The Record Special Sections Health Quarterly 02-17-2019 | Page 8

8 ❚ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 ❚ THE RECORD
HEALTH QUARTERLY / ADVERTISING SECTION
ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM
Straight Talk: Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?
M
any
people
across the
country
take heart health
for granted. Colleen
Coughlin, MD, FACC,
cardiologist for
Atlantic Medical
Group, and a lead-
ing specialist at
Morristown Medical Dr. Colleen Coughlin
Center’s Gagnon
Cardiovascular Institute, thinks it’s time
for some straight talk about cardiac health.
“We’re seeing more and more patients
with prediabetes, high cholesterol, hor-
monal disturbances, elevated blood pres-
sure and excessive waist circumference,”
says Dr. Coughlin. “This is not a good
sign. If you -– or someone you know -– is in
one of these higher-risk groups, talk with
your primary care physician about screen-
ing options.”
Dr. Coughlin offers a simple test any-
one can conduct at home. Grab a tape mea-
sure and wrap it around your waist at the
belly button. If your waist measures above
35 inches for women or 40 inches for men,
sure is elevated, your
primary care physician
will help you determine
the best plan of action.
“I would rather
see people in our
community focus on
optimal heart health
at a younger age,” says
Dr. Coughlin. “Eating
healthier foods and
exercising regularly will
reduce your risk from
a cardiovascular stand-
point.” If you smoke
or have a family history
of heart disease, being
proactive with preven-
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES tive measures can have
Elevated blood pressure may be an indicator of heart disease. a big impact in your
long-term health. A CT
coronary calcification score, a simple, in-
you are likely in a higher-risk category
expensive test, can identify individual risk.
for metabolic syndrome and consequently,
February is Heart Health Month, so
heart disease.
For starters, have your blood tested for
there’s no time like the present to call your
doctor to schedule an appointment to
cholesterol. If you pass with flying colors,
keep doing what you’re doing, and have
discuss your heart health. For more infor-
mation, call 973-971-8900 or visit atlantic-
it repeated every five years. If your waist
health.org/gagnon.
circumference, blood sugar or blood pres-
Coronary
Artery
Calcium Scans
A
calcium scan detects calcifications
in the coronary arteries, which can be
an early sign of coronary heart dis-
ease. This fast and simple test is performed
on a CT scanner and does not require blood
draws or IV contrast.
All scans are interpreted by a special-
ist in cardiac imaging affiliated with the
Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute. The cost
of the scan is $99.
To schedule this test at one of the
Atlantic Health System Radiology sites, call:
Morristown Medical Center, 973-971-
7750
Newton Medical Center, 973-940-8730
Overlook Medical Center, 908-522-
2065
Morristown Medical Center Health
Pavilion, at Rockaway, 973-971-7750
Chilton Medical Center, 973-831-5089
AHS Trains High School Athletic Trainers in Cardiac Care
A
PHOTO COURTESY OF ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM
Participating in the presentation of AED devices are (l-r) Stephanie Schwartz, president, Chilton Medical Center; Nicholas Burner,
ATC Pequannock HS; Scott Leiter, ATC Kinnelon HS; Vincent McInerney, MD and Damion Martins, MD, Atlantic Health System.
tlantic Health System recently
educated local high school athletic
trainers to be better equipped
to save the lives of their student-
athletes should a cardiac event take place
under their supervision.
As part of Atlantic Sports Health
and Chilton Medical Center’s initiative
to support the Sports Cardiology Program
at Atlantic Health System, Stephanie
Schwartz, president, Chilton Medical
Center; Vincent McInerney, MD (the team
physician of these schools) and Damion
Martins, MD, gifted AEDs (Automated
External Defibrillator) to Scott Leiter
the athletic trainer of Kinnelon High School
and Nick Burner of Pequannock High
School.
There was a total of 40 athletic
trainers in attendance at the presentation,
including athletic trainers from Chatham,
Livingston, Delbarton, Glen Ridge, Gill St.
Bernard’s, Blair Academy, Mahwah, North
Brunswick, and Parsippany Troy Hills high
schools, just to name a few.
To learn more about Atlantic Health
System’s Sports Cardiology Program, visit
www.atlantichealth.org/sportscardio.