IMPULSE: The Winter 2014 publication, a service of ICE

impulse WINTER 2014 /// THIS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION IS A SERVICE OF

Life is good!

Patients we’ve helped share their heartfelt stories.

contents FEATURING

6:

Life is good!

Hear from the ones who know us best—current and former patients who we’ve been able to help including Diana Oliver and her husband (pictured left with Dr. Qamar).

12 :

Going to the dogs A ground’s eye view of Ice Walk 2014!

DEPARTMENTS

3 : from the heart

A personal message from Dr. Asad Qamar

4 : new faces

ICE is very happy to welcome new team member, Dr. Ali

6 : department spotlight

The friendly faces of our front office are one more benefit that ICE patients depend on every day.

15 : the beat

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New technologies and procedures give us fresh perspectives on the state of our health.

innovation. compassion. excellence.

from the heart

Inspiration for us all.

Friends, The December issue of IMPULSE is always one of my favorites of the year.

Inside this year’s, we’ll celebrate what the holidays mean to us all by showcasing one of our annual community benefits—ICE WALK, 2014. Plus, we’ll hear from some of our patients as they share personal, inspiring stories of triumph over demanding medical circumstances. The medical world is full of interesting facts and figures and as always we are including a few of those inside as well. We hope you’ll find them interesting and maybe even a little helpful.

This year’s ICE WALK, 2014 was a resounding success. Thank you to all who laced up their walking shoes and came out to join us! It was our third and most successful ICE WALK with more fun and participating vendors than ever before. We had quite a turnout of walkers and some even brought along their four-footed BFFs to join in the festivities. What better way to do something good for your heart than to share that experience with a tail-wagging best friend?

We donated proceeds from this year’s ICE WALK to our friends at the Marion County Humane Society and South Lake Animal League.

Speaking of friends, we asked several of ours to share some of their experiences with us about difficulties they faced and how they were able to overcome them with a little medical intervention and a lot of faith. Read their stories and I’m betting you’ll be inspired. A few of you who are going through similar circumstances may even find a few well-deserved rays of hope in their words.

Our goal at the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence has always been to help as many people as we can by spreading messages of good health. We provide treatment where we can to those who are in need. And we never miss a chance to make someone’s day a little brighter by opening our hearts and sharing a little of ourselves whenever and wherever we can. I am proud of the men and women who lend their skills and their hearts every day to helping our Institute achieve those goals. I am humbled by your service and I thank you all.

“We never miss a chance to make someone’s day a little brighter by opening our hearts and sharing a little of ourselves whenever and wherever we can.”

Asad U. Qamar, MD FACC, FCCP, FSGC, FACP, FSCAI Cardiologist

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new faces

meet the new members of the team

Dr. Ali, M.D. Abbas was an impressionable twelve-year-old when his grandfather had a heart attack. Several years later, he’d channeled that experience into admission to medical school at the prestigious Gandhi Medical School in India where he consistently earned top honors in every class.

Post-graduate work followed—Internship, Residency and Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit—where he developed his own personal treatment style of compassionate and focused patient care. Extensive time practicing both in Michigan and Florida has been capped by Dr. Ali’s joining the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence where he balances an impressive schedule with an active interest in research. He’s published in numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented upwards of thirty abstracts. “I always wanted to be an engineer and so I have a MS in clinical research design and statistics from the University of Michigan.”

“If you don’t take the time to listen to find out what’s wrong, you’re going to miss things….”

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innovation. compassion. excellence.

department spotlight

Front office The first and last face a patient sees when they visit the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence is most likely with the Front Office staff. And don’t think Michelle Stopher takes that responsibility lightly.

“Dr. Qamar wants all of our patients to know that they are the focus of our attention and that we truly care about them.” In that regard, the Front Office Concierge plays a vital role.

