Latest news with #heartHealth
Medscape
07-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Start With the Why: Easing Fears of Cardiac Testing
It's common for patients to schedule an office visit due to symptoms like shortness of breath from doing regular tasks, feeling heart palpitations, experiencing mild chest pain, or feeling weak or unusually tired. During your assessment, if you determine that the patient has an irregular heartbeat, a family history of cardiac conditions, or believe further testing is warranted, realize that a patient could be fearful of cardiac testing. To ease the concerns of your patients, it's important to explain how such testing can diagnose the reason they aren't feeling quite right and how their treatment team can help them feel better. Start With the Why Leaving the trusted environment of a primary care office can be daunting for patients, particularly for those who haven't had cardiac testing before. But explaining why you're suggesting the tests can help a patient understand. "The most important step would be to explain how cardiac testing can be important in order to screen for issues before they become serious," said David Weininger Cohen, MD, a cardiologist with the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami in Florida. He also suggested recounting what symptoms patients are experiencing and how specific tests can investigate what's causing them. Also, explaining that some symptoms may not even be tied to cardiac issues could be another strategy to demonstrate the importance of further testing. "For instance, chest pain is a symptom that becomes a common reason for visits. Most people usually associate chest pain with heart issues, but there are a lot of structures in the chest that can cause pain, not just the heart — cartilage, esophagus, sometimes part of the stomach, skin, and even nerve endings," he said. "Ultimately, cardiac testing is important because it allows the physician to discriminate between cardiac and non-cardiac causes for the patient's symptoms." In addition, reassuring your patients that these experts can diagnose potential issues may also ease their worries, so articulate how such cardiac tests are performed in a controlled environment with trained staff that can anticipate issues and respond quickly if something goes wrong, Weininger Cohen added. Understand Patients Are Fearful of Test Results Some patients are afraid of the results as much as the test. "In those cases, I like to reinforce why the test is necessary and why we're doing it," said Weininger Cohen. "Additionally, I sometimes go through the possible scenarios depending on the results of each test." Knowing what lies ahead, depending on what the test shows, can sometimes be reassuring — you're showing patients you know exactly what the next steps would be. Treat Fears Patient by Patient Although there are some general practice strategies to ease fear regarding cardiac testing, personalizing your approach is also important. "The best way to tackle fear of cardiac testing would be to ask the patient exactly what they're afraid of," said Weininger Cohen. Some patients are going to be afraid of having pain or discomfort during the test. Some patients are afraid of what the results may be, and some patients are afraid of possible complications. "Usually, the best way to approach the topic is to explain the reason for the test and then address the specific fear the patient has," he specified. For example, the best way to describe an EKG would be to explain that it is a test that is trying to capture the electrical activity of the heart. To achieve that, the person performing it is putting sensors on different parts of the patient's body to detect the heart's electrical current from different points, he said. Emphasizing that the test is painless, and that it's just capturing the natural electrical activity of the heart, should put patients at ease. How Can You Best Describe an Echocardiogram? Most patients understand what an ultrasound is, so advising patients that an echocardiogram is simply an ultrasound study of the heart can calm fears. It may also be helpful to share that in some cases, ultrasounds use enhancing agents, referred to as contrast, to get a look at the different structures of the heart, he said. Some patients could be concerned about radiation. "Both tests are radiation free, and this is something that some patients are very interested in knowing before proceeding, especially if they have been previously exposed to radiation through other diagnostic imaging tests or radiotherapy for cancer treatment," Weininger Cohen said. Taking the time to explain both an echocardiogram and an EKG can help your patients understand what to expect and reduce worry and the fear of the unknown. What to Tell Patients Before Referring to a Cardiologist Referring a patient to a specialist like a cardiologist could cause fear. So explain why you're taking this step. Mustafa M. Ahmed, MD "Telling a patient why they need to see a heart expert and how they will add to their overall care can be a helpful first step," said Mustafa M. Ahmed, MD, a cardiologist and professor of medicine, who's also vice chief of research of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and medical director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville. "Assuring them that they won't be losing their primary care doctor, but gaining a specialist to consult with both them and the primary care team, is often a good way to frame expectations." Lifestyle Tweaks You Might Suggest In the context of your discussions with patients regarding their symptoms and recommendations for cardiac testing, Ahmed suggested expressing how diet and exercise, as a part of overall lifestyle changes, can be the most impactful way to prevent heart disease. "Gentle guidance and step-by-step encouragement are often helpful," he said. Also, involving other family members and friends in that journey is another strategy. This may include taking walks, preparing meals together, or embracing a healthier mindset overall.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Modern Family' star Julie Bowen opens up about heart disorder, 'Happy Gilmore 2' role
