CEDARS-SINAI NEWS | LIFE | HEALTH | L.A.
A STORIED LIFE
A writer maintains her sense of humor through chemotherapy, emerging with new tales to tell.
VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2019
CHASING HEALTH
An internist lives, works and runs through Santa Monica.
LIVE LONGER, AGE STRONGER
Geriatricians share how to prevent illness and stay healthy at every age.
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Laura Grunberger SENIOR EDITOR
Sarah Spivack LaRosa ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Cassie Tomlin DESIGN
DISTINC_ CONTRIBUTORS
Sherry Angel Kyle Beswick Amy Paturel Katie Sweeney
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL NETWORK
John E. Jenrette, MD
VICE PRESIDENT, PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT AND NETWORK DEVELOPMENT, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL NETWORK
Julie Reback Spencer
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC INTEGRATION, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL NETWORK
Mary Clare Lingel
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Pattie Cuen
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© 2019 by Cedars-Sinai. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s medical assessment and medical judgment. Always consult first with your physician regarding anything related to your personal health. Cedars-Sinai does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact the public civil rights coordinator at 310-423-7972. This publication is printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.
CEDARS-SINAI NEWS | LIFE | HEALTH | L.A.
VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2019
HERE & NOW
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CHASING HEALTH
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NEWS FEED
PREPARE & PREVENT
An internist lives, works and runs through Santa Monica.
Stories from the Cedars-Sinai landscape
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LIVE LONGER, AGE STRONGER
LIFE & HEALTH
Geriatricians share how to prevent illness and stay healthy at every age.
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A STORIED LIFE
A writer maintains her sense of humor through chemotherapy, emerging with new tales to tell.
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AT-A-GLANCE
Symptoms men shouldn’t ignore, facts about statins and more
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NEWS FEED
STORIES FROM THE CEDARS-SINAI LANDSCAPE
TORRANCE
In 2010, during chemotherapy for breast cancer at Torrance Memorial, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate, Iris Lee Knell accessorized to lift her spirits. When she recovered, Knell founded the nonprofit Chemocessories, which distributes coordinated turbans, scarves and jewelry sets across the country.
INGLEWOOD
WEST HOLLYWOOD
Cedars-Sinai celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with traditional dance and Indian delicacies.
Former pediatric cancer patient turned teen volunteer Ben Pearson tossed the game-opening coin at a Los Angeles Rams game—and got to spend some time on the field with player Jake McQuaide.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
Cedars-Sinai nurses worked together to find their way out of an employee-built escape room as part of a research project about #teamwork #OR360
CULVER CITY
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officer Brannon Kirkland, a first-time blood donor, participated in the fourth annual LAPD West Bureau blood drive competition in partnership with Cedars-Sinai’s Blood Donor Services. To make an appointment to donate blood, go to donate-bloodcedars.org 2
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LOS FELIZ
Six months after a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia, Caleb Hinson ran the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Half Marathon. His oncologist, Dr. Noah Merin, even joined him on some training runs. Go Caleb!
MARINA DEL REY
Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital collected more than 1,000 items for a local food drive.
TORRANCE
Dr. Natasha Trentacosta ran a knee-injury-prevention workshop for 90 teenage girls in the Beach Futbol Club Academy. Female athletes are three-and-a-half times more likely than males to suffer from ACL tears.
MARINA DEL REY
After four miscarriages, Morgan Schroeder gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Keilty Patrick, at Cedars-Sinai last year.
BASS LAKE, CA
Doctors told Joe Vedder he’d never walk again after he developed bone cancer. Orthopaedic surgery at Cedars-Sinai had him walking with a cane within five months. Now, Joe generously supports research to help patients with similar conditions get back on their feet.