Patients are greeted at the door by the Concierge and directed to the appropriate window for check-in. “They may have an appointment, need medical records or just be in to check on

a prescription.” After a patient’s appointment to see Dr. Qamar or another member of the Institute is over, Front Office staff are there to be sure that checking out goes as smoothly as checking in.

“They may need to connect with a patient educator or proceed with our check-out staff. If there are any billing questions or financial arrangements that need to be addressed, we bend over backwards to see that our patients leave happy. If further appointments need to be made, we schedule them with their calendar in mind and their location.

Sometimes one of our

other offices may be more convenient and so we schedule their appointment there.” The Front Office Staff even maintains a connection with patients outside the office with a 24hour Patient Liaison. Yes, a live person not a message center. Patients with any problems, questions, awaiting test results will be able to get answers any time of day. “Patient satisfaction is first and foremost with Dr. Qamar and we are all a part of that mission in the front office.”

“From the moment our patients walk in the door to when they leave, they are the focus of our attention.”

— Michelle Stopher

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Lf is good!

Heartfelt stories from people we’ve helped.

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innovation. compassion. excellence.

Diana Oliver with Dr. Qamar.

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Diana Oliver with her husband, Ralph, of 47 years.

DianaOLIVER Kenansville

“Some time ago, I started having heart problems and I went to a cardiologist in another county. It was determined at that time I needed a pacemaker, so they put one in. That’s when things really started to go wrong with me.

“I knew something had to be wrong because I kept passing out. I had to quit my job because I couldn’t drive a car to get to work.

We kept going back to that doctor and he said it

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was all in my head; that I wasn’t used to having a pacemaker. Then they told me I needed therapy. My husband said we needed to go to another doctor, preferably one in a different county. So we went to Orlando and they gave me a bunch of tests. They put me on a tilt table — and I passed out immediately.

They diagnosed me with neurocardiogenic syncope.

People who have it get lightheaded if they stand up

innovation. compassion. excellence.

too fast and can often faint.

“I still wasn’t satisfied.

I went online looking for a physician who could treat this latest diagnosis and that’s how I found Dr. Qamar. I fell in love with him right away.

He’s so charming and understanding. He put me at ease and said, ‘Let’s do some tests.’ He knew something wasn’t right and it wasn’t all in my head. We found out the problem was with my pacemaker. I went to Tampa for the surgery — they discovered that my first doctor had put my pacemaker in backward! It

had too many leads. Some of them were broken. It kept shorting out all the time. That’s why I was fainting. I couldn’t believe it. I was there for two days while they worked to fix it.

They punctured a lung in the process. It was horrible, horrible.

“When I got back to Dr. Qamar, everyone knew I was traumatized. They were so kind. Not just Dr. Qamar, the whole staff. They embraced me, hugged me. When I was on the table getting tests they talked to me, one of them rubbed my feet. It’s been awhile and I am much better now. I still get a little lightheaded but I’m learning to do things differently.

“The best part of my time with Dr. Qamar is that one day he casually asked my husband how he was doing. My husband said he had a little trouble with his legs. Next thing you know, Dr. Qamar is testing him. He found blockages everywhere — legs, chest, kidneys. Turns out the medication my husband was on was all wrong. Dr. Qamar ended up putting about 12 stents in.

“We’re just ordinary people. But every time we come in, everyone treats us like family. In all my life I never met a doctor like Dr. Qamar. He fixed me and I know for certain he saved my husband’s life.”

Jim

CANNADAY Ocala “I’m 81 years old and my life is better now than I ever expected it to be at this age.

Dr. Qamar is a big reason why. It hasn’t always been easy. Back in 2006 I was weak, in a wheelchair, and diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Then my legs started swelling. They got sore and I just knew I was getting diabetes. Dr, Qamar reassured me, did some tests and found blockages in my legs. He went in and cleared those out. Put stents in both legs. Now I have circulation flowing well in my arteries and veins. I just flew out to a reunion this summer. We did a three-week trip. Sure, I got a little tired. I’m 81. But if you saw me on the street, I have a full head of hair and a little beard, you’d think I was 70.

