Have heart

BY JEREMY WAYNE

There is a drawing of a cat, a rather attractively whiskered cat, on the whiteboard that takes up an entire wall in the administrative office of James Peacock, M.D. in White Plains Hospital, and it says “Meow” as it appears to launch into space. The cat, however, has nothing to do with cardiology, which is Peacock’s specialty. It was drawn by his 10-year-old daughter when she and her 7-year-old sister recently came to the hospital with their dad, and he was tasked with finding them things to do to entertain themselves. He has not had the heart — no pun intended — to erase the drawing, nor his younger daughter’s rocket ship on the far side of the whiteboard. Which is why the drawings remain there, inspired by a trip the family recently made to NASA, nestled among the medical jargon and strategic planning charts relating to Peacock’s working day at the hospital.

Specializing in electrophysiology, which is the electrical branch of cardiology, Peacock earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemical sciences at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville-Tennessee, before going on to obtain an advanced master’s degree in patient oriented research from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in Manhattan. Expressed in the vernacular, the guy is no dummy and, judging by his daughters’ precision art, the apples are clearly not falling far from the tree.

One thing Peacock’s impressive, if rather dry, résumé won’t tell you however, is that here is an extremely modest man, dedicated to his work and to better health care in the community generally. So, while he valued his position as CMO at NewYork-Presbyterian, where he found himself spending about four-fifths of his time on the administrative side and only 20% practising his beloved electro-physiology, he leapt at the opportunity when he received an offer to come to White Plains Hospital nearly a year ago. HEALTH & FITNESS WELL

James Peacock, M.D. Courtesy White Plains Hospital.

“Number one, I had wanted to be a doctor ever since I was 5 years old,” he says. “I just knew that that was my calling. I never wanted to do anything else.” His father was a scientist and with two grandparents both battling lung cancer, he found himself inspired by what he could see physicians were able to do. “I worked a long time to get here. And I was longing to see more patients, even as I was doing this administrative work.” At White Plains Hospital he has been able to do just that, and has “reset his balance,” to see more patients, while cutting down on the administrative side, although that still falls within his remit. He also had a unique opportunity to build an electrophysiology program from the ground up, since no such program existed at the hospital before. Second, the Chappaqua resident saw coming to White Plains as an opportunity to serve his community. Working at White Plains, he says, has a different feel to working in the city. “People (in Westchester) have a sense of community. It really is neighbor treating neighbor. Just talk to the nurses and the rest of the staff that work within the hospital. Most of them live around this area and they feel like I do. They want to treat our community, and that’s a great sense of joy that comes in.”

He finds joy, too, in the medical advances of recent decades. “It’s just incredible what we are able to provide now, even compared to 20 years ago.” He tells patients that for their heart health there are a few things that they need to do but it really falls into what he describes as two buckets. “(The first is) things that you do at home — for yourself, and the second is that you have access to good quality health care.”

In the first bucket, he explains, are three lifestyle changes we can make at home — no doctor, no specialist necessary. And the first of the three changes, is diet. “I once heard a chef say — and it made a lot of sense to me, and so I tell it to my patients — that when you go to the grocery store, stay around the perimeter.” The perimeter is where the fruits, the dairy, the meats are, whereas all the stuff in the middle is the processed foods — canned, boxed and salted.

And then there is exercise, where the recommendation is for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. (I gulp as he says this.) Peacock recommends finding something you like doing that’s relatively active, and not to think of it as exercise, and to take time out of your day to do it. “If you enjoy hiking or jogging — there are beautiful parks all around Westchester. There are also beautiful golf courses. And, if you are able, then carry your own bag.” I ask him if walking counts and he says it absolutely does. “Anything which gets you from sitting to moving around is helpful.” And whatever level you’re at, he advises, add some intensity. “In other words, if you’re a light walker, become a fast walker. If you’re a fast walker, start to jog.” He makes it sound easy, and really it is.

