Health
Maimonides makes the list
Report names local medical center
among country’s 10 best hospitals
The federal government recently
recognized Maimonides Medical
Center’s outstanding work in saving
Brooklynites’ lives — ranking it
one of the top 10 health systems in the
country for superior survival rates.
Kenneth D. Gibbs, president and
chief executive offi cer at the hospital,
on Jan. 16 announced that Maimonides
had received the honor — placing it
among the nation’s best hospitals, including
Massachusetts General, the
Cleveland Clinic, Cedars Sinai, and
New York-Presbyterian.
“From the very fi rst year that the
federal government has measured
mortality rates, Maimonides has been
a top performer,” said Gibbs. “At fi rst
there were only two cardiac conditions
evaluated — heart attack and
heart failure. So it seemed natural
that a renowned heart hospital like
Maimonides would do well. But as additional
diagnoses were added to the
mix — like pneumonia and stroke —
our medical center has continued to
Fruits, veggies may lower risk of artery disease
Caribbean L 38 ife, Feb. 1–7, 2019
achieve outstanding results for Brooklyn’s
families across multiple specialty
areas.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services annually compare mortality
rates at every hospital in the
nation. The most recent report shows
that only a handful of hospitals nationwide
rise above the rest in maintaining
better-than-expected results for
their patients. There are seven diagnoses
reviewed for mortality. Maimonides
is above average in two categories
— and signifi cantly above average
in the other fi ve: heart attack, heart
failure, pneumonia, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, and stroke.
“It’s a validation of the many teams
who work day and night to deliver outstanding
care to patients at Maimonides,”
said Dr. Samuel Kopel, medical
director of Maimonides Medical Center.
“Our doctors and clinicians never
stop building on their successes—they
continually try to exceed the standard
of care to bring the best possible results
Maimonides Medical Center ranked signifi cantly above average in fi ve of the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services’ seven categories for superior-survival rates.
to every patient.”
Maimonides Medical Center has a
long history of providing exceptional
patient care through a culture of teamwork
in its interdisciplinary Centers
of Excellence and its commitment to
continuous innovation.
For more information about the
clinical services and many innovations
achieved at Maimonides Medical Center,
visit www.maimonidesmed.org/
about-us/quality-safety.
Pain in the lower extremities
may be indicative of a condition
called peripheral artery
disease. The National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute says it occurs
when plaque builds up in the arteries
that carry blood to the limbs,
head, and organs, contributing to
atherosclerosis, or a hardening of
the arteries. Blocked blood flow
and eventual limited oxygen supply
to these areas can cause pain and
numbness. When severe enough,
peripheral artery disease may lead
to tissue death.
Discomfort due to the disease
usually occurs when a person is
walking or exercising, because the
muscles are not getting enough
blood during these activities to
meet their needs, says the American
Heart Association. Those with
diabetes may confuse pain with
neuropathy, and the elderly may
think pain from peripheral artery
disease is a normal sign of aging
and stiffness.
When undiagnosed, it can lead
to further complications, including
increased risk for heart attack,
stroke, and coronary artery disease.
Even amputation of a limb
may be necessary. However, the disease
is preventable when taking a
few steps to improve diet.
According to new research published
by the American Heart Association,
eating more fruits and
vegetables may reduce the risk of
developing peripheral artery disease,
which affects an estimated 8.5
million people in the United States
alone. Researchers examined dietary
data from roughly 3.7 million
men and women, with an average
age of 65. Approximately 6.3 percent
of the subjects had peripheral
artery disease, and 29.2 percent indicated
they ate three or more servings
of fruits and vegetables each
day. The discovery was those who
reported eating three or more daily
servings of fruits and vegetables
had an 18 percent lower risk of peripheral
artery disease than those
who reported eating less of these
foods. The association between
fruit and vegetable consumption
and lower risk remained even after
accounting for age, gender, race,
smoking status, and various cardiovascular
risk factors.
Saturated fats, trans-fats, and
sodium can contribute to the formation
of plaques that lead to peripheral
artery disease. Replacing
these foods with more vegetables
and fruits that are naturally lower
in saturated fats can help, as can
increasing dietary fiber consumption.
One way to incorporate these
types of foods is to adhere to a Mediterranean
diet, which offers high
proportions of legumes, fruits, and
vegetables; moderate amounts of
fish and dairy; and limited meat
and meat products.
Peripheral artery disease can
be a warning sign of cardiovascular
trouble. Altering one’s diet may
help naturally prevent or treat this
condition.
Eating more fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of developing peripheral artery disease.
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