Page 6 - Healthcare News Jan/Feb 2023

OPINION
ecoming consistent with your workout routine can be a challenge, but when you’re seeing no significant results, it can be even more frustrating. Whether you’re experienced with working out or you’re new to exercise as part of a new
New Advances in Cardiac Surgery Improve Patients’ Quality of Life
aystate Health is providing new advancements to heart patients that are improving the quality of their lives.
I have been seeing ‘sicker’ hearts since the pandemic started, possibly be- cause people have delayed or had limited access to healthcare. Some hearts are a challenge to operate on. But with the advancements, we have more devices and newer techniques to help people successfully get through their operations. And here at Baystate Health, we are at the forefront of these advancements with renowned experts widely viewed as leaders in the field, especially when it comes to bypass surgery and enhanced recovery after open-heart surgery.
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to arrhythmias. We’re taking care of
as many sick hearts as we can while making great advancements to provide for patients who previously may not have been able to successfully undergo open-heart surgery.”
There has been a strong focus on enhanced recovery for patients. Surgery patients are up and moving within a day and are going home much sooner, greatly decreasing their recovery time and allowing patients to get back to their everyday lives.
We’re doing so many minimally invasive procedures that don’t require cut- ting through the chest any longer to fix tight or leaking heart valves. We’re also providing artificial heart pumps to patients with heart failure and seeing great results, keeping them out of the hospital and home, enjoying time with their families and friends. It’s all about improving our patients’ health and quality of life after surgery.
Strides are being made in all aspects of heart surgery, from bypass to dys- functional valves to heart failure to arrhythmias. We’re taking care of as many sick hearts as we can while making great advancements to provide for patients who previously may not have been able to successfully undergo open-heart surgery. We’re very proud of the progress we’ve made.
February is American Heart Month, a time to shine a spotlight on heart disease, the number-one killer of Americans, when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health and address their risk factors for the disease. -
Dr. Siavash Saadat is a cardiac surgeon at Baystate Health.
Why You Aren’t Seeing Results from
YBour Workout By FITNESS VOLT
By DR. SIAVISH SADAAT
year’s resolution, it’s helpful to know what will hinder your results to keep you on the right path.
Experts at Fitness Volt — a comprehensive online resource dedicated to strength sports — have highlighted six reasons why you might not be seeing results, plus tips to fix them.
Neglecting sleep. Never underestimate the importance of sleep. If you’re not getting enough shuteye at night, you’ll lack energy for your workouts and therefore won’t reach your full potential when it comes to your performance. On top of this, muscles release amino acids that build protein into the bloodstream during sleep, which allows them to grow and recover, meaning you can get back to exercising sooner. Aim for around seven to nine hours of sleep each night, even if it means going to bed earlier than usual.
Not warming up. Warmups are often overlooked, despite them being a crucial element of a workout. Without warming up, you won’t have your maximum capabilities, and
you won’t be fully prepared for exercises as your muscles won’t be activated. Warmups will vary depending on your specific workout, but in general, you need to get your blood flowing into your body by some simple steps like jogging. In addition, perform a mobil- ity routine to help with your joints that will be most used in your workout, such as arm and shoulder circles if you are training upper body. If you’re specifically focusing on weightlifting, you can warm up by practicing the exercise with no weight; doing so will help with your form, too.
Skipping food before a workout. Skipping a meal before your workout may sound practical if you’re heading for an early-morning session as soon as you wake up, but it’s vital that you eat beforehand to give your body energy. Carbohydrates in particular will give your body the fuel it needs, so opt for foods such as whole-grain cereals or whole- wheat toast with some fruit. However, stick to a small portion size so that you don’t feel sluggish for your workout.
Not consuming enough protein. Protein is an essential nutrient in your diet, whether you wish to build muscle or lose weight. If weight loss is your goal, protein supports a healthy metabolism and reduces your appetite, while it helps to build muscle by helping to repair and maintain muscle tissue. It’s recommended to consume around 1 gram of protein per pound of your body weight for optimal results, so consider adding foods like chicken, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and walnuts, which are all high in protein, to your diet. If you struggle to reach your suggested intake, consider protein shakes, which you can even have on the go if you have a hectic schedule.
Not pushing yourself hard enough. It may be easy to get comfortable with the same workout routine, but this habit can only lead to losing your determination by getting bored. As your body gets used to the workout, you’ll build strength and resilience and will eventually have the ability to push yourself to the next level. For example, you will find that you will soon be able to run for a longer amount of time on the treadmill or will be able to lift heavier weights if you stay consistent with your workout. Pushing yourself to the next level avoids a plateau and keeps your muscles challenged to continue building strength.
Not letting your body rest. You may assume that the more days you spend in the gym, the better your results will be, but if you’re not leaving any time to rest, this can slow
the process down. Over-exercising leads your body to exhaustion, thus affecting your performance when working out and preventing you from building strength. Not to men- tion, letting your body recover avoids injuries which would only cause lack of exercise in the long run. Three rest days a week is generally the recommended amount, although if you are partaking in particularly intense exercise or new to working out, you may need to take more, depending on how your body responds. -
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We are working on so many advancements in cardiac surgery. We’re repairing and replacing valves using minimally invasive techniques that are offering new, innovative ways to deal with complex heart issues.
Strides are being made in all aspects of heart surgery, from bypass to
dysfunctional valves to heart failure
6 WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023