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PREPARE & PREVENT
LIVE LONGER, AGE STRONGER
article by Cassie Tomlin
How These Doctors Are Aging Well
Rosen takes long walks and hikes with her family on weekends. SONJA ROSEN, MD
Whiteman varies her exercise routine and makes sure to get plenty of sleep by turning in at the same time most nights while avoiding computers and other distractions before bed. ELIZABETH WHITEMAN, MD
For more information about the Cedars-Sinai Geriatrics Program, call 310-385-3511 or find the program at cedars-sinai.org
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Mays takes the stairs instead of the elevator and works out with home fitness videos after her kids are asleep. ALLISON MOSER MAYS, MD
H
umans now live longer than ever before. Chances are your life span will exceed that of your parents and grandparents. The number of adults 65 and older in Los Angeles County alone will nearly double between 2010 and 2030. Aging brings change, yet it is possible to avoid decline for quite a while. Doctors in the Cedars-Sinai Geriatrics Program treat patients aged 65 to over 100—seniors who work and live independently as well as those who require ongoing care. Read on for ideas from Cedars-Sinai physicians on how to prevent illness and stay happy and healthy at every age. EXERCISE DAILY
“Exercise can be our best tool in treating chronic conditions associated with aging, from depression and arthritis to heart disease and memory loss. It’s never too late to become a physically active person—start low and go slowly: Walk for five minutes a day, gradually increasing until you can exercise for 45 minutes, five days a week. My healthiest patients walk every day and stay active.” ALLISON MOSER MAYS, MD Geriatrician, Cedars-Sinai Geriatrics Program
MANAGE MEDICATION
“We see people who are on 15 medications or more, prescribed by different specialists. It’s important to regularly check that all your medications are still necessary. To prevent negative drug interactions or side effects, let us know any time you start or stop a medication, even over-the-counter drugs—and try to keep all prescriptions at one pharmacy. In our office, we create the simplest plan to ensure you’re taking your pills as few times a day as possible.”
STAY SOCIAL
“Loneliness among older people is a worldwide epidemic. Even people who live with others can feel lonely and isolated, which can cause depression and anxiety and increase risk of death by more than 30 percent. To stay connected with others, think of activities you enjoy. We can help you find peers to engage with. You can still do the things you liked to do when you were younger!” SONJA ROSEN, MD Chief, Cedars-Sinai Geriatrics Program
PREVENT FALLS
“Falls are common but not normal, and you don’t have to accept them as a part of getting older. Often, trouble with balance is a result of a condition we can correct. There could be a neurological issue, arthritis, poor vision or just a problem with ill-fitting shoes. Medications that cause drowsiness or affect blood pressure can increase fall risk, and changing the time you take them to nighttime can help.” DR. ROSEN
MONITOR MEMORY CHANGES
“Some memory loss is normal—until it interferes with daily function. We often find memory changes are a result of reversible causes, like anemia or vitamin deficiencies. If you’ve had ministrokes, that could be to blame, and we can work to prevent more. Medications can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease to keep you independent longer. Even after a dementia diagnosis, keep your brain active: Continue to play chess or Scrabble or bridge or do whatever activities you like, even if they’re getting harder. Enjoy the rest of your life.” ELIZABETH WHITEMAN, MD Geriatrician, Cedars-Sinai Geriatrics Program
NICHA TANTIPINICHWONG, PHARMD, MPH Clinical geriatric pharmacist
LEAP to the Gym Cedars-Sinai has partnered with the AARP Foundation to offer free group exercise classes to seniors 50 and older. The Leveraging Exercise to Age in Place (LEAP) program aims to prevent falls and combat loneliness through three evidence-based exercise classes and one chronic disease management class at seven locations. “We’re trying to reengage patients in diverse and fun things that are already going on in their community, so that they can become more socially connected and at the same time improve their health,” Rosen says. You don’t need to be a patient to enroll in exercise classes. For more information, contact Community Health Coach Katrina Rosales at 310-248-6242 or katrina.rosales@cshs.org
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LIFE & HEALTH
A STORIED
LIFE With the help of her doctor, writer Lisa Seidman beat cancer with laughter, a lot of stories— and one very special Emmy.
article by Katie Sweeney photos by Ted Catanzaro
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T
he scene: Lisa Seidman’s cozy living room. A picture window looks out on a tree-lined street in Sherman Oaks, California. A coffee table is covered with books, papers and two arching Emmy statuettes. And Seidman, 61, is leaning back in a slipcovered easy chair, doing what she does best: telling a story. This particular story is about how much fun she had during her chemo treatments, at the office of CedarsSinai oncologist Johnny Chang, MD. Wait—whaaat? “Fun” and “chemo” in the same sentence? How is that possible? To find out, you’ll have to read a little further. Because if Seidman were writing this story, she would create suspense. She would weave in multiple plot twists. She would keep you guessing until the very last scene. “That’s what I love about writing,” she says. “Love it, love it, love it, love it.” ‘LISA LIVES LIFE!’