The last of the lifestyle changes is emotional well-being. “I bring this back to hiking,” he says. “For example, if you’re hiking somewhere beautiful, just take 30 minutes to just be in the moment, to enjoy nature, that’s an important piece as well.” The second bucket is access to great health care, which he says White Plains Hospital offers. But even the roles of the hospital and the doctor/patient relationship are changing as technology steps in to assist, with a whole range of products coming out in terms of what you can do to monitor your heart health unaided. “Apple Watch, Fitbit, activity trackers — if you look at the money spent on these consumer products, there is an appetite for people to want to do these things,” Peacock says. You can now get an EKG on a consumer device, while, under the care of a cardiologist, you can have your heart monitored 24/7, without going near a doctor’s office. From a drawer, Peacock takes out a tiny object, half the size of a memory stick. Implanted in the patient’s chest, the Linq device records data from the heart continuously, immediately flagging any abnormalities requiring expeditious attention as well as sending a daily report to the physician via a monitoring center.

Progress indeed, these devices improve quality of life as well as saving lives. I’ll drink to that, I think, as I pop the stick — a parting gift from Peacock — in to my pocket, although “drink” is probably not wholly appropriate to the situation. On refection, I’ll take a 30-minute walk instead.

For more, visit wphospital.org.

BY SMRITI DESHMUKH, M.D.

The statistics are staggering: According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. And heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year — more than all cancers combined.

Yet heart disease continues to be considered a “mostly male health issue.” Because of this misconception, women who are experiencing signs of a heart attack often don’t seek the immediate, life-saving care they need. In fact, it is common for women to wait more than six hours after first feeling the symptoms of a heart attack before going to the ER. Often, they believe they are experiencing nonlife-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.

Every February, the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” initiative helps raise awareness of women’s heart health. This initiative is a great catalyst for women to make heart health a priority. As a cardiologist, I’d encourage women to think about their heart health, and the heart health of the women they love, as the actions you take now could save your life.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS We’ve all seen the crushing left-sided chest pain of a heart attack that’s dramatized on TV. It’s important to know, though, that women don’t experience heart attack symptoms the same way men do. Women can feel chest pain, but more often will feel a little chest tightness or some weakness, shortness of breath or pain anywhere in the upper body, like the back of the neck or jaw. Indeed, chest pain is absent in 43% of women having a heart attack.

Women, particularly older diabetic women, tend to have more vague symptoms that make it difficult to tell what exactly is going on. These symptoms could be as common as HEALTH & FITNESS WELL

weakness or fatigue. This is a primary reason why women delay seeking treatment or calling 911 and why there is sometimes a delay in doing an EKG or cardiology consultation for women. It is important for women to know the signs and to seek help immediately for any troubling symptoms.

GET SCREENED As women, we know to schedule regular mammograms, but we continue to lag behind men in getting screened for heart disease. According to the AHA, almost two-thirds (64%) of women who die suddenly from coronary heart disease exhibit no previous symptoms. This is why physicians and cardiologists stress the importance of regular cardiac screening for women.

LOWER YOUR RISK Lifestyle changes can profoundly affect heart health in women. According to the AHA, nearly 80% of cardiac events can be prevented, yet cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat. To help combat this threat, the following recommendations should be considered: • Get moving: We recommend 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week— that’s 30 minutes, five days a week. Anything that gets you moving counts, so walk, take the stairs or park far away and walk to the store. Then, as your body is able to accept a higher level of activity, move more. Exercise also helps with stress. • Avoid sitting for long periods: A

sedentary lifestyle is dangerous for overall health. If you’re sitting at your desk all day, set a timer every hour as a reminder to get up and get moving. • Adjust your diet: When you start

exercising, the endorphin release will make you motivated to make better food choices. Avoid processed foods and stick to natural, whole foods. We recommend a Mediterranean diet for optimal heart health. • Get annual checkups: Regular

checkups should start at age 40 or sooner if you have a family history Smriti Deshmukh, M.D. Courtesy White Plains Hospital.

of diseases. Once you know your numbers, your doctor can better guide you on how to reduce your chances of having a heart attack. • Stop smoking: According to the AHA, smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by two to four times. Also, women who smoke have a 25% higher risk of developing heart disease as compared to men who smoke. Discuss a smoking cessation plan with your doctor and kick the smoking habit.

While it’s frightening to know that someone dies of a heart attack every 42 seconds, this statistic is something our team of highly skilled cardiologists and heart health specialists are working hard to reverse. Relying on evidencebased research, and using the most advanced equipment and techniques, we are able to provide world-class cardiovascular care to women and men here in Westchester County, without them having to go too far from home. Make February your month to get heart healthy. Know the symptoms of heart disease, get screened and practice prevention. As women, we’re so used to taking care of others, but this month, let’s commit to taking better care of ourselves.

