Tips From the Heart, for the Heart
Shirin Doroudgar, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix who researches cardiovascular biology, says that knowing the symptoms of a heart attack for both men and women can lead to faster treatment that can save your life or prevent serious disability.
In recognition of American Heart Month, our Health Sciences Connect photographers asked the University of Arizona Health Sciences faculty and staff members to share tips for keeping your heart healthy and strong for years to come.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is increasing in working-age adults, and Black adults in the U.S. die from heart disease at a rate two times higher than white adults.
So, show your heart some love and move more, eat healthier, stress less and work with your health care team to manage and reduce your risks of cardiovascular disease.
Michael D. Dake, MD, senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences advises, “Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful actions people who smoke can take to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease.”
Inna Gladysheva, PhD, a research professor of internal medicine at the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, studies mechanisms, diagnostics, treatments and prevention of heart failure. Dr. Gladysheva is a translational scientist researching the nature and drivers of pathological fluid retention that causes heart failure. “It gives the hope that one day we will develop a therapy to prevent heart failure and improve the quality and duration of the patient's life.”
Members of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health’s Nosotros Comprometidos a Su Salud team raise awareness about health conditions in the community. “Practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors and engaging in screening for health conditions are key to a healthy heart,” said David O. Garcia, PhD, FACSM, an associate professor in the college.
Gloria Bloomer, the chief of staff and senior director of communication at the UArizona Health Sciences Center for Innovation in Brain Science said, “I lost my dad to a heart attack when he was 51, so I’ve been conscious of heart health for as long as I can remember. I try to do all I can to maintain a healthy heart including laughing, a lot. Everyday.”
Steven Goldman, MD, is the C. Leonard Pfeiffer Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at the UArizona Sarver Heart Center and a professor of cardiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson. “Pay attention to your blood pressure,” he said, adding, “and don’t smoke cigarettes!”
(From left) Rochelle Marshall, Merryl Lopido, Lydia Pastore and Ashley Zinn from the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center (ASTEC), hold up their heart health tips around a high-tech CPR manikin. The team said, “Here at ASTEC, we want to keep the students a BEAT above the rest in treating heart disease!”
University of Arizona Biorepository’s Michael Badowski, PhD, laboratory director, and Nicole Ingram, lab manager, suggest keeping track of your heart health so problems don’t sneak up on you as you get older.
Madhan Sundaram, MD, a clinical associate professor at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson and member of the Sarver Heart Center, said “Heart month is important to me and should be important to all of us because heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. We all need to be aware of the signs of heart disease so we can take better care of our heart!”
(From left) Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health graduate students Arizpe Ellinwood and Mariko Obregon, health educator Sabrina Plattner, EdD, and graduate student Micaela Gamez. “Heart health is important to me because I have lost family and friends to heart disease,” said Dr. Plattner. “I want to stay heart healthy, so I am around for my daughters as they age and start having families one day.”
UArizona College of Nursing Associate Professor Shu Fen Wung, PhD, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN, said “Heart health is the key to a healthy body and mind.”
Jason Karnes, PharmD, PhD, BCPS, FAHA, an associate professor in the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy and an assistant professor at the Sarver Heart Center said, “My heart is my engine. It keeps me running.”
Elizabeth Juneman, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson and a member of the Sarver Heart Center, said, “Heart month is important to me as a cardiologist, a woman and a mom. I tell all my patients to move their mind, body and spirit every day. Those who stay active mentally and physically, as well as filling their spirit with happiness, have better heart health as well as a longer and better quality of life.”
(From left) College of Nursing faculty and staff members Judith Burrola, clinical placement coordinator for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery specialty, Tarnia Newton, DNP, FNP-C, assistant clinical professor, Lisa Kiser, DNP, CNM, WHNP, assistant clinical professor, and Erin McMahon, EdD, CNM, FACNM, director of the nurse-midwifery specialty, display their heart health tips.
Qin Chen, PhD, the director of pharmacogenomics at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy said, “Heart health is important to me because I have the genetics of cardiovascular disease. Living actively is essential for prevention of cardiovascular disease and for being healthy, happy and productive.”
Jared Churko, PhD, an assistant professor at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson and member of the Sarver Heart Center said, “Your heart beats 100,000 times per day; take care of it!” (From left, back row) Isabella Vazquez and Trysten Mackenzie Palmer are undergraduate assistants in Dr. Churko’s lab.
College of Nursing Professor Ruth Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, said, “Heart health is important to me because cardiovascular disease kills more adults in the U.S. than any other disease, even though 80% of cardiovascular disease can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.”
Staff members in the University of Arizona Health Sciences Office of the Senior Vice President show their heart health tips.