My great grandfather is my namesake and he lived to be 94. My goal is to beat him.”

Martha and her husband, Ed, of 58 years.

MarthaHUNT Ocala

“To show you what kind of doctor Dr. Qamar is, on one of my husband’s appointments Dr. Qamar asked me how I was doing. ‘Fine,’ I said. ‘Except I get tired a lot and my legs cramp sometimes.’ He said would you be willing to take a scan? I said yes and they tested me. One leg was very bad and the other was just starting.. Dr. Qamar put stents in both legs and one in my aorta going to my right kidney. I’m 78 years old and now I get around pretty well. No more cramps. No more pain. We go for walks, have friends over. So that should tell you right there. If you have vascular or heart problems, Dr. Qamar is your answer.”

Doris NEAR The Villages

“It all started a couple of years ago. I was having problems with my feet and legs. They were getting swollen and a little discolored. Dr. Qamar discovered I had blood-flow problems in both legs and I needed stents. I have about six of them. I’m on a blood thinner. He even suggested a C-Pap machine because I don’t sleep well.

Dr. Qamar is absolutely charming and very informative. He tells you exactly what is going on. The man cares about his patients; he really does and so does his staff. Everybody knows what they’re doing and everything is in one place.

Don’t ask me what all the machines are, but I’ve been through every one of them. Today, I think I’m doing pretty good, but I’m 87 years old so my activity level is not what it used to be. Dr. Qamar is a wonderful doctor, just wonderful.

And I love the shoes and socks he wears. Very colorful.”

Doris (third from the left) with her friends Sue Martin, Georgie Golden, and Betsy Vahey.

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“I had crevices in the bottoms of my feet you could put your fingers in … But I can walk now.

I can do stairs.

I can even dance.”

Adele was only a few weeks away from losing her foot.

AdeleARONOW The Villages

“I went to a podiatrist who thought my pain was coming from bilateral neuromas. He operated on me, gave me injections, cortisone and therapy and it went on and on. I had crevices in the bottoms of my feet you could put your fingers in. The pain was so bad I could hardly walk. I saw five physicians in all.

Got lots of opinions — but no diagnoses. Somebody told me what I really needed was a vein doctor. Well, my veins were fine. But then she said, there’s only one doctor I would trust to see you. She

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said, ‘I wouldn’t let anyone else touch you but him.’

“She referred me to Dr. Qamar.

“When I met him, the minute he walked in and extended his hand, I knew I had met a very caring human being. I’d been an administrator in the medical field for 40 years and never met a human being like Dr. Qamar. He examined me, talked to me about my problems and what he thought. Within 14 days I was on the road to recovery. I asked him once, ‘If I hadn’t come to you when I did,

innovation. compassion. excellence.

how long before I would have had to amputate my foot?’ ‘Not long,’ he said.

‘Maybe a few weeks.’

Someone upstairs was really looking out for me.

“In all I had like nine catheterizations. I have 11 stents. But I can walk now.

I can do stairs. I can even dance. My daughter is an R.N. in California and very concerned, naturally. Dr. Qamar gave me his cell number to give to her for her to call anytime if she had questions. Who does that?

My granddaughter is going to get married soon and thanks to Dr. Qamar, I am going to dance at her wedding.

“This man takes his time with you. He leaves no stone unturned and he listens.

Look, none of us is a doctor.

It’s scary and frightening. I’m sure some don’t even know what questions to ask. So, we need someone who cares.

Every one of his employees is the same way. He’ll spend the time it takes with you.

If that means I may have to wait a bit to see him, I’d wait 24 hours for that man.

“The thing I learned through all this is, if you have doubts about your doctor, if your doctor’s opinion doesn’t sit well, keep looking. Go with your gut and look for the best in their field. You’ll eventually end up with Dr. Qamar.”

PorterSALTUS The Villages

“It is unbelieveable in this day and age to meet someone like Dr. Qamar.”

