The whos who of heart disease kicked off a statewide Stop Heart Disease Campaign under sunny South Florida skies recently to tell Floridians that the nations number one killer can be prevented.
“Nationwide, its a September 11th tragedy happening every day,” said Dr. Paul Kurlansky, director of research for the Florida Heart Research Institute, which sponsored the event. “Each day, more than 2,600 Americans die from heart disease. More than 65,000 Floridians will die from heart disease this year, and most of those deaths can be prevented.”
Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Miami Beach cardiologist and author of the South Beach Diet, became famous by preaching the gospel of prevention.
“Heart attacks are preventable today with exercise, diet, and certain medications,” he told a crowd gathered at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami, adding that advances in medical imaging technology have made screening and early intervention the best tools for keeping diseased hearts in check.
A 28-year-old Miami man, who has received two heart transplants, gave an emotional speech at the event.
(l to r) Marvin Dorn, received a free screening that saved his life; Dr. Paul Kurlansky, Director of Research of the Florida Heart Research Institute, Dr. Arthur Agatston, Cardiologist and author of the South Beach Diet proudly holding a Stop Heart Disease license plate; and Rey Rodriguez, recipient of two heart transplants.
“I am here today because of heart research,” said Rey Rodriguez, a student who received his first heart transplant just before his 19th birthday after fighting dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlargement of the heart that doesnt allow it to pump enough blood, since age 11. After his body rejected the first heart transplant, he received his second on Christmas Eve in 2001.
“Hopefully, the third one is the charm,” he laughed later. “I feel much better now.”
More than 60 people were screened for heart disease at the event, receiving tests for total blood cholesterol, glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), body mass index, blood pressure tests, and one-on-one counseling. Of those screened, the event found that two-thirds are overweight, almost two-thirds have unacceptable HDL levels, one-third have high total cholesterol, and one-fifth are hypertensive.
No one knows the advantages of screenings more than Marvin Dorn, a 70-year-old life insurance agent from Miramar. Two years ago, a free screening at the Florida Heart Research Institute indicated that he previously had a heart attack.
“I was shocked,” Dorn told the audience. “I told the doctor there must have been a mistake. She assured me that it was my test.”
Dorn remembered having what he thought was indigestion a few months before, which Dr. Maria Canossa-Terris of Florida Heart Research Institute said was probably a heart attack. Within 30 minutes, Dorn was seen by a local cardiologist and was then rushed to the hospital for a cardiac catheterization to determine the extent of the damage. An angioplasty reopened the clogged artery and a stent was inserted to keep it open.
“Who knows what would have happened if I didnt go for that first screening at Florida Heart Research Institute,” he said.
Screenings such as the one held in Miami will help Floridians “know their numbers,” which has become a battle cry in heart disease prevention.
“People are more likely to know the number on their car odometer rather than their blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, and glucose levels,” said Dr. Kurlansky. “If you know your numbers and take appropriate action, you will avoid heart health problems later on.”