Growing up on Long Island in Massapequa, New York, Seidman would literally dream plots for her favorite TV shows, like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek. “I would wake up thinking, ‘Wow, I wish I could see these on the air,’” she remembers. “And then I thought, ‘Well, if I write for TV, I can.’”
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So in 1982, fresh out of graduate school, Seidman moved to Los Angeles and began pounding the pavement to sell her scripts. Her tenacity paid off, and soon she was writing for primetime hits such as Falcon Crest and Dallas and, later, a string of daytime soaps—Sunset Beach, Guiding Light, Days of Our Lives. She even embarked on a five-year adventure in Moscow, where she was head writer for several Russian telenovelas, including the national sensation Poor Anastasia. And, in 2011, she published her first novel, Killer Ratings, a murder mystery drafted early in her TV career and steeped in industry knowledge. “My father always said, ‘Lisa lives life!’” she says. “Everything would be big, exciting, momentous. Every time I came home, I had a story.” Indeed, the stories flow out of Seidman as reliably as cars flow out of the Valley on a Monday morning—except much faster and a whole lot more fun. Kicking back by the picture window, clad in light-blue jeans and laced-up athletic shoes, she reels off one rip-roaring tale after another. On moving to L.A.: “I flew out here thinking I had this gig, and I would be the only person to ever move to Los Angeles and not have to starve. Then I got here and waited all summer for the phone to ring.”
The bookshelves in Lisa Seidman’s cozy Sherman Oaks home are stuffed with murder mysteries, while her two Emmy Awards rest on the coffee table nearby (left). Seidman knew Dr. Johnny Chang was the physician for her when he cracked her up at their first appointment. The two share another laugh at Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park near his medical office (right).
JOHNNY CHANG, MD
Chang is a board-certified hematologistoncologist who has practiced in the San Fernando Valley since 2004. He graduated from medical school at UCLA, where he also completed his residency and fellowship. Originally from Taiwan, he came to Southern California at age 13. Chang credits his parents for encouraging him to become a doctor, adding, “It was the best thing I could have asked for in a profession.” He and his wife have two sons.
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“ Lisa never showed much negativity. She never let her disease stop her.” Johnny Chang, MD
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On the inspiration for her novel: “I wanted to kill my boss, but I didn’t want to go to prison, so I killed her off in my book instead.” She punctuates many of her anecdotes with hearty, happy laughter—even when the stories are about cancer. And she has quite a few of those. Cancer has made a surprise appearance in her life’s script twice. The first was Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was 38. Eighteen years later, in 2013, it was breast cancer. The lump was tiny, but it was an aggressive tumor type characterized as HER2/neu. She would need a year of treatment. At first, she broke down sobbing on her boss’s couch. Then she laid out a familiar game plan. “From now on, everything that happens is a story,” she vowed. “A funny story.” FUN AT CHEMO
It helped that she met Chang, now medical director at Cedars-Sinai’s oncology practice in the San Fernando Valley. Seidman liked Chang’s straightforward and optimistic approach. But she really loved his sense of humor. At that first appointment, Seidman found herself bursting into laughter. “You’re hired!” she told him. “If I have to go through this, I want to go through it with you.” The feeling was mutual. “When you get cancer a second time, it’s tough,” Chang acknowledges. “But Lisa never showed much negativity. She never let her disease stop her. I really enjoyed that about Lisa.”
At the time, Seidman was writing full time for The Young and the Restless. She took just one day off. She was so busy, she actually looked forward to her chemo infusions at Chang’s office. “They give you medication to relax, and ahhhhh,” she says, tossing her head back, closing her eyes and throwing her arms out wide. “It was the one day when I could just check my brain at the door. And the chemo nurses were so wonderful—every single one of them.” The side effects, which showed up later, were not so wonderful. Her hair fell out, and she threw up “every three seconds.” Still, Seidman kept writing. Grateful for the superb and compassionate care she was receiving from Chang and his team, she named a character on The Young and the Restless after him. “I never felt sick when I was working,” she says with a shrug. “I wrote some of my best stuff when I had chemo because I was so focused.” During her treatment, Seidman even won a Daytime Emmy, the second of her career. She accepted the award onstage in a wig replicating the dark brown, chin-length hair that she had lost during chemotherapy. Shortly afterward, she brought the golden statuette to one of her appointments—and let Chang hold it. “He started running around the office giving acceptance speeches and having everyone take his picture,” Seidman recounts, laughing again. “I told my friends, ‘I never thought I’d have more fun at chemo than I do writing for soap operas.’”
