The Record Special Sections Health Quarterly 02-17-2019 | Page 5

NORTHJERSEY.COM ❚ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 ❚ 5
EXERCISE IS MEDICINE
HEALTH QUARTERLY / ADVERTISING SECTION
Valley Health LifeStyles Fitness Center
P
hysical inactivity
is a fast-growing
public health
problem and
contributes to a variety
of chronic diseases and
health complications,
including obesity, dia-
betes, heart disease, and cancer.
In addition to improving an individual’s
overall health, increasing physical activity
has proven effective in the treatment and
prevention of chronic diseases.
Exercise is Medicine®, a global health
initiative managed by the American College
of Sports Medicine, encourages primary
care physicians and other healthcare
providers to include physical activity when
designing treatment plans and to refer
patients to evidence-based exercise pro-
grams and qualified exercise professionals.
“At the Valley Health LifeStyles fitness
center, members can receive an Exercise
Readiness Consultation, comprehensive
Physical Fitness Assessment, and of course
a Personalized Exercise Prescription in a
safe and trusted exercise facility,” said Don
Tomaszewski, director of Medical Fitness
at Valley Health LifeStyles.
Wayne resident Austin Murphy 67,
finds that exercise at LifeStyles helps him
in more ways than one. “Exercise helps
my mental health, as well,” he explained.
“You’ve got to keep your mind and body
active to maintain a good balance and well-
being as you age.”
Research confirms that performing
moderate-intensity physical activity on
a regular basis can help people live longer
and can help reduce health problems at
any age.
“In fact,” says Tomaszewski, “people
who exercise have an easier time keeping
blood pressure and cholesterol levels under
control and maintaining a healthy body
weight.”
Murphy added, “I feel like I have more
pep. I check my blood pressure regu-
larly at home and have noticed that it has
improved since I’ve become a member at
LifeStyles.”
Exercise also strengthens the muscles
and bones, reducing the risk of osteopo-
rosis and everyday injury, and may even
PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY HOSPITAL
Fitness is a Lifestyles routine for Austin
Murphy who exercises his body and mind
at Valley Health Fitness Center.
lower the risk of many diseases, including
diabetes, stroke, heart disease and some
cancers.
Regular physical activity improves sleep,
increases energy, lowers stress levels and
helps maintain independence.
“As we all age, the key to maximizing
the benefits of exercise is to follow a well-
designed program that you can stick with
over the long-term,” Tomaszewski said.
“It is never too late to improve your health
and well-being with a lifestyle of regular
physical activity.”
Valley Health LifeStyles, is a world-class
fitness program designed to help members
maintain the healthy lifestyle that’s right
for them. The LifeStyles fitness center
includes: medical fitness oversight; six-lane
lap pool, warm-water therapy pool and
saunas; sports performance training and
walking/running track; rock climbing wall;
group exercise classes and state-of-the-art
fitness equipment.
Valley Health LifeStyles is located
at 1400 MacArthur Blvd. in Mahwah. For
information about membership, call 201-
389-0839.
Team-directed Care for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
A
trial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common irregular
or abnormal heart rhythm disorder, affecting more
than 3 million Americans. It decreases the heart’s
pumping ability and can make the heart work less
efficiently. In addition, patients must be aware that AFib
can lead to potentially life-threatening problems such as
blood clots and a higher risk of stroke.
At Valley Health System’s Snyder Center for
Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation, patients receive indi-
vidualized care from a multispecialty team in a setting
that emphasizes comprehensive patient evaluation and
follow-up. The team comprises electrophysiologists and
specialists in imaging, cardiology, pulmonology, nutrition,
diabetes education and stress management. Navigators
and coordinators guide patients through the entire care
continuum.
“Our team takes a ‘total patient management approach’
to the treatment of AFib,” said Suneet Mittal, M.D., medical
director, the Snyder Center and director of Electrophy-
siology at The Valley Hospital. “Rather than focusing solely
on ablation techniques as a treatment option, we work with
patients to ensure appropriate use of anticoagulation med-
ication and address other contributing health issues such
as stress, hypertension, sleep apnea and obesity.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY HOSPITAL
Suneet, Mittal, M.D., medical director, The Snyder Center
for Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation (left); and Sean
Wilson, M.D., director, Structural Heart Disease Program,
The Valley Heart and Vascular Institute.
The emphasis is on overall health, not simply treat-
ing AFib. As a result, patients may be seen by any of the
following healthcare professionals:
n Electrophysiologists
n Cardiologists
n Sleep apnea physicians and staff
n Weight-loss physician and staff
n Nutritionist
n Diagnostic Imaging Technicians
n Stress Reduction Specialists
“Managing AFib is a daily responsibility for many
patients, and we will be there with them every step of the
way as partners in their care,” Dr. Mittal said.
To learn more about the services offered at the Snyder
Center, or to make an appointment, call 201-447-8392.
THE WATCHMAN DEVICE:
MINIMIZING THE RISK FOR STROKES
The Watchman™ Device is the first proven non-phar-
macologic alternative to reduce stroke risk for patients
with non-valvular atrial fibrillation without the use of anti-
coagulants.
The device, which is a tiny umbrella-shaped mesh tool,
is implanted in the heart to close off the left atrial append-
age — which is the site where harmful blood clots most
commonly form. The Watchman™ prevents these clots
from entering the bloodstream, traveling to the brain and
causing a stroke, without the bleeding risks that come
with anticoagulant medications. Implanting the device is
a minimally-invasive procedure performed under general
anesthesia and it only requires 24 hours for recovery.