How to Reduce Health Risks by Understanding AFib

(Family Features) Oftentimes, seeking to improve your health starts at your core – your heart. One common condition to be aware of is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

Currently impacting up to 6.1 million Americans, AFib is projected to double by 2030, according to the American Heart Association. One in three individuals is at risk for developing AFib over the course of his or her lifetime, and the likelihood of developing the condition increases by almost 40 percent after the age of 55.

The average person living with AFib has a five-fold increase of experiencing a stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat. However, proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the chances of associated heart health complications, including stroke.

The first step toward managing AFib and preventing serious health complications is gaining knowledge about the condition. The experts at the American Heart Association are working to elevate awareness with these facts:

Causes
While in some cases the cause is unknown, AFib can be the result of damage to the heart's electrical system from other conditions such as longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and heart disease. For example, smokers are 20 percent more likely to develop AFib than nonsmokers.

Symptoms and signs
A person living with AFib may have symptoms like a fluttering heartbeat, but he or she may not have symptoms at all. Nearly 80 percent of people who report having AFib note they did not experience symptoms, which can lead to the condition being overlooked or confused with other conditions, such as anxiety.

“Atrial fibrillation can be challenging to diagnose,” said Dr. Georgeanne Freeman, a board-certified family medicine doctor and American Heart Association volunteer expert. “If you are feeling out of the ordinary, whether it's a racing pulse or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath and fatigue, it’s time to speak with your doctor to learn your risk for AFib and lower your chance for stroke.”

Other common symptoms include dizziness, weakness, faintness or confusion; fatigue when exercising; sweating and chest pain or pressure.

At-risk populations
Anyone, at any age, can develop AFib. People over age 50, those with high blood pressure or other forms of heart disease and those with a family history of the condition are at highest risk and should discuss their medical history with their doctors.

People of African, Asian or Hispanic ancestry are typically less likely to suffer from AFib. However, research suggests that those with African or Hispanic ancestry living with AFib have a higher risk of death when the condition is combined with another factor such as heart failure or high blood pressure.

Risk factors
While some people living with AFib are unaware of the condition due to not experiencing symptoms, it causes the heart to beat erratically, stops blood from moving through the heart efficiently and may result in pooling or clotting. The clot may block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. Risk factors such as age, high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes or medical history contribute to individuals’ five-fold risk of stroke.

Treatment options
Although most primary care providers claim to have general knowledge of AFib, there are still challenges in their abilities to diagnose it. The treatment goals start with a proper diagnosis through an in-depth examination performed by a medical professional, health care provider or cardiologist. The exam usually includes questions about the individual’s medical history and often a test such as an EKG or ECG to determine heart rate, rhythm and other information. If you have AFib, understand your options for medications and discuss with your doctor. Anyone on anticoagulants should carry information and be able to alert medical professionals in an emergency that he or she is on blood thinners.

To learn more and to access AFib tools and resources, visit heart.org/AFib.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Choosing the Right Doctor for You and Your Family

(Family Features) What matters to you when finding a doctor to treat you or your family members?

A recent survey commissioned by the American Board of Medical Specialties found that four out of five people ranked Board Certification as an important factor when selecting a doctor, second only to whether the doctor is covered by their insurance.

Choosing a new doctor is an important decision that nearly everyone experiences at one time or another, whether it’s finding a new family physician or pediatrician after a move or searching for a specialist after being diagnosed with a condition such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

When selecting a physician, you want to know the doctor you choose is qualified and that you and your family will receive the best care. Board Certified doctors hold themselves to a higher standard and have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in their specialty. This higher standard has been found to be important to patients.

“Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make regarding your health,” said Richard E. Hawkins, MD, president and chief executive officer, American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the leading not-for-profit organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. “Today’s patients have a greater expectation for quality. Board Certified physicians offer people confidence that their doctor has the specialized knowledge, skills and clinical judgment to provide the high-quality care they expect and deserve.”

