This Winter - Bury Your Heart Attack Risk

It’s not uncommon to hear one say that another has a “cold heart.” This winter, Franciscan Physicians Hospital is providing some tips to keep you from having a “cold heart,” quite literally.

The combination of shoveling and typical winter temperatures causes a significant increase in heart attacks with heart attack deaths tripling among men 35 to 49 years old, says Daniel Forman, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist.

With a heightened risk to you and your health in the winter season, it’s important to review the symptoms and signs of a heart attack so that you’re aware if you’re having one.
The American Heart Association lists these prominent symptoms that should be recognized and treated immediately:

• chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
• shortness of breath with or without discomfort
• other signs that include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Be aware of the signs and symptoms for the safety of you and your loved ones. Now take a look at some common tips from the American Heart Association to reduce the stress on your heart while shoveling snow.

• Don’t eat a heavy meal prior to or soon after shoveling. This puts an extra load on your heart.
• Take frequent breaks during shoveling so that you don’t overstress your heart.
• Use a small shovel or consider a snow blower.
• When possible, simply push the snow instead of lifting it.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.
• Don’t drink alcohol before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol produces a sense of warmth and may cause an underestimation of the strain that the cold is having on your body.
• Consult your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall to assess your risk of heart attack.
• Know the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes the most deaths in hypothermia, so be sure to dress warm.

Utilizing these tips will help you to avoid a heart attack from snow shoveling. Whenever possible, utilize alternate methods for removing snow such as plowing, snow blowing or asking a neighbor to help out. Minimizing the strain on your heart will minimize the risk your heart endures.

Follow Your Heart...

When you need heart care, how do you find the right provider? Throughout the region, physicians and patients alike turn to Franciscan Alliance. From minimally invasive procedures to open heart surgeries, they know Franciscan Alliance brings the best of technology and innovative advances. For the finest in heart care, simply follow your heart.

Listen: Heart Health Tips in a Minute

Franciscan Physicians Hospital has partnered with the American Heart Association to bring you the Heart Health Minute - 60 seconds of information to keep your heart beating in the right direction.

Choose a link below and be sure to tune in each day to WLS 890 AM at the 3 p.m. hour to hear the next Heart Health Minute, and remember, at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, Your Care is Our Passion.

Heart Health Minute: High Blood Pressure
Heart Health Minute: Cholesterol
Heart Health Minute: Dieting
Heart Health Minute: Smoking

Franciscan Physicians Hospital, Franciscan Alliance Recognized for Clinical Excellence

A report released today by HealthGrades, the nation's most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital quality ratings, recognized Franciscan Alliance Hospitals in Northwest Indiana as leaders in Clinical Excellence.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals continue to receive Five-Star ratings for multiple years in Cardiac Care, Orthopedic Services, Pulmonary Services, GI Care and Critical Care in 2012.
HealthGrades' report found that patients treated at 5-star rated hospitals experience a 73% lower risk of mortality and a 63% lower risk of complications compared to 1-star rated hospitals. A quality comparison of doctors and hospitals in Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago market area can be found online at HealthGrades.com or via this link Greater Chicago Area.

"We're pleased that the strenuous efforts of our physicians and employees have been recognized in the context of the latest HealthGrades report," said Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance's Northern Indiana Region. "The results demonstrate superior outcomes in a number of key clinical programs and services. The people of Northwest Indiana have come to expect high-quality clinical outcomes from us. They deserve nothing less."

"Patients today have a wide array options when it comes to choosing a healthcare provider," said Kerry Hicks, HealthGrades' chief executive officer. "At HealthGrades, we are proud to have led the way for empowering patient choice based on objective clinical outcomes and access to actionable quality measures. We commend Franciscan Alliance Hospitals for theirsuperior quality and support of consumerism and transparency in the Northwest Indiana area."

