including everything in packaged, canned, and restaurant foods," Dr. Talreja says. "Sodium can cause your body to retain water, increase blood volume and raise your blood pressure. For people with or at risk for hypertension, high-salt snacks like pretzels can undermine their blood pressure control efforts."To put pretzels in perspective, Drs. Talreja and Feingold both stress that this snack contains around 20% of your daily sodium allotment per serving. Let's double-tap on that for a second. "As often happens with snacks, people easily can consume two to three servings without realizing it," Dr. Feingold points isn't the only hidden heart health risk with pretzels. "Pretzels also are made from white flour, which causes rapid sugar spikes, which can lead to higher blood pressure and vascular inflammation," he reveals. Related: A Simple Tip for Salt Intake The "benefits" listed on the front of food bags can trick us into thinking a snack like pretzels is heart-healthy, when in fact it can worsen blood pressure. Dr. Talreja emphasizes that it's crucial to flip the bag over and has a simple mental math tip to help you determine whether or not to add the snack to your car."A simple guideline is for us to look at the label and calorie information on the back of the box," he says. "If there are more milligrams of salt than calories per serving of a packaged food, it should be considered a high salt product." Related: The Cardiologist-Recommended Diet for High Blood Pressure Cardiologists recommend that people sprint to learn more about the DASH diet for blood pressure control."DASH—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—is an evidence-based diet designed to combat high blood pressure through comprehensive nutritional strategies," Dr. Feingold The DASH diet isn't about depriving yourself of meals and snacks. Instead, it's all about loading up on delicious foods that support your efforts to control your blood pressure. Dr. Berg mentions that DASH-friendly foods include: Cruciferous vegetables (Kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) Spinach Skinless poultry Salmon Low-fat/fat-free yogurt (especially Greek yogurt for added protein content) Oatmeal Brown rice Lentils Bananas Bell peppers Beans Berries Related: 3 More Tips for Managing Hypertension Diet is one pillar of managing hypertension. However, cardiologists agree that a holistic approach, including exercise, stress relief and monitoring, is crucial. Scroll on for three more practical tips for keeping blood pressure levels in a healthy range. 1. Make exercise a habit You often hear diet and exercise mentioned in the same breath as two keys to a healthy lifestyle and managing chronic conditions. Hypertension is no different."The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity," Dr. Berg Berg says that low-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, counts. You'll simply want to ensure that you're walking "briskly" enough to get your heart rate up and breathing heavier. However, you'll still be able to talk. 2. Reduce your stress through breathing exercises Yes, stress can raise blood pressure. "Chronic stress elevates cortisol and activates the sympathetic nervous system, both of which increase blood pressure," Dr. Feingold explains. "Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response and immediately lowering blood pressure."He recommends five to 10 minutes of deep, diaphragmatic breathing daily, preferably at the same time to establish a 2020 meta-analysis in Hypertension found that mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques lowered stress and high blood pressure. 3. Monitor your blood pressure at home Knowledge is power, and Dr. Talreja says that monitoring blood pressure at home can help you flag issues."Home tracking helps catch changes early and shows whether lifestyle or medications are working," he shares. "The best solution is to start a home log and paper, which you can take with you to the doctor's record your heart rate and any unusual events that day, for example, stresses or changes in diet." Up Next:Sources: High Blood Pressure Facts. CDC. Dr. Deepak Talreja, MD, the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health Dr. Aaron Feingold, MD, the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center Saturated Fat. American Heart Association. Dr. Christopher Berg, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. DASH Diet: A Review of Its Scientifically Proven Hypertension Reduction and Health Benefits. Cureus. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Effect and Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure or Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypertension. This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn first appeared on Parade on Jul 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Cardiologist issues food advice to lower blood pressure in hours
A heart doctor says eating the right food is key and you can notice a difference in a matter of hours Munching on leafy greens might not seem as appealing as a biscuit, but such a tiny tweak to your eating habits could make a world of difference. And according to those in the know, tucking into a bit of spinach could be a game-changer. The often overlooked veg has the potential to lower your systolic blood pressure, and a doctor noted that improvements can be spotted within "hours" - and with "daily intake" it could work wonders. Speaking to Parade, Doctor Deepak Talreja, cardiologist and clinical chief of cardiology at Sentara Health, said: "Spinach may help lower systolic blood pressure, largely due to its rich content of dietary nitrates. "When we eat nitrate-rich foods like spinach, the body converts nitrates to nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes and dilates blood vessels." With your blood vessels in a more relaxed and widened state, blood can flow more effortlessly, decreasing the vascular resistance, which is essentially the resistance to blood flow in the veins and arteries. "This can lead to a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure," he said. He proceeded to cite several studies backing the effects of spinach on systolic blood pressure and highlighted one study in particular. He said: "A randomised crossover trial published in Hypertension found that a diet high in nitrate-rich vegetables such as spinach significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, particularly when consumed regularly. "The effect may be seen within hours of consumption and can persist with daily intake. Regularly incorporating fresh spinach into meals - whether in salads, smoothies or sautés - can be a simple, natural way to support healthier blood pressure and overall cardiovascular wellbeing." Dr Talreja added: "While spinach alone won't replace medications or other proven treatments, it can be part of a broader dietary strategy aligned with the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Mediterranean diets - both of which are associated with lower cardiovascular risk." Rich in potassium, spinach also helps regulate sodium and blood pressure levels. Additionally, it is an excellent source of magnesium. As an antioxidant-rich food, spinach is high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, which can help mitigate the risk of damage and clogged blood vessels, as well as high cholesterol. The Hypertension study adds that beetroot juice is also a great example of a "single dose of dietary inorganic nitrate" that can reduce your blood pressure. They said that in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 68 people with hypertension were randomly assigned to drink either 250 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice or nitrate-free (placebo) juice every day for 4 weeks. Participants were either not on medication or already being treated for high blood pressure, and ranged in age from 18 to 85. Results showed that those who drank the nitrate-rich juice had significant reductions in blood pressure measured at the clinic, at home, and over 24 hours. These effects lasted throughout the 4 weeks with no signs of the body adapting (which they call "tachyphylaxis"). Additionally, blood vessel function improved by about 20%, and artery stiffness decreased. There were no changes in the placebo group. The researchers concluded: "This is the first evidence of durable BP reduction with dietary nitrate supplementation in a relevant patient group. These findings suggest a role for dietary nitrate as an affordable, readily-available, adjunctive treatment in the management of patients with hypertension (funded by The British Heart Foundation)."