What is Board Certification?
Board Certification is recognized as the premier standard and assessment system for specialty and subspecialty expertise in medical, surgical and hospital disciplines.

• Board Certified doctors are experts in their specialties. Doctors who choose to be Board Certified are required to demonstrate their specialized knowledge in their area of practice.

• Board Certified doctors have met a higher standard. To be Board Certified, doctors successfully complete extensive training and assessment beyond that of their non-Board Certified peers.

• Not all doctors are Board Certified. Board Certification is voluntary, and more than 880,000 doctors in the United States are ABMS Board Certified in 40 specialties and 87 subspecialties.  

• Find out if a doctor is Board Certified. This simple search tool allows you to check if your doctor, or one you are considering, is Board Certified. CertificationMatters.org, a website of ABMS, also features information about how doctors earn Board Certification, its importance to quality care and why the credential matters. Additional resources include links to prominent health care and consumer advocacy organizations.

To find a Board Certified doctor near you, visit CertificationMatters.org.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Nicotine to Help Treat Memory Loss?

(Family Features) A study funded by the National Institutes of Health is testing whether the nicotine patch can improve memory and functioning in people who have mild memory loss or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

The largest and longest running study of its kind, the MIND (Memory Improvement through Nicotine Dosing) Study is looking for 300 volunteers at sites across the United States who have mild memory loss but are otherwise healthy, non-smokers over the age of 55.

“The MIND Study will provide valuable information for researchers with regard to early memory loss that is associated with normal aging and early Alzheimer’s disease, but we need volunteers if we are going to succeed,” said Dr. Paul Newhouse, MD, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine and lead investigator for the MIND Study.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately one in five people age 65 or older have mild memory loss or MCI and are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Currently, there is no FDA-approved medication indicated to treat this condition; however, nicotine stimulates an area in the brain known to be important for thinking and memory, and scientists believe it could be an effective treatment for adults with MCI.

“People often think nicotine is addictive and harmful because it is in tobacco products, but it’s safe when used in patch form,” Newhouse said. “Nicotine is an inexpensive, readily available treatment that could have significant benefits for people experiencing mild memory impairment.”

The MIND Study needs 300 people to enroll in sites across the United States. Researchers are looking for healthy, non-smoking adults over the age of 55 who are in the earliest stages of memory loss to participate in the MIND Study.

You, or a loved one, may be eligible to participate if you have been diagnosed with MCI or if you or your family members notice changes in your memory:

• Are you or a loved one having difficulty remembering recent events?
• Have you noticed changes in your memory or your loved one’s memory?
• Is your memory as good as it was two years ago?
• If you asked someone close to you about your memory, what would he or she say?

Potential study volunteers can learn more by visiting MINDStudy.org or calling 1-866-MIND-150.

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The Rarest of the Rare

What to know about a cancer you may not have heard of

(Family Features) A woman celebrating her 40th birthday, a young boy starting second grade or a college grad about to begin his career. All three could develop a rare form of cancer known as epithelioid sarcoma (ES), a form of soft-tissue sarcoma.

There is little information available about ES. Patients, advocates, doctors and researchers across the United States are aiming to educate people about this ultra-rare cancer and the unmet need for an effective, tumor-specific treatment. Consider these facts about ES:

What are Soft-Tissue Sarcomas and What is Epithelioid Sarcoma?
Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are a type of cancer that occur in tissue like muscle, fat, skin, nerves and blood vessels. There are more than 50 types of STS, including ES, which is a rare form that can occur under the skin in the limbs (such as the arms, hands, legs or feet) or soft tissue in other places like the abdomen. Adults in their 20s and 30s and men, in particular, are more likely to get ES, although it can affect people of all ages and genders, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

How Rare is Rare?

According to the American Cancer Society, a rare cancer is defined as fewer than six new diagnoses per 100,000 people per year.

ES is an ultra-rare cancer. According to available epidemiology and case reports, it is estimated about 600 people are properly diagnosed in the U.S. and Europe each year.