LIFE AFTER CANCER
Since finishing her treatment in 2014, Seidman has been cancer-free. She notes that many of her adventures—her time in Russia, her two Emmys, her published novel— came after one or both of her cancers. “There is life after cancer,” she says firmly. “Big time. Big-big-big-big-big time.” There also is life after soaps, which she retired from writing in 2017. She now mentors new generations of writers at the University of Southern California, and she has a full plate of other projects. One of them is close to home: She has been banding with neighbors to fight several “McMansion” rebuilds in her historically recognized, post-World War II neighborhood in Sherman Oaks, where she has lived since 1989. Seidman sees Chang twice a year for checkups. “We talk about her health and how she’s doing, but she also tells me about her fight to preserve her neighborhood,” he says. “That’s the relationship we have.” And of course, she’s still writing—working on a sequel to her novel and doing research for a screenplay. She doesn’t really consider herself retired. She has many more stories to tell.•
New Tarzana Center Lisa Seidman’s oncologist, Johnny Chang, MD, is among the many physicians moving to the brand-new Cedars-Sinai medical offices in Tarzana this summer. The facilities will feature a full-service cancer center, making care more convenient for San Fernando Valley residents. Services include oncology, internal medicine, imaging, radiation oncology, radiology, and a breast and oncology subspecialty clinic.
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HERE & NOW
CHASING
HEALTH by Amy Paturel photo by Ted Catanzaro
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S
tephanie Koven, MD, rises at 6 a.m., laces up her sneakers and runs west, toward the beach. She wants to be alone with the ocean before the streets of Santa Monica fill with hipsters, surfers and suits. The sound of the crashing waves helps clear her mind. And now that she’s moved her practice to Cedars-Sinai’s new offices in Santa Monica, she has more time for those freeing beach runs. “Running is my happy place,” says Koven, who has several half-marathons and marathons under her soles. “It makes me a better doctor, a better mother, a better human being.” Born in Los Angeles, Koven spent the first six years of her life hopping around the Pacific, from Hawaii to American Samoa, for her father’s job in television production. Her family finally settled in Philadelphia, where Koven fell in love with the seasons, forest and lush green landscapes. But she wasn’t jogging through these bucolic scenes. “Exercise wasn’t part of my family’s culture,” she says. Koven returned to California at age 18 to study anthropology at UC Berkeley—and saw that nearly everyone was playing volleyball, hiking or biking. “That was the first time I stepped into a gym.” While at Berkeley, Koven signed up for medical anthropology courses and volunteered at San Francisco General Hospital’s emergency department. She had never dreamed of becoming a doctor or taken a single pre-med class—but she decided medicine was the right path. “Anthropology is the study of people, so primary care medicine is not that far of a leap,” says Koven, who earned a medical degree at UCLA, followed by residency at Cedars-Sinai.
The first member of her family to become a doctor, Koven runs into opportunities to use her medical expertise even outside the clinic. In 2017, while running the Portland, Oregon, marathon with a few Cedars-Sinai colleagues, Koven saw a runner collapse. He’d had a heart attack. “We all stopped running and did CPR on him,” Koven says. “He survived.” Once, while traveling, she was nursing her infant on an airplane and had to pass the baby to her husband so she could tend to a woozy passenger. Years later, she was called onto the field after her 13-year-old son’s soccer teammate took a hard hit. “I examined his leg, iced it down and sent him to urgent care for X-rays,” Koven says. She isn’t surprised by these serendipitous encounters. Human connection is what attracted her to medicine—truly relating to people and helping them find solutions that fit their everyday lives. Still, her favorite place to practice medicine is in her office with patients, many of whom she has known for years. “Medicine is exciting and thrilling, but the reason I became a primary care physician is to develop a relationship with my patients, to become a trusted source of information and assurance for them,” she says. Now that she’s practicing in Santa Monica, she can foster those relationships a mile from the home she shares with her husband and three children, ages 13, 12 and 8. As a bonus, she’s close to her other “happy place”: the ocean.•
Dr. Koven’s 7 Stay-Healthy Strategies 1. G et a pet for companionship. Koven relaxes with Edgar, her mixed-breed rescue dog.
