Saturday, December 8, 2018 • Page 1B
Too young to be this tired Heights resident undergoes minimally invasive procedure to fix heart problem
George G. Junkin, D.C.
internal Medicine/Pediatrics Nutrition/ Weight Loss
Photo supplied Dr. Sunil Reddy, a cardiac electrophysiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, is board certified in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Disease. He treats patients with a variety of heart conditions.
cian destroys the abnormal heart tissue, enabling the heart to return to a normal rhythm. Reddy says patients usually only need to stay in the hospital for one night after undergoing the minimally invasive procedure. “After the procedure, most patients can ultimately come off many of their AFib medications further improving their lifestyle,” Reddy added. Whynot-Huey underwent the ablation in January and says she is feeling great.
“I’m perfect! It was a horrible experience going through that for two years. I like to shop, and the AFib was really putting a damper on my lifestyle. Not anymore!” Whynot-Huey said. Reddy says it is important for people to talk to their physician if they find themselves experiencing the common signs of AFib. “AFib is commonly mistaken for a lung issue, another heart issue or even anxiety or panic attacks. If you find yourself experiencing palpitations, shortness of breath and
fatigue, go to a cardiologist and get checked out. There is a wide variety of treatment options, both medical and surgical, to help get an irregular heartbeat back into normal rhythm,” Reddy said. Memorial Hermann has an affiliated team of experienced electrophysiologists, cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and clinicians utilizing innovative techniques to treat a range of heart and vascular problems. Learn more online at heart.memorialhermann.org.
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Photo supplied The YMCA’s L.I.F.E. program serves teenagers, such as those at Booker T. Washington and Waltrip high schools.
YMCA’s L.I.F.E. program tailored for teenagers Bruce Jacobs, a regional youth development director at the YMCA of Greater Houston, said that because the YMCA has so many great programs, it’s hard for all of them to get the attention they deserve. Jacobs wants to make sure that parents of middle school and high school students are aware of the Y Teen L.I.F.E. program. Because the Y loves its acronyms, L.I.F.E. stands for Leadership, Inspiration, Fellowship and Education. “It’s an umbrella for some of the other pro-
chiropractic care
D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com
Ten ways to beat holiday stress
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
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Memorial Hermann Greater Heights For The Leader Longtime Heights resident Lisa Whynot-Huey may be 61 years old, but she says she’s a young 61-yearold. That’s why it was so frustrating when she found herself getting exhausted in the afternoons, unable to breathe. “I felt terrible. I was home in bed by one o’clock in the afternoon because I was so tired,” she remembered. In 2016, Whynot-Huey was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat often referred to as “AFib.” The American Heart Association (AHA) says common symptoms include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness. If left untreated, the AHA says it can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure. After attempting to control the condition through medication, Whynot-Huey was referred to Dr. Sunil Reddy, a cardiac electrophysiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital and an assistant professor at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). “Atrial fibrillation is a very common condition that can often be controlled through medication. However, there are a variety of reasons, including failing to respond well to medication, that can make a person a good candidate for a procedure called an ablation,” Reddy said. During an ablation, the physician inserts a catheter through a vein in the groin to access the abnormal heart tissue causing the irregular heartbeat. Utilizing radiofrequency energy, the physi-
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grams we have,” said Jacobs, who is the staff leader for L.I.F.E. at the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA on West 34th Street. Components of the program include college readiness activities, mentoring and social and recreational activities as well as leadership and service learning activities. Jacobs leads L.I.F.E. for the central group branches of the Houston YMCA. He said with the establishment of L.I.F.E., there was an effort made to standardize the curriculum of the teen programs at all the Houston YMCA branches.
At the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA there are six participants in the middle school L.I.F.E. program and 10 kids in the high school group. They meet on Thursday evenings at two different times. The goal is for the meetings to be teen-led. Although the topics are the same for both groups, they are also tailored for the ages of participants. “In the middle school group, it’s not too far over their heads,” Jacobs said. At a recent high school meeting, participants wanted to talk about the See YMCA P. 4B
’Tis the season – for the party circuit, shopping until you drop and upping your sugar quota. If you find yourself a little stressed – or a lot – here are 10 ways to improve your mood and relax. Say hi to the sun Health magazine notes the sun stimulates the production of serotonin and relieves Seasonal Affective Disorder. Spend time near a window on sunny days to cheer yourself up. Find a (lost) friend “There’s something about connecting with other human beings that has an intrinsic ability to help people reduce stress,” psychologist Dr. Richard Bedrosian told FORBES magazine.
Don’t beat yourself up for losing track of old friends. Just find them and tell them what they mean to you. Get your citrus fix Certain citrus fragrances boost feelings of well-being and alleviate stress by upping levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that affects mood, according to Health. So, some lemon or orange essential oil could be a pick-me-up. Make your own list and check it more than twice Angela Liddon, a blogger at Oh She Glows, suggests making a list of five short things you are happy for in your life and putting it in your pocket. Read it over whenever you are feeling See Stress P. 9B
Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A. 713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com
ophthalmology
Dora Cantú, M.D. 713.864.8652 1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180 Houston, TX 77008 www.opiavisioncenter.com
obstetrics / Gynecology
Dr. Stephanie Fulton Stephanie Fulton, M.D.
1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com
Major Hospitals
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575