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Good Heart Health Requires Teamwork With Your Doctor

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., affecting more than 800,000 Americans every year. But despite this, they’re often a “silent killer,” and by the time you feel symptoms, it may already be too late. But what exactly is a…
Pop Quiz! Test Your Ticker Knowledge on Heart Disease Risks

A popular proverb goes, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The proverb is speaking metaphorically about one’s spiritual heart, but when it comes to your literal, physical heart, it’s still pretty good advice. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., according to the…
Breaking Ground for a Brighter Future

Polk State’s Simulation Hospital to Build Healthcare Workforce Pipeline by REBEKAH PIERCE November 21 marked a historic milestone for Polk State College as community leaders, officials, and educators gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the College’s newest location—the Haines City-Davenport campus. This 75,000-square-foot facility will house, among other things, Central Florida’s first public higher education…

Smoking Hurts More Than Your Lungs

I cannot really believe that the holidays are upon us already. This year has been like no other with its usual mix of pain and pleasure. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the role of lifestyle in the management of vascular disease that can lend a sense of control in its otherwise…
What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD?

by NADER MOINFAR, M.D., M.P.H. Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In general, AMD is a disease that progresses in stages. Patients with advanced AMD experience vision loss from either excess ﬂuid and blood (wet AMD) or the death of cells (GA). It is estimated that 1.5 million…
Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a “weakening” or “dilatation” in a part of an artery. An estimated 15,000 people die of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) every year in the US. About 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed every year. Most of these are diagnosed by tests that are done for unrelated reasons. The aorta is…