“I was in a pretty bad way. I couldn’t walk, had no balance, dizzy all the time, high blood pressure, you name it. The heart people I was seeing at the time gave up on me. Said there was nothing more they could do.

Essentially telling me to go off and die. I’m 89 years old and I’m not near ready for that. So, on my own, I went to Gainesville and they put a stent in my heart and that

helped a little bit.

“But I knew of Dr. Qamar when he was down on Rtes.

27 and 441 and my sister was going to him as well. So, I went to see him. When he told me that he could open my arteries up I said, ‘Really?

No one else has told me that.’

But he did it. I’ve had several procedures and I’m due for some more. I have pretty bad plaque that needs clearing out. He’s opened up the flow

in my legs. Left and then right, and he’ll probably go in each one and do it some more. Oh, he did all kinds of tests on me ... dopplers, MRIs, CT scans. A person my age doesn’t get that kind of attention anymore. Like they think I’m too old for it. Like it’s wasted on me.

“Dr. Qamar’s not like that at all. He’s a thoughtful, kind,

intelligent man who truly cares about his patients. A rarity in this day and age.

He’s not a magician but he’s keeping me going. I’m playing golf again. I’m a woodworker and I’m setting up a new woodworking shop. I know a lot of younger people sitting around waiting to die. That’s not me. Thanks to Dr. Qamar.

Angel PUMAROL Ocala “I had been having problems a long time. Saw cardiologists in Miami. They couldn’t figure things out. Just gave me pills and sent me off. We moved to Ocala and it was the same. My cardiologist at the time was no better than the ones in Miami.

But everyone I talked to kept saying, ‘Dr. Qamar, Dr. Qamar.

You need to see Dr. Qamar.’ So, I did.

“By then, I couldn’t even walk. I was sweating badly. My legs were swollen. Dr. Qamar took the time to talk with me. Did the tests. One of my legs was 90 to 100 percent blocked and the other one, 85 to 90 percent. He put stents in. I have two in my heart and eight in my legs. I had about 14 procedures.

“It is unbelievable in this day and age to meet someone like Dr. Qamar. My nephew is a doctor in Miami. He came up just to meet him because of how he helped me and said, ‘This doctor is amazing.’ The most important thing with him is to cure his patient. A good doctor is the one who opens his heart and listens to the patient. That’s how he is. If you know anybody with heart problems send them right away to Dr. Qamar.”

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Going dogs to the

This year’s ICE WALK participants came from miles around. Clutching water bottles, walking shoes laced tight, ready to share a gorgeous Ocala day with their four-footed BFF’s.

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innovation. compassion. excellence.

ICE WALK 2014 started with perfect weather; cool and sunny with just enough nip in the air for sweatshirts and light jackets.

The crowd was larger than any other year, but lines at the registration desk moved well. Every walker who registered pocketed a free raffle ticket for the post-walk drawings and snagged a very stylish blue ICE T-shirt to help show their support.

Donations came fast and generously, topping last year’s record-setting number by over 200 percent to total over $15,000! The beneficiaries of the donations — Marion County Humane Society and South Lake Animal League

Beautiful day. Great people. Worthy cause.

— showed up with buses full, loaded with plenty of display materials and lots of special canines eager to find forever homes. The day’s “dog day” theme continued as the Ocala Police Department gave an exciting demonstration of its K-9 unit. The star of the show was a beautiful German shepherd. His name? “Ice,” of course!

After a brief warmup led by ICE cardiology nurse practitioner Kevin Noon, the sound system’s speakers came alive with “Ice, Ice, Baby” and ICE WALK 2014 was on! People of all ages, families and singles alike, took off.

Some shared the walk with four-footed friends on leashes. Some were ICE patients out for a fun, healthy time in the morning sun. All were taking time from their Saturday for a good cause.

