Sherman Health to Host Annual Heart and Diabetes Fair

In honor of American Heart Month, Sherman Health will host its annual Heart and Diabetes Fair from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, February 4, at Sherman Hospital, 1425 N Randall Road.

Heart health and diabetes information will be provided by representatives from the American Heart Association and a variety of Sherman Health departments, including Cardiac Rehabilitation, Radiology, Education and Community Wellness, Heart Failure Recovery Center, Cardiac Cath Lab, Non-Invasive Cardiology, Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Diabetes Center and more.  The fair will also feature:

• A presentation on the link between heart disease, heart failure and diabetes at 9:30 a.m. by Dr. Azmey Matarieh, cardiologist
• Free blood pressure screenings
• Free cholesterol screenings for the first 100 attendees ($10 after). Fasting required.
• Free sweatshirt blanket for the first 100 attendees
• Nutritious snacks and other giveaway items

Ask the Cardiologist: On the Celtics’ Jeff Green and Aortic Aneurysms

Dr. Maciej Malinski is on the medical staff at Sherman Hospital. He has been kind enough to answer some frequently asked questions related to maintaining a healthy heart in his Ask the Cardiologist series. To see all posts Dr. Malinski has written, just type “Ask the Cardiologist” into the search bar on the right.

Surprising study: Not enough sodium leads to increased heart risk

Information for this post was obtained from a New York Times article.

Patients have long been advised to have a low sodium intake, especially those with heart disease. It’s undeniably true that too much sodium is bad for heart health. However, a new study in the Journal of American Medicine reveals that low sodium intake can also be detrimental to heart health.

The Heart-Healthy Power of Strawberries

Information in this post was taken from an article on healthline.com.

If you try to eat fruits and vegetables consistently, you’re already well aware of strawberries and a lot of their benefits. On top of having a characteristic scent, color, and a wonderfully sweet and tart taste, they’re filled with wonderful antioxidants. In case you need a refresher, antioxidants help to protect our cells against heart disease and cancer. But what you may not know is just how powerful strawberries can be.

From Healthline:

In a fascinating study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, 20 obese test subjects were given either dried strawberry powder equivalent to about 2 cups of whole strawberries or a strawberry flavored product that contained no fruit at all. Everything else in the diet, including calories and fat, was kept the same for both groups. After just three weeks on the strawberry supplement, total cholesterol levels dropped, good cholesterol (HDL) numbers rose, and the size of the bad cholesterol (LDL) particles enlarged, rendering it less harmful.

Other great antioxidant sources include oranges, cherries, spinach, and broccoli. Replace empty carbohydrates or unnecessary desserts with these options, and your heart will thank you in the long run.