What are the Most Common Types of ES and How Do They Impact Diagnosis?
ES can take two forms:
Distal-type: Classic form, typically affects teenagers and young adults.

• Typically forms under the skin in areas like hands, legs and feet.
• Can be mistaken for another skin condition like an infected wart or a wound that won’t heal, which may delay diagnosis.
• Proximal-type: Rarer form, mainly affects adults and is more aggressive.
• Typically forms in central areas of the body like the abdomen.
• Can be mistaken for menstrual cramps or an upset stomach, making identification and diagnosis more difficult.

Dealing with a Diagnosis?
Due to its rarity, harmless appearance in its initial stages and occurrence in young people, ES is often misdiagnosed, according to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. For this reason, the Sarcoma Foundation of America recommends checking often for lumps and bumps in places they shouldn’t be.

For people faced with a sarcoma diagnosis, it’s important to get a second opinion from a sarcoma specialist. These specialists have extensive knowledge of STS and can determine what form of sarcoma one may have, what stage it is and the best course of treatment. The specialist may confirm the diagnosis with a physical examination, a scan or a tissue sample (biopsy) of the area.

It’s common to feel a range of emotions after a diagnosis of ES, according to Clear View Health Partners, including:

• Fear
• Denial
• Frustration
• Anxiety
• Hope that treatment will be successful
• Determination to beat ES

What Treatment Options are Available?
Treatment options depend on a variety of factors, including the location of the tumor, tumor staging and whether the disease has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body.

For patients with early stage ES, many elect to have surgery to remove the tumor, which may precede or be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy treatment, according to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. If the cancer returns or spreads, a patient may undergo radiation therapy and chemotherapy. New treatment options are being studied through clinical research, which is why seeking a specialist in the field is important if one is faced with a diagnosis.

As with many cancers, early detection is important and can increase survival or successful treatment. Typically, the distal form of ES is associated with more favorable survival rates than the proximal form.

4 Things to Do to Address ES Today

1. Don’t ignore your bumps and lumps, see a doctor as soon as possible.

• curesarcoma.org/patient-resources/sarcoma-infographic/  

2. Learn more about epithelioid sarcoma and its symptoms.

• mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epithelioid-sarcoma/cdc-20392420

3. Seek a second opinion.

• sarctrials.org/sarc-centers-map

4. Find support if you’re faced with a diagnosis.

• sarcomaalliance.org/resources/support-groups
• cancersupportcommunity.org
• cancercare.org/counseling

An ES Diagnosis Journey

In the spring of 2008, Maria Voermans’ 4-year-old daughter requested an “airplane ride,” and as Voermans lifted the young girl up with her legs, she had to make an “emergency landing” because of some sudden and significant pain in her upper right thigh.

After a few months, the pain persisted. Voermans continued to jog and play sand volleyball, thinking nothing of it. At the recommendation of her primary care physician, she took some anti-inflammatories and tried to rest, which wasn’t easy to do as a single mother of two young children.

Two more months went by and her leg caused increasing problems. She could feel something in her leg, but never considered it a “lump” because it was not visible on the outside. Voermans took matters into her own hands and visited a sports medicine orthopedic specialist for further testing.

An MRI found a mass in her right leg and she was referred to one of the few musculoskeletal oncologists in Wisconsin, her home state. He ordered a biopsy, which on Voermans’ youngest daughter’s third birthday confirmed her worst fear: it was a rare form of cancer called proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma, and it was stage three. Her biggest concern was not living to experience future holidays, birthdays, graduations and other life milestones with her daughters.

Voermans underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy and had surgery to remove the tumor. As of July 2018, Voermans reports the cancer has not returned.

Today, she’s a wellness coordinator supporting other people diagnosed with cancer who are undergoing treatment or post-treatment. She’s able to use her own cancer journey to provide empathy to others, and it’s brought satisfaction to the whole experience.

Content courtesy of Epizyme, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Doctor talking to man)