Smriti Deshmukh, M.D., is the director of echocardiography at White Plains Hospital and is board certified in cardiology, echocardiography and nuclear cardiology. Contact her at 914- 849-7180.

BY CONSTANCE M. CHEN, M.D.

In an era of “selfies” and social media postings, many people are self-conscious about appearance — a major reason why bodycontouring procedures are becoming more popular. The best way to improve abdominal shape is via diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. However, patients who are still unhappy with the shape of their abdomen despite already being at or near their ideal body weight can consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. He or she can help patients determine whether procedures such as a tummy tuck, liposuction or a combination may be able to help enhance their appearance.

Liposuction is designed for removal of excess fat deposits and is most successfully performed on young fit patients with good skin elasticity. It can also be a useful adjunct to help finesse results of other body contouring procedures by smoothing out and sculpting targeted areas to look more naturally proportionate.

For patients with excess skin or stretch marks, however, a more extensive surgical procedure, such as an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, will most likely be needed. Stretch marks are a sign that the dermis has been damaged and the skin has lost its elasticity in that area. Exercise cannot force the skin to revert to its original shape.

Many people increase in abdominal girth as they age. In particular, the abdomen of a pregnant woman stretches enormously to accommodate a growing new life. If the skin is overstretched, it cannot snap back to its original form.

Since liposuction does not involve removing skin, a patient

Alexandros of Antioch’s Aphrodite of Melos, otherwise known as the Venus de Milo (130-100 B.C.) marble. Musée du Louvre. She offers a standard of beauty that includes a flat but shapely torso. who has saggy skin and undergoes abdominal liposuction will not achieve an optimal cosmetic result. In fact, the procedure may only make the area look worse.

An abdominoplasty not only removes unneeded skin, it can smooth the tummy “bulge” that develops in some patients, primarily women, by correcting and tightening abdominal muscles that have thinned, separated and weakened — a condition called rectus diastasis.

This makes it difficult for a patient to lift objects and may cause lower back pain, weakened pelvic alignment and altered posture. A study published in a 2018 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reinforces the idea that abdominoplasty is not simply cosmetic. According to the study’s authors, tummy-tuck surgery with abdominal-muscle repair can reduce back pain and urinary incontinence in women after their child-bearing years. Meanwhile, earlier studies tout the benefits of lipoabdominoplasty — a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction — to enhance cosmetic results and minimize surgical trauma to tissues. With lipoabdominoplasty, surgeons perform both abdominoplasty and liposuction to eliminate loose skin and excess fat deposits.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports tummy tucks are among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States, with more than 130,000 of them performed in 2018. Liposuction procedures exceed 250,500, but this total includes removal of fat from areas of the body other than just abdomen, such as hips, thighs, buttocks and neck.

But, back to “selfies.” Not only does the right surgical approach improve personal appearance and correct physical problems. For some people it can also offer psychological benefits, including enhanced self-image, self-esteem and perceived quality of life. In the August 2019 issue of the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, a study of 38 patients who had undergone aesthetic liposuction found improved emotional stability, reduced anxiety and higher satisfaction with their life and general state of health when compared to their preoperative state.

Sometimes, patients practice healthier lifestyles following a tummy tuck or a liposuction because they want to maintain their new “look” by avoiding future weight gain.

To those who are potential candidates for cosmetic surgery, I offer these tips: • Don’t consider cosmetic surgery as an alternative to exercise and healthy eating for weight reduction. • Understand the risks, including infection and permanent scarring, associated with any surgical procedure. • Know that cosmetic surgery like liposuction can permanently eliminate fat deposits from targeted areas but not stop one’s ability overall to gain weight. • Delay a tummy tuck if another pregnancy is possible in your future.

Whether liposuction, tummy tuck or both, the end goal is to feel good about what you see when looking in a mirror. Ultimately, however, surgery is limited in what it can accomplish. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to both inner and outer beauty.

Constance M. Chen, M.D., is a New York City-based, boardcertified plastic surgeon with expertise in the use of innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and cosmetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. She operates out of Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and is clinical assistant professor of surgery (plastic surgery) at Weill Cornell Medical College and clinical assistant professor of surgery (plastic surgery) at Tulane University School of Medicine. For more, visit constancemchenmd.com.

