Advancing Your Health

New research indicates that a blood test that is relatively simple can predict a patient’s risk of suffering a future heart attack. Physicians can determine what patients need more aggressive testing and treatment as well as those who are low – risk patients so they can avoid unnecessary tests. Before this research was completed it was not possible to differentiate a patient with heart disease who was at risk for a future heart attack versus a patient who was not likely to suffer future cardiac events. Therefore, cardiologists are now able to quickly treat the at risk patients and monitor those at lower risk. Emory cardiologist Arshed Quyyumi, MD and Stephen E. Epstien, MD of MedStar Heart Institute are the senior authors of this research. During the research they studied over 3400 cardiology patients who had confirmed coronary artery disease or suspected disease. Each [...]

Dr. David Markham, MD, MSc

Emory Center for Heart Failure and Transplantation and Saint Joseph’s Hospital are pleased to welcome David Markham, MD, MSc, to the team as the medical director of the Heart Failure Clinic at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

Markham is an experienced heart failure and transplant cardiologist and has performed groundbreaking work in the area of assist device physiology.

"I'm excited that Dr. Markham will be leading heart failure services and our partnership with Saint Joseph's," says Andrew Smith, MD, director of the Center for Heart Failure and Transplantation and chief of cardiology at Emory University Hospital. "He will continue the progress we've already made over the past few months with the Advanced Heart Failure Network and the consolidation of services for network patients at Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown and

Dr. Farheen Shirazi

Dr. Farheen Shirazi, Emory Heart & Vascular Center cardiologist, recently conducted a live web chat on the topic of women and heart disease. During the chat, Dr. Shirazi provided participants with information ranging from how women can prevent heart disease to the importance of getting treatment right away, and details on the latest research underway to combat heart disease in women.

One of our attendees in Tuesday’s chat asked Dr. Shirazi, “What is the best diet for patients with heart disease?” Dr. Shirazi noted that the most effective diet will depend on each person’s specific risk factors for heart disease, but in general, the most recent evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet is heart healthy. Dr. Shirazi explained that the Mediterranean Diet is rich in lean protein (poultry), good fats (olive oil) and omega-3s (fatty fish), and low in

Emory is one of 17 collaborating centers from 10 countries participating in a new international consortium project aimed at earlier detection and prevention of heart failure. The European Commission has awarded a grant of almost $16 million (EUR 12 million) to the Heart Omics in Ageing (HOMAGE) project, with a goal of better identifying more specific biomarkers for heart failure and then developing methods for earlier detection of risk in the elderly population. A biomarker, or biological marker, is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention. It serves as a guide for health and physiology related assessments. The prevalence of heart failure is increasing worldwide because of the aging population and a rising trend of risk factors [...]

Today is National Start Walking Day so get up and get moving! Your heart will thank you! Statistics say that 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women are at risk for heart disease. Research says that poor lifestyle choices are the major contributor to the disease.

Walkers during the 2010 Atlanta Heart Walk.

Research by the American Heart Association proves the benefits of walking (or moderate physical activity) for at least 30 minutes a day can help:

• Improve mental well being
•  Lower blood pressure
• Improve blood sugar levels
• Maintain or improve body weight
• Lower risks of colon and breast cancer
• Lower cholesterol
• Reduce risk of coronary heart disease

The HeartWise℠ Risk Reduction Program Lecture Series aims to reduce people’s risk of heart disease through education and interaction. In addition to serving patients who currently suffer from heart disease, we also provide help to individuals who could be at risk for heart complications in the future including those who smoke, do not exercise or have high blood pressure. You can register for our HeartWise events online! ♥ How to Live to 100! Shanna Stewart, Exercise & Health Science Intern Monday, April 1, 8:30am – 9:00am, Repeated at 12:00 – 12:30pm ♥ Take Care of those FEET! Dr. Frank Sinkoe Friday, April 5, 11:45am – 12:15pm ♥ WomenHeart of Atlanta: Support Group Monday, April 8, 12pm – 1:15pm ♥ Reading Food Labels Tasha Mickens, RD, LD, CDE Monday, April 15, 12pm – 12:30pm ♥ Why Sleep is so Important Jennifer James, Exercise [...]

Emory physicians Nanette Wenger, MD and Vinod Thourani, MD were recently awarded prestigious honors from the American College of Cardiology. Nanette K. Wenger, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine, was recently honored by the American College of Cardiology with its inaugural 2013 Distinguished Mentor Award in recognition of her dedication to mentorship and tremendous role in shaping the careers of current and future leaders in cardiology. “Throughout my career, mentoring women and men in cardiology, including students, residents, cardiology trainees, faculty, and community physicians, has been equally a passion and a reward,” says Wenger. “The science and practice of cardiology will be advanced by its emerging leaders, and it has been my privilege to contribute to their progress.” Dr. Wenger is [...]

Many people consider heart disease to be a predominantly male-oriented condition. However, heart disease is the number one killer in women and affects one out of every three in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease occurs when fatty build-up in your coronary arteries, called plaque, prevents blood flow that’s needed to provide oxygen to your heart.  When the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced, or completely cut off, a heart attack occurs. “The scary thing is that heart attacks in females are more likely to be fatal than in men,” explains Farheen Shirazi, Cardiologist at the Emory Heart & Vascular Center at Johns Creek. “Far too often, women ignore the warning signs of a heart attack and do not seek immediate medical attention. As time elapses, the muscles of the heart weaken, causing severe or [...]

The HeartWise℠ Risk Reduction Program Lecture Series aims to reduce people’s risk of heart disease through education and interaction. In addition to serving patients who currently suffer from heart disease, we also provide help to individuals who could be at risk for heart complications in the future including those who smoke, do not exercise or have high blood pressure. You can register for our HeartWise events online! ♥ WomenHeart of Atlanta: Support Group Monday, March 11, 12pm – 1:15pm ♥ Fundamentals of Strength Training Clay Knight, Exercise Physiologist Monday, March 18, 8:30am – 9:00am, Repeated at 12pm – 12:3pm ♥ Angina Jane Whitmer, RN Monday, March 25, 12pm – 12:30pm ♥ Benefits of Vitamin D Paul White, MD, Rehabilitation Medicine Resident Wednesday, March 20, 11:30am – 12pm Admission is free and everyone is welcome and [...]

Emory Heart & Vascluar Center is the only site in Georgia participating in a new multi-center, FDA-approved clinical trial that will study a new stent graft designed as a minimally invasive option for patients with juxtarenal (JAA) and pararenal (PAA) aortic aneurysms. Emory Heart & Vascular Center vascular surgeon and Emory University School of Medicine associate professor of surgery Ravi Veeraswamy, MD, is the local principal investigator of the study. The trial, sponsored by Endologix, Inc., will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Ventana™ Fenestrated System for these patients. It is estimated that 20% of diagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysms are not treatable with currently approved endovascular devices because they have extremely short aortic necks and/or involve the renal arteries. So it is exciting to know that early clinical experience with the new graft outside [...]