Julie Bowen is opening up about the heart condition that led her to receive a pacemaker at age 29. In an appearance on the "Inside of You" podcast released on Tuesday, July 1, the "Modern Family" star, 55, discussed being diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, a heart disorder that caused her to have a low heart rate. Bowen noted she was diagnosed soon after graduating college thanks to her sister, who was in medical school at the time. The actress always had a low heart rate, but when her sister listened to it with a stethoscope, she told Bowen, "You need to go to a cardiologist immediately." Bowen subsequently received her diagnosis and got a pacemaker under her armpit, right after shooting the pilot of her early 2000s NBC series, "Ed." "I was like, 'Oh my God. My life is over. This is so weird. I'm going to die.' I don't know what I thought it was," Bowen said. "I was 29 years old." 'Modern Family' star Julie Bowen clears up that viral hiker rescue story: 'I did nothing' The actress explained the condition would give her a feeling of lightheadedness − as if she had been holding her breath − whenever she was relaxed. Before receiving her pacemaker, which she has had replaced a few times since, doctors warned that this could result in Bowen passing out while behind the wheel of a car and causing an accident. According to the Mayo Clinic, sick sinus syndrome is a kind of heart rhythm disorder that causes heartbeats that are "too fast, too slow, interrupted by long pauses — or an alternating combination of these rhythm issues." The condition is "relatively uncommon." "The risk of developing it increases with age," the clinic notes. "Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need an implanted device called a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm." 'Modern Family' cast share emotions of last script reading: 'I was sobbing' Bowen previously discussed the condition in a 2011 interview with WebMD. She said at the time that her pacemaker "serves as a monitor for me," adding that she is grateful "to live during a time when the technology exists to treat my condition." She also noted that she doesn't "hear or feel" the device. In fact, when Bowen's pacemaker was brought up on the "Inside of You" podcast, she said, "That's right. I forget about that all the time." During her "Inside of You" appearance, Bowen also reflected on reprising her "Happy Gilmore" character Virginia Venit in the upcoming sequel "Happy Gilmore 2." The actress said she was initially surprised there was still interest in featuring Venit, a pro golf tour public relations director who becomes the romantic interest of Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore. "I didn't think they'd bring me back at all," Bowen said. "I mean, who am I supposed to be? He's got to have a younger woman in this one." Although Bowen reportedly has a smaller role, she said Sandler encouraged her that Venit is "the heart of the movie." "Happy Gilmore 2," set for a July 25 release, will also include appearances from Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller, who played Shooter McGavin and Hal L., respectively, in the 1996 cult comedy classic. The star-studded cast is rounded out with additional performances by "The Substance" actress Margaret Qualley, reggaeton singer Bad Bunny, rap superstar Eminem and NFL player Travis Kelce. 10 bingeable memoirs to check out: Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyoncé Despite her starring role in the original "Happy Gilmore," Bowen said she didn't anticipate landing the gig because she thought filmmakers were looking for a "hot girl" to portray Venit. "I read, and they were relieved," Bowen recalled of her audition. "They were visibly relieved. I go, 'What's going on?' They're like, 'Yeah, some of these girls are just so aggressively sexy.' And I was like, 'That's a bad thing?' I thought you guys liked that." (This story was updated to add new information.) Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Julie Bowen discusses heart disorder, 'Happy Gilmore 2' role
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Modern Family' star opens up about heart disorder, getting pacemaker at 29
Julie Bowen is opening up about the heart condition that led her to receive a pacemaker at age 29. In an appearance on the "Inside of You" podcast released on Tuesday, July 1, the "Modern Family" star, 55, discussed being diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, a heart disorder that caused her to have a low heart rate. Bowen noted she was diagnosed soon after graduating college thanks to her sister, who was in medical school at the time. The actress always had a low heart rate, but when her sister listened to it with a stethoscope, she told Bowen, "You need to go to a cardiologist immediately." Bowen subsequently received her diagnosis and got a pacemaker under her armpit, right after shooting the pilot of her early 2000s NBC series, "Ed." "I was like, 'Oh my God. My life is over. This is so weird. I'm going to die.' I don't know what I thought it was," Bowen said. "I was 29 years old." 'Modern Family' star Julie Bowen clears up that viral hiker rescue story: 'I did nothing' The actress explained the condition would give her a feeling of lightheadedness − as if she had been holding her breath − whenever she was relaxed. Before receiving her pacemaker, which she has had replaced a few times since, doctors warned that this could result in Bowen passing out while behind the wheel of a car and causing an accident. According to the Mayo Clinic, sick sinus syndrome is a kind of heart rhythm disorder that causes heartbeats that are "too fast, too slow, interrupted by long pauses — or an alternating combination of these rhythm issues." The condition is "relatively uncommon." "The risk of developing it increases with age," the clinic notes. "Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need an implanted device called a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm." 