As we come to the end of Heart Month at Montefiore, it’s a great time to take one more look at the rewards of heart-healthy behaviors. Heart disease takes more lives in the United States each year than all cancers combined. “Though undeniably a public health issue, it is also preventable for most people through lifestyle changes,” says Mario Garcia, MD, FACC, Chief, Cardiology, and Co-Director, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care.

Three main factors, not including age and family history, can increase your risk for heart disease, and about half of all Americans experience at least one of these: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. The good news is that just a few lifestyle changes can reduce your risk. Start with a low-fat, well-balanced diet, work toward 150 minutes of exercise per week (taking the stairs and walking more counts), practice stress management and avoid smoking.

Heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease, encompasses a range of conditions. The most common are heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), heart valve problems and heart failure, which occurs when your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently. Though we usually think of chest discomfort and pain signifying heart trouble, each type of heart disease has its own set of symptoms. The most common are chest pain, tightness and discomfort, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Advances in technology, research and diagnosis of heart disease make treatment easier and more accessible than ever before. If you are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to be seen by a highly skilled physician for an accurate diagnosis and the most advanced treatment. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/lohud-heart-health

Dr. Hsu, second from left, and party guests

The Pediatric Heart Center at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) hosted a party during American Heart Month to celebrate our children with “special hearts.” The event was co-sponsored by Harboring Hearts, an organization that provides financial assistance, hope and comfort to patients undergoing or waiting for a heart transplant or critical cardiothoracic surgery. The theme, My Incredible Heart, brought together families, clinicians and staff. The Pediatric Heart Transplantation program, begun in 2007, is run by Daphne Hsu, MD, Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiology, and Co-Director, Pediatric Heart Center, CHAM; Giles Peek, MD, Chief, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Co-Director, Pediatric Heart Center; Jacqueline Lamour, MD, Director, Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Therapies, CHAM; and Neha Bansal, MD, Attending, Pediatric Cardiology, CHAM. This multidisciplinary program cares for more than 60 heart transplant patients.

From left, Katie R. Forman, DO, Attending Physician, Neonatology, CHAM; Deborah E. Campbell, MD, Chief, Neonatology, CHAM; Emylou Rodriguez; Joel Rodriguez

Montefiore's inaugural Primary Pediatric Palliative Care Conference was presented jointly by our Pediatric Division of Neonatology and Quality of Life Team on January 23 and 24. The event fulfilled its mission to provide practical guidance to a variety of providers and caregivers about the continuum of pediatric palliative care from birth through the transition to adult care.

Participating physicians, nurses, NPs, PAs, trainees, therapists, social workers, hospital teachers, chaplains and parents of critically ill children focused together on how to leverage their current resources to provide holistic care, pain management and support for critically ill and dying children and their parents.