2. S wim laps for a full-body workout that’s easy on joints.
3. Visit a farmers market for fresh, local produce.
5. C hoose restaurants that use locally sourced, healthful ingredients.
6. Find a nearby bike path for running, walking or cycling.
7. Get your java fix but skip the whip.
4. H it the beach for meditation and moments of tranquility.
Serving Santa Monica Residents throughout L.A.’s Westside can access internal medicine (primary care), gastroenterology and cancer care services at Cedars-Sinai’s new medical offices in Santa Monica. Neurology, cardiology, and ear, nose and throat specialists will arrive soon.
1919 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 to schedule an appointment.
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AT-A-GLANCE
Symptoms Men Shouldn’t Ignore Play through the pain. Tough it out. Man up. Too many men have heeded these messages, which may be a reason why 40 percent visit the doctor only when a symptom becomes unbearable, according to a recent survey. But CedarsSinai men’s health experts caution that ignoring the body’s warning signs can lead to serious health issues.
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“ Shoulder pain and weakness during everyday activities like sleeping or cleaning the house could mean a tear in the rotator cuff. Repairing it through surgery can prevent the tear from getting bigger and affecting the surrounding muscle and tendons, which can cause irreversible damage.” SUKETU VAISHNAV, MD, ORTHOPAEDICS
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“ Men tend to attribute erectile dysfunction to low libido, low testosterone or aging. But because atherosclerosis affects all arteries—and the penile arteries are among the smallest in the body—erectile dysfunction can be one of the earliest manifestations of heart disease.” RAYMOND ZIMMER, MD, CARDIOLOGY
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“ Men don’t realize that their loud snoring may signal obstructive sleep apnea. This serious condition puts undue strain on the heart, leading to arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure.” JON RASAK, MD, INTERNAL MEDICINE
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“ Men often dismiss urinary problems—weak stream, difficulty starting or maintaining flow, and even incontinence—as just part of growing older. But ignoring these symptoms can impair bladder and kidney function if left untreated.” HOWARD KIM, MD, UROLOGY
Our experts agree: None of these symptoms should be panic-inducing. Men with health concerns should visit a primary care doctor, who can help sort out what’s a warning sign and what’s normal.
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Art of Healing
Research
In parts of Los Angeles, many kids feel unsafe in their homes and schools. They see violence within their own families, notice gangs in their neighborhoods or experience loved ones being incarcerated. Cedars-Sinai Share & Care is a school-based, early intervention mental health program that uses art therapy to help children, teachers, families and others cope with traumatic events and stressors.
Not So Manic Monday
Heart experts have long believed that weekday mornings—especially Mondays—are danger zones for unexpected deaths from sudden cardiac arrest. But a new Cedars-Sinai study shows those peak times have disappeared. Now, the often-fatal events don’t coincide with any particular day or time. The researchers suggest that our fast-paced, “always on” era increases stress, which is a known risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest. They continue to study the phenomenon, aiming to fully determine the underlying reasons behind the shift in risk.
Accomplishments in the 2017–2018 school year:
30,500 contacts with students, parents and teachers logged by mental health professionals
950
students in group art therapy sessions
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Leader in Treating Gaucher Disease
Barry Rosenbloom, MD, is one of few experts in a rare genetic disorder called Gaucher disease. The condition leads to the accumulation of a fatty substance in patients’ cells—often in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. The result is easy bleeding and bruising, and bone problems. Although the disease is uncommon, 1 in 12 Ashkenazi Jews carries the most common type. Rosenbloom, of the Tower Hematology Oncology Medical Group, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, has spent 25 years advancing research into Gaucher disease. His contributions have helped establish today’s standard of care and his work continues, with active clinical trials open now for qualifying patients.
schools visited by therapists
Share & Care counselors work with school staff to identify at-risk children and address their needs through crisis intervention, consultation, training and prevention. Counselors lead 12-week art therapy groups that focus on social-emotional learning. These groups provide an environment that aids in the healing process and enhances the child’s ability to concentrate and become happier and more successful academically.
