Page 31 - Southern Exposure - October '24

Southern Exposure, Page 31

medICal matters from page 30
Understanding Chest Pain:

A Cardiologist’s Perspective

Angina or chest pain can doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood. It is often accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the underlying
occur due to cardiac and described as a pressure, squeezing, or burning sensation in cause and initiating appropriate treatment.
noncardiac causes. Often, the chest and can be triggered by physical exertion or stress. “Chest pain is a symptom that demands attention and
chest pain is a symptom Another cardiac cause of chest pain can be a myocardial a thorough evaluation. If you experience chest pain, don’t
that causes individuals to infarction also known as a heart attack. A heart attack hesitate to seek medical care and if it’s severe call 911,”
seek medical attention, occurs when there is a sudden blockage of blood flow to a says Dr. Waldo.
and rightfully so. Dr. Oral part of the heart muscle. Chest pain during a heart attack is Cardiologists use various diagnostic tools to evaluate
Waldo, a cardiologist with typically more severe and prolonged than angina and may chest pain, including electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).
Cardiovascular Care – Palm be accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, This test records the heart’s electrical activity and can help
Beach Health Network and lightheadedness. identify abnormalities indicative of heart problems. Blood
Physician Group and on- Non-cardiac causes of chest pain can include tests can include enzymes released into the blood during
staff at Good Samaritan gastrointestinal issues due to conditions such as acid reflux, a heart attack, such as troponin, can be detected through
Medical Center and Palm gastritis, or peptic ulcers that cause chest pain. The pain may blood tests. Imaging studies or tests like echocardiograms,
Beach Gardens Medical Dr. Oral Waldo be burning or sharp and might be exacerbated by certain stress tests, and coronary angiography can provide detailed
Center, aims to shed light foods or lying down. Musculoskeletal problems can also images of the heart and blood vessels, aiding in the diagnosis
on the various aspects of chest pain. Dr. Waldo emphasizes cause chest pain due to strained muscles or inflammation in of cardiac conditions.
the importance of prompt evaluation and the importance of the chest wall that can lead to chest pain. Repetitive motion Preventing cardiac chest pain involves adopting a heart-
identifying potential underlying cardiac issues. While chest injuries, muscle strains, or conditions like costochondritis healthy lifestyle. Engage in regular exercise, eat a diet rich in
pain can be caused by a variety of factors, it is crucial to can also mimic cardiac chest pain. Additional causes of chest fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support
recognize when it might be indicative of a cardiovascular pain can be respiratory conditions, pneumonia, pleurisy, or heart health and help control risk factors such as high blood
problem. inflammation of the lining around the lungs. Individuals pressure and cholesterol. Quitting smoking is also one of the
“Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for which with asthma may also experience chest tightness and most significant steps one can take to improve heart health.
adults seek the care of a cardiologist. Chest pain can present discomfort. To learn more about cardiology care and Dr. Oral Waldo,
from a cardiac or noncardiac origin,” says Dr. Oral Waldo. Any chest pain should prompt a visit to a healthcare cardiologist, visit – pbhnphysiciangroup.com. For more
Cardiac causes of chest pain include angina or chest pain professional, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Waldo
resulting in discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle or associated with other concerning symptoms. Quick and call his office at (561) 407-0611.

American Academy Of Pediatrics Guidelines Call For

Childhood Obesity Treatment For Disease Prevention

Children diagnosed with obesity should be treated American Academy of Pediatrics. It is the first time in 15 it can lead to short-term
early and aggressively with nutritional support, therapy, years the academy has updated its guidance. and long-term health issues,
medication, and in some extreme cases, weight-loss surgery More than 14 million kids live with this common, chronic including cardiovascular
for teens 13 and up, according to new guidelines from the disease, the academy says, adding that if obesity is untreated, disease and type 2 diabetes.
Heart disease is the
number one killer among
men and women, which helps
explain why the academy
updated its advice. In addition
to heart disease, heart
attack, stroke, heart failure,
arrhythmia, and heart valve
problems are all associated
with cardiovascular disease. Dr. Abraham Betancourt
While it may seem
extreme to some to encourage weight-loss surgery on a
child as young as 13, the old method of “watchful-waiting,”
taking a “wait-and-see” approach, was not working. Early
intervention helps lead to a healthier heart throughout that
child’s life.
Good Samaritan Medical Center robotic and bariatric
surgeon Dr. Abraham Betancourt stated that the updated
guidance is long overdue. However, before deciding on
surgery, he said patients and their parents need to fully
understand the procedure.
“You have to be very cautious,” said Dr. Betancourt. “It is
not about chronological age. It is about, I would say, ‘How
mature is the patient?’ because if you are going to undergo
and put a patient through surgery, and you want to have the
best outcome of the surgery, you have to be sure that the
patient understands what the challenges are ahead.”
Dr. Abraham Betancourt is a gastrointestinal and bariatric
surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience in practicing
patient-centered medicine. His practice has focused on
people who sometimes feel most vulnerable in the healthcare
world, including patients facing chronic morbid obesity.
Dr. Abraham Betancourt is a bariatric and general surgeon
with the Palm Beach Digital Surgery Institute, a general
surgery and robotic surgery practice focused on providing
minimally invasive treatment options and care for patients
suffering from colorectal disease, endometriosis, hernia, and
life-threatening obesity. Dr. Betancourt is on staff at Good
Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
In addition, Dr. Betancourt is fluent in Spanish, his native
language, and English.
Palm Beach Digital Surgery Institute is located in
the Victor Farris Building adjacent to Good Samaritan
Medical Center at 1411 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 8900,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401. For more information visit
palmbeachdigitalsurgeryinstitute.com or call (561) 227-9238.
Find information on bariatric surgery at Good Samaritan
Medical Center by visiting goodsamaritanmc.com/services/
bariatric-surgery or call (866)-306-2225.