Key findings of the HealthGrades 2011 Healthcare Consumerism and Hospital Quality in America report include:

• Patients had, on average a 73% lower risk of dying in a 5-star rated hospital compared to a 1-star rated hospital, and a 54% lower risk of dying in a 5-star rated hospital compared to the national average.
• Patients had, on average, were 63% less likely to experience inhospital complications than patients at 1-star programs, and had a 43% lower chance of developing an inhospital complication than the national average.
• If all Medicare patients from 2008 through 2010 had been treated at 5-star hospitals, 240,040 lives could have potentially been saved.
• In an online survey, 80% said they are very or somewhat concerned about the quality of hospital care in their community.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to clinical excellence and quality improvement as demonstrated by its outstanding patient outcomes across a variety of service areas including cardiac services, orthopedic services, pulmonary services, GI care and critical care. Earlier this year St. Margaret Health Hammond was also recognized for its top 5% national ranking in Women’s Health for the third consecutive year as being named a Women's Health Excellence Award recipient for the 3rd consecutive year. The Franciscan Alliance hospitals have been recognized by HealthGrades with the following achievements by Service Area:

Additional Information on Franciscan Alliance Hospital Clinical Achievements:

• Franciscan St. Margaret Health–Hammond
  • Cardiac:
    - Ranked #9 in IN for Overall Cardiac Services in 2012
    - Ranked #9 in IN for Cardiology Services in 2012
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Overall Cardiac Services for 4 Years in a Row (2009-2012)
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Cardiology Services for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure for 5 Years in a Row (2008-2012)
  • Orthopedic:
    - Five-Star Rated for Joint Replacement in 2012
    - Five-Star Rated for Total Knee Replacement in 2012
    - Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Treatment in 2012
  • Pulmonary:
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for 4 Years in a Row (2009-2012)
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Pneumonia for 5 Years in a Row (2008-2012)
  • Gastrointestinal:
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for GI Medical Treatment in 2012
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of GI Bleed for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
  • Critical Care:
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Respiratory Failure in 2012

• Franciscan St. Margaret Health–Dyer
  • Cardiac:
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure for 6 Years in a Row (2007-2012)
  • Orthopedics:
    - Ranked #6 in IN for Spine Surgery in 2012
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
    - Five-Star Rated for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
    - Five-Star Rated for Back and Neck Surgery (except Spinal Fusion) for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
  • Gastrointestinal:
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for GI Services in 2012
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of GI Bleed for 3 Years in a Row (2010-2012)

• Franciscan St. Anthony Health–Michigan City
  • Orthopedic:
    - Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Treatment in 2012
  • Critical Care:
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Respiratory Failure for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012) Orthopedics:
    - Ranked #6 in IN for Spine Surgery in 2012
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
    - Five-Star Rated for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
    - Five-Star Rated for Back and Neck Surgery (except Spinal Fusion) for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)
  • Gastrointestinal:
    - Ranked Among the Top 10 in IN for GI Services in 2012
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of GI Bleed for 3 Years in a Row (2010-2012)

• Franciscan Physicians Hospital–Munster
  • Cardiac:
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure for 4 Years in a Row (2009-2012)
  • Pulmonary:
    - Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for 2 Years in a Row (2011-2012)

• Franciscan St. Anthony–Crown Point
  • Orthopedic:
    - Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Treatment for 5 Years in a Row (2008-2012)

About Franciscan Alliance
Mishawka-based Franciscan Alliance, which has 14 hospitals, is a leader in providing faith-based, integrated health care, using the latest technology, innovative procedures and the brightest, most compassionate people to serve patients in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. It offers nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence and more than 18,000 employees, including more than 600 physicians. For more than 135 years, Franciscan Alliance has had a mission to provide care for everyone, 2.9 million outpatients and more than 100,000 inpatients every year, regardless of ability to pay.

About HealthGrades
HealthGrades is America's most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital qualityoutcomes. HealthGrades online properties are the nation's leading destination for physician search andempower more than 170 million consumers annually to make

High Blood Pressure - Educate Yourself

Did you know that about one in every three to four adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and about a quarter of those who have it are unaware that they have it? May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Franciscan Physicians Hospital encourages you to know the facts and arm yourself with helpful information and tips to reduce high blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of other complications.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. High blood pressure, or "hypertension," often has no obvious cause, although many factors can contribute. When you have high blood pressure, your blood vessels are too narrow (constricted) or they may have too much blood volume circulating in them. High blood pressure puts an additional strain on blood vessels throughout your body and increases the workload on the heart.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as two numbers -- for example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg). One or both of these numbers can be too high.