'Modern Family' cast share emotions of last script reading: 'I was sobbing' Bowen previously discussed the condition in a 2011 interview with WebMD. She said at the time that her pacemaker "serves as a monitor for me," adding that she is grateful "to live during a time when the technology exists to treat my condition." She also noted that she doesn't "hear or feel" the device. In fact, when Bowen's pacemaker was brought up on the "Inside of You" podcast, she said, "That's right. I forget about that all the time." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is sick sinus syndrome? Julie Bowen discusses heart disorder
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Modern Family star Julie Bowen thought she was ‘gonna die' after her health diagnosis at 29
Julie Bowen is opening up about her health. The Modern Family star, 55, told Michael Rosenbaum on Tuesday's episode of his Inside of You podcast that she has sick sinus syndrome, a type of rhythm disorder that affects the heart's natural pacemaker, per the Mayo Clinic. Bowen's condition is called hypervagotonia, which is increased activity in the vagus nerve, according to the National Institute of Health. 'I have a low resting heart rate,' she explained, noting that her pacemaker is 'set so that it can't go below 45.' Before the pacemaker, Bowen's resting heart rate was in the 30s, when the 'normal' resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute for women. The Hysteria! star's sister diagnosed her condition while the two were on a getaway. Bowen shared that her sibling, Annie Luetkemeyer, had just graduated from medical school and 'was at that time in her life when she, I guess, she always carried around a stethoscope. And we were on vacation, and she was like, 'I wanna listen to this.'' 'She was like, 'That is not what they've been telling you, and it's not runner's heart or whatever. That means you need to go to a cardiologist,'' the Happy Gilmore star remembered. 'I was like, 'I'm fine,'' the actress shared, adding that her sister 'would not let it go.' A month later, Bowen shot the pilot for the NBC series Ed alongside Tom Cavanagh. The comedy/drama ran from 2000 to 2004. 'I shot the pilot of Ed and immediately had to go get a pacemaker afterwards,' Bowen said. 'I was like, 'Oh my God. My life is over. This is so weird. I'm gonna die.' I don't know what I thought it was, because I was 29.' 'You're lucky you didn't die before that,' Rosenbaum, 52, responded. 'They said I wouldn't probably die of it, but I'd start passing out,' Bowen clarified. 'There was a vague feeling … whenever I was relaxed, really relaxed, I'd be, like, watching TV or movie.' The Hubie Halloween star described it felt like she'd 'been holding my breath for a while, that feeling of, like, light-headedness. And they said, 'You're gonna be driving a car, and you're gonna pass out, and you're gonna kill somebody.' And I was like, 'Oh, well, then give me the Goddamn pacemaker.'' Bowen has had the batteries replaced three times; however, she admitted, 'I forget about it all the time.' These days, the Boston Legal star hasn't let her condition slow her down one bit. In fact, she's starring in the upcoming sequel to the beloved 1996 sports comedy Happy Gilmore. Bowen is reprising her role as Virginia Venit, the love interest of Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore, but didn't know if she'd be asked back for round two. 'I thought, 'Well I won't be in it,'' Bowen told The Hollywood Reporter in June. 'And that was OK — it was like Virginia Venit, it's been 30 years, he's got a hottie. He's got some little bitty on the side, like a cart girl,' she continued. 'As a matter of fact my children told me, before I was even told officially that there was a Happy Gilmore sequel, my now 18-year-old said, 'Mum, I hear they're doing a sequel and he's with Sydney Sweeney as a cart girl.'' Bowen teased, 'I went, I'm hurt and I so respect that move. Of course, why wouldn't you? So when I got the call that I was actually in it, I was like, 'Are you sure? Come on.'' Although Sweeney, 27, isn't in the film, the sequel is set to have a slew of new faces, including Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie, Travis Kelce, Kym Whitley and Eminem. 'Seeing Bad Bunny on set I was just like, 'Oh, I can't actually look you in the eye, I'm going to have to walk away,' and I did,' Bowen recalled. 'I think he was offended and I had to circle back and now I made it worse. I'm the kind of person who doesn't want to meet her heroes because I think I'm just going to be a jackass.'
Health Line
02-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Health Effects of Daylight Saving: Risks Outweigh Benefits
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is often associated with extended daylight hours, but its health effects are more complex than they may seem. While some argue that DST encourages outdoor activity and boosts mood due to the 'extra' hour of evening daylight, research indicates that the health risks may outweigh the minimal benefits. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has expressed concerns about the adverse effects of DST on public health. The AASM recommends eliminating seasonal time changes in favor of a fixed, national, year-round standard time, as current evidence best supports this approach for public health and safety. The Mayo Clinic conducted a nationwide study examining the effects of DST on heart health. Researchers found that the impact of DST on heart health is likely minimal, suggesting that concerns about heart health should not be a primary factor in decisions regarding DST.