79%
of parents felt more confident in their ability to communicate more openly with their child after Share & Care
89%
of students showed improvement in their behavior after Share & Care
For more information about Cedars-Sinai’s commitment to the health of our communities, visit cedars-sinai.edu/Community-Benefit
Infant Brain Indicators
The growth rates of an infant’s brain circuits may help experts predict a child’s intelligence and emotional health when they turn 4, a CedarsSinai study has found. The research evaluated 223 children, looking at MRI scans of their brains as infants and then studying their behavior and cognitive development at 4 years old. They found that the early scans predicted later behavior. Along with prior research, these findings could help future physicians identify cognitive and behavioral challenges in the first months and years of life, leading to early treatment. About 15 percent of children in the U.S. between ages 2 and 8 are diagnosed with at least one mental, behavioral or developmental disorder.
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AT-A-GLANCE
The Lowdown on Statins No one disputes the power of statins to keep LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in check. For people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke, taking statins is a no-brainer. But for those at lower risk, the jury’s still out. We asked Cedars-Sinai cardiologist Erika Jones, MD, and primary care physician Maya Benitez, MD, for their thoughts on one of the most prescribed medications in America. What the Guidelines Say Some guidelines cast a wider net than others. Doctors calculate your 10-year odds of having a heart attack or stroke by evaluating a combination of factors, including cholesterol level, age, race and whether you smoke. Some guidelines draw the line at a risk level of 7.5 percent, while others use 10 percent. One thing is clear: At 7.5 percent, it’s time for the statin talk with your doctor. The Truth About Side Effects The most common side effect is muscle aches. Risks also include potential digestive problems and mental fuzziness as well as liver damage (very rare). However, most people tolerate statins well, and side effects often can be avoided by taking a lower dose, switching to a different statin or trying cholesterol-lowering injectable medication. The Tipping Point Your doctor can order a noninvasive scan of your heart to reveal whether you have a calcium buildup in your arteries that raises your risk of heart attack. This may be the deciding factor for patients on the fence about taking statins. The Bottom Line It’s not easy to reduce LDL, especially if genetics are involved. Statins work. They prevent health crises that kill. For most people who need this medication, the benefits outweigh the risks—though a healthy diet and regular exercise are vital to prevent heart disease even if you’re on statins.
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Make an Appointment Today JOHN ANDREWS, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 1919 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-453-1871
NITIN KAPUR, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 210 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-423-8828
YALDA AZARMEHR, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 5525 Etiwanda Ave., Suite 320 Tarzana, CA 91356 310-423-4689
STEVEN KREMS, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 4676 Admiralty Way, 4th Floor Marina del Rey, CA 90292 310-306-6966
JOANNE BELGARDE, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd., 3rd Floor Playa Vista, CA 90094 424-315-2490
MARIA SCREMIN, DO INTERNAL MEDICINE 6801 Park Terrace Drive, Suite 130 Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-248-7878
SHAWN CHAIKIN, DO FAMILY MEDICINE 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd., 3rd Floor Playa Vista, CA, 90094 310-423-4843
MICHELLE SHUKHMAN, DO INTERNAL MEDICINE 5525 Etiwanda Ave., Suite 320 Tarzana, CA 91356 818-774-3838
RUCHIKA CHHIBAR, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 4676 Admiralty Way, 4th Floor Marina del Rey, CA 90292 424-314-7878
FLORA SINHA, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 8767 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-423-4622
ANDREW CHUANG, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE 4676 Admiralty Way, 4th Floor Marina del Rey, CA 90292 310-248-7070
ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS MAYA BENITEZ, MD p. 16 FAMILY PRACTICE 10458 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 424-315-2458
STEPHANIE KOVEN, MD p. 12 INTERNAL MEDICINE 1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 210 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-967-8444
SUKETU VAISHNAV, MD p. 14 ORTHOPAEDICS 200 N. Robertson Blvd., Suite 205 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-385-6026
JOHNNY CHANG, MD p. 8 MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
HOWARD KIM, MD p. 14 UROLOGY 8635 W. Third St., Suite 690W Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-248-6970
RAYMOND ZIMMER, MD p. 14 CARDIOLOGY 8501 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-385-3496
JON RASAK, MD p. 14 INTERNAL MEDICINE 8767 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-385-2977
CEDARS-SINAI GERIATRICS PROGRAM p. 4 310-385-3511
current address
16133 Ventura Blvd., Suite 470 Encino, CA 91436 818-988-1318 new address, summer 2019 18131 Ventura Blvd., 3rd Floor Tarzana, CA 91436 ERIKA JONES, MD p. 16 CARDIOLOGY 8501 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-385-3496
Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 to schedule an appointment. CEDARS-SINAI.ORG
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