The top number is your systolic pressure.

• It is considered high if it is over 140 most of the time.
• It is considered normal if it is below 120 most of the time.

The bottom number is your diastolic pressure.

• It is considered high if it is over 90 most of the time.
• It is considered normal if it is below 80 most of the time.

Blood Pressure Screening Guidelines

• Current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all adults age 18 years and older have their blood pressure measured.
• People with high blood pressure should be screened for diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all patients with blood readings of 135/80 mm Hg or higher be screened for type 2 diabetes. (The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for patients with blood pressure greater than 140/90.)

Lifestyle Changes and High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes are important for preventing and treating high blood pressure. Healthy changes include maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks a day, reducing salt intake, and increasing potassium intake.

Talk with your doctor. Even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked during your yearly check-up, especially if someone in your family has or had high blood pressure. Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Read more about high blood pressure in our Online Care Guide +

Heart Healthy Eating

Eating heart healthy foods can lead to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, minimized heart disease and an abundance of other benefits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women.

Utilizing the following tips for eating "heart healthy" can help prevent future problems with your cardiovascular system. By looking at your food consumption in categories, you can simplify keeping track of the foods you eat.

Meat, Poulty & Fish: Choose lean cuts of meat with fat trimmed like beef round, sirloin, or chuck; lamb-leg, arm loin and rib; pork tenderloin, leg or shoulder; all types of trimmed veal, except ground; poultry without skin; fish and shellfish.

Work to decrease your consumption of prime grade, fatty cuts of meat, goose, organ meats, sausage, bacon and hot dogs.

Dairy Products: Choose 2 servings a day (3 if pregnant or breast feeding) of skim milk, 1% milk, low-fat buttermilk or low-fat evaporated milk.

Choose low-fat yogurt, low-fat soft cheeses like cottage or farmer

Choose cheeses labeled with no more than 2-6 grams of fat.

Work to decrease your consumption of whole milks, cream, half & half, cream cheese, sour cream, and high-fat cheeses like brie, Swiss, American, mozzarella, feta, cheddar and muenster.

Breads, Cereals, Pasta, Rice, Beans: Choose breads like whole wheat, white, pumpernickel, rye, pitas, bagels, English muffins, sandwich buns, dinner rolls and rice cakes.

Choose low-fat crackers like matzo, bread sticks, rye krisp and saltines.

Choose hot and most cold dry cereals. Check labels for fat and cholesterol content.

For pasta, choose plain noodles, spaghetti and macaroni.

Any grain rice is good, and for dried peas and beans, choose split peas, black-eyed peas, chick peas, kidney beans, navy beans, lentils and soybeans.

Work to decrease your consumption of croissants, butter rolls, sweet rolls, and danish pastries.
Also decrease consumption of snack crackers like cheese crackers, butter crackers or any with saturated fat.

You'll further benefit by decreasing your consumption of granola-type cereals, pasta and rice prepared with cream, butter or cheese sauces and egg noodles.

Fats & Oils: Choose unsaturated vegetable oils, corn, olive, peanut, canola, safflower, sesame and soybean. Also choose margarine or shortening made with unsaturated fats listed above.

Utilize mayonnaise and salad/low-fat dressings made with unsaturated fats.

Decrease your consumption of high-fat frozens, high-fat cakes including pound and frosted, store-bought pies and most candy.

Also work to avoid potato and corn chips prepared with saturated fat, buttered popcorn and high-fat beverages like frappes, milkshakes, floats and eggnog.

Utilize these tips to help lower your risk for heart disease today! For more information on healthy eating habits, visit our A.D.A.M. health content!

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Steps Off Again on Feb. 23

In light of February being designated American Heart Month, "Resistance Band Training for Cardio Health" will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals and Westfield Southlake Mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 23.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Carlos Celis, Franciscan Alliance regional wellness specialist. Celis will offer an interactive demonstration that will show participants how to build strength, tone muscles and maximize cardio workouts by using resistance bands.

Blood pressure screenings will be provided by The Heart Institute at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point. Healthy heart information will be available from Jody Adams, a cardiovascular nurse practitioner at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC, in Munster.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (1-800) 931-3322.

The Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals include Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point; Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City; Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond & Dyer; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.