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sentara teams with Mutts With A Mission to offer unique clinical experience
The Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake partnered Thursday with Mutts With A Mission to offer clinical training for veterans and eight newly trained service dogs. Based in Virginia Beach, Mutts With A Mission trains service dogs for disabled veterans, law enforcement and first responders at no charge to the recipients. Thursday's simulation marked the nonprofit organization's first opportunity to conduct this type of final-phase training for its dogs. The experience took place in a simulated hospital room, where the service dogs accompanied their handlers through each step of a typical visit — from check-in at the front desk, to the waiting room, to the doctor's office and finally back to the front desk for check-out. Jo Ofeldt, office manager and puppy raiser at Mutts With A Mission, said she was pleased to hear the dogs were attentive to their handlers and Sentara's staff during the simulation. 'It's the culmination of all the love and care we've poured into these dogs, and to see it all come together is just incredible,' Ofeldt said. The simulation was also Sentara Health's first clinical training partnership involving service dogs, Director of Clinical Education Jolene Dorrell said. 'The most important part to me is paying back to the service community, for the veterans and for first responders,' said Debra Gillis, manager of the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake. 'It just really shows that there are so many aspects of healthcare and of the human being.' After spending three days at Mutts With A Mission's training facility, Kyle Cozad, CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and retired two-star rear admiral, said the simulation was his first outing with his dog, Neo. Cozad highlighted the simulation's importance in preparing Neo for routine doctor's appointments. Mutts with a Mission service dog Vatra sits in a mock-hospital room at the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) John McIvor with Virginia Beach Fire Department sits in a mock-hospital room with his Mutts with a Mission service dog Maple at the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The simulation was intended to recreate a realistic clinical experience in a simulated hospital room to aid in training of the service dogs. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Brooke Corson, founder and director of Mutts with a Mission, walks with Mutts with a Mission service dog Vatra in a mock-clinical environment at the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Ramone Rivenburg, active-duty Navy, sits in a mock-waiting room with his Mutts with a Mission service dog Flynn at the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Show Caption1 of 5Registered Nurse Bobbie Smith welcomes Kyle Cozad, a 35-year Navy veteran, and his Mutts with a Mission service dog Neo into a mock-hospital room at the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)Expand 'It's a tremendous partnership, and hopefully this can continue in the future for other transition camps,' Cozad said. Navy veteran Jamey Hebert said Mutts With A Mission's training effectively prepared his dog, Yeti, for the simulation. 'I really appreciate that more people are getting on board and understanding what a game changer these guys are,' Hebert said. Maddie Mohamadi,
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New state law aims to protect health care workers from workplace violence
(WAVY) — A new bill taking effect this summer aims to prevent workplace violence against healthcare workers. There have been several incidents over the years of patients acting aggressively towards people who are there to provide help. This new law would give them a helping hand. Sentara Health is actually ahead of the game, having implemented several procedures back in 2022 to guard against workplace violence, or even prevent it. 'It's something that our staff deal with almost on a daily basis,' said Stephen Hollowell, senior director of systemwide security at Sentara Health. The new state law is needed, Hollowell said. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states healthcare workers are five times more likely to be injured in workplace violence than those in any other sector — '[people] who get assaulted, punched, bitten, kicked. We're dealing, a lot of times with people at their lowest point and we have some tremendous, dedicated staff here,' Hollowell said. 'And the irony is, they're the ones that get assaulted.' Senate Bill 1260 states hospitals in the Commonwealth shall establish a workplace violence incident reporting system, record all incidents and adopt a policy that prohibits anyone from discriminating or retaliating against employees who report the incidents. 'We're having our officers trained to carry and utilize tasers where appropriate,' Hollowell said. They've also implemented a line of questioning to see if a subject displays signs of aggression. And they also have new hardware. 'By the end of this month, … 16 of our 17 [emergency departments] will have weapons detection systems,' Hollowell said. He says it's unfortunate legislative action has been needed to combat the violence. 'Unfortunately, given the level of violence we've seen in this country, it's a necessary way of moving forward,' Hollowell said. He said the state needs to take the next step and make any violence against healthcare workers a felony in the eyes of the law. Georgia passed a bill in 2023 that did just that. Virginia's law will take effect July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