Their reward after covering the distance — some ran the whole way, some jogged and many simply walked — was an after-party complete with

tunes spun by a D.J., delicious food and drinks. People chatted and traded stories, lots of pictures were taken and even the dogs made new friends. Most

— to a person and surely “to a dog” — made plans to return next year to do it all over again!

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the beat Do-It-Yourself ECG! Why put up with the old way to an ECG? At the most it takes time and costs money. At the least, it’s a hassle.

Making the appointment…visiting your doctor…slipping into that breezy hospital gown and letting a lab tech hook you up. The new way is as simple as resting your fingers on your smartphone and letting technology do the rest.

It’s called the AliveCor Heart Monitor (alivecor.com) and it clips onto your smartphone like a phone case. Just rest your newly transformed cellphone on your chest or touch your fingers to the screen and, when used with the AliveECG app, that’s all there is to it. Your phone sends results to your doctor and voila–instant ECG. But hold the phone–there’s more! As a bonus, AliveCor does a lot of other things to improve your state of health like tracking palpitations and shortness of breath, noting habits like caffeine or alcohol consumption, and monitoring activities like exercise or sleep. All from the palm of your hand….

The Bionic Eye

Late-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has no cure and causes most patients to go legally blind by the age of 40. A retinal prosthesis— some refer to as the “bionic eye” — brings a ray of hope to those patients. This revolutionary technology won’t restore sight entirely but it will help people detect light and dark in the environment and identify the location or movement of people and objects.

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H O L I D A Y

S U I C I D E

M Y T H

According to the CDC, the suicide rate is actually at its lowest in December.

N E W

P R O D U C T

Radiation Protection Cream Interventionalists who frequently have their hands in the radiation field of an angiography X-ray imaging system in the cath lab now have some extra protection. UltraBlox X-ray protection cream by Bloxr—physicians coat their gloves with it—reduces exposure by 30-50 % without the use of lead. The cream was cleared by the FDA in mid-2013.

Where is the Stress?

During the holidays, up to 69% of people are stressed over having a “lack of time”, 69% are stressed over “lack of money”, and 51% feel stressed out over the “pressure to give or get gifts”.

innovation. compassion. excellence.

— American Psychological Association

“…Most Americans gain weight between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. More than half will put on two pounds and 10 percent will put on five pounds or more.

Most people generally don’t lose the weight they gain…”

— Dr. Mehmet Oz on Good Morning America

Strokes have dropped from third to fourth leading cause of death “The decline in stroke deaths is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th and 21st centuries….

The decline is real, not a statistical fluke or the result of more people dying of lung disease, the third leading cause of death.”

Daniel T. Lackland, Dr. P.H., professor of epidemiology

at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston, S.C.

LOSE THE WEIGHT. Excess weight causes greater joint strain, increased wear on the joints and a higher risk of osteoarthritis.

BODY FAT IS BAD. The more you have, the more likely you are to have inflammation. Lose just 5 percent of your body weight can help to reduce strain on your joints.

B R E A K T H R O U G H

Acute heart failure There hasn’t been a major treatment breakthrough for heart failure in two decades—and heart failure kills 55,000 in the U.S. annually. Serelaxin, a synthetic version of a human hormone, gained “breakthrough” status from the FDA in 2013. Study results show a 38 percent reduction in death rates for patients with acute heart failure when compared to those who received standard therapy.

“The number of cardiac deaths is higher on Dec. 25 than on any other day of the year, second highest on Dec. 26, and third highest on Jan. 1.”

New technology for epilepsy is all the buzz.

An experimental new neurological technology is promising for patients whose epilepsy has defied most other treatments. New hope comes in the form of a surgically implanted device that delivers short electrical impulses to interrupt the triggers of an impending seizure.

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Ocala 4730 SW 49th Rd. Tavares 2754 Dora Ave. Summerfield 10435 SE 170th Pl. Williston 412 W. Noble Ave. The Villages 1050 Old Camp Rd. The Villages 1950 Laurel Manor Dr., Bldg 240 352.854.0681 // ocalaice.com // limbstitute.com