Unlike many other "diet plans", this is NOT a set of "rules" or a "one-size-fits-all" prescription. In fact, it's not a prescription at all. It's a set of principles about how and why nutritional choices work. Principles such as:

• Progressively building habits over a long period of time to promote confidence and long-term sustainability. • Monitoring progress and adjusting behaviors as needed. • Building consistency and repeatable systems for making good choices. • Helping bodies function and perform their best, approaching change holistically; looking at all sides of a problem.

• Mention this WAG Magazine ad and receive 20% OFF the program. As a thank you, veterans receive 50% OFF. • Daily nutritional habits and reminders guide you through your transformation. • Workouts come complete with videos and modifications specific to the individual. • At the end of the program, if not completely satisfied, you will receive a full refund.

Visit www.GiovanniRoselli.com for more info or contact him directly at Gio@GiovanniRoselli.com.

BY GIOVANNI ROSELLI

Anthony Renna cut his teeth in the fitness industry at Equinox in Scarsdale many years ago. He later went on to develop one of the country’s first facilities dedicated to golf fitness, Five Iron Fitness, back in 2008 in White Plains. With the success of this business, another business blossomed — an educational platform to help those in the fitness industry. Most recently, his book, “Be Like the Best — A Guide to Reaching the Top of the Fitness Profession,” debuted. Anthony chose 50 top fitness professionals from across the country to provide their insight on how to succeed in the industry. I was fortunate enough to be on the list. I recently sat down with Anthony to discuss the book:

What inspired you to write “Be Like the Best”?

“Being in the fitness profession for 15 years and witnessing so many trainers come and go really bothered me. The industry was losing so many amazing people who do so much to help people change their lives.

According to some of the industry research, there is a 40% turnover rate in the first year.

Trainers are well-intentioned but because of the nature of the profession (long hours, split shifts and low pay), being a trainer can lead to burnout.

But it’s not only the profession’s fault. Too many people are drifting without any clear path or vision about their future. That’s like driving to somewhere across country without a GPS. You just drive around and hope you run into your destination. That’s not the best plan.

A few years back, I made it my mission to help fitness

professionals achieve success and make an impact in the world.’Be Like the Best’ is one way that I am helping them get on that path.” Were there any common themes among the people you featured?

“First, the best of the best have a clear vision of where they are going, the impact they want to make and the legacy they want to leave. It’s their ‘life roadmap’ and it’s one of the things that separate them from the pack.

Second, they all had some kind of a goal-setting process — as informal as just writing them down and not even looking at them to really a formal process of setting, reviewing and adjusting. This is more of their ‘daily roadmap.’

Third, they all understand the impact that they are making on people’s lives. Part of the problem with average trainers is that they really don’t see how important they can be in someone’s life. We all want to live with purpose. Understanding that impact is a game changer.

The last one is that they all worked their butts off to get where they are. There are no shortcuts.” HEALTH & FITNESS WELL

Giovanni Roselli and Anthony Renna. Courtesy Roselli Health & Fitness.

What would be your advice to fitness enthusiasts based on the book?

“Set specific goals quarterly that will challenge you. Don’t just say, ‘I want to lose weight.’ It has to be specific and challenging.

It should read, ‘I will lose 10 pounds and 5 body-fat percentage points by March 31.’ It has to be a little out of your reach to make it exciting.

Make a list of three to five reasons why you want to achieve the goal and put it somewhere you will see it frequently. This will help you get through the tough times.

Celebrate when you get there. When you set the goal, plan the celebration. ‘I will celebrate by going to my favorite restaurant.’ Make it something you really want and don’t reward yourself if you don’t make it. Save it for the next goal but don’t beat yourself up over it if you don’t achieve it.”

What would be your advice to people in any field based on the book?

“My advice for people in any industry is to be intentional about the process of designing your life. I love the Abe Lincoln quote, ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it.’ If you start to figure out and write down what you want your legacy in life to be, what you want your life to look like and what your core values are, it will lead to developing goals that will put you on a path to the life you want to live.

There’s a famous 1979 Harvard MBA study on goal setting that when asked ‘Have you set written goals and created a plan for their attainment?’ only 3% of the class had both written goals and concrete plans. Ten years later, that 3% was making 10 times as much as the rest of the class.

Get a notebook or planner and write it all down and review it constantly. It’s why I developed a workbook as a companion guide to ‘Be Like the Best.’ It’s that important.” For more information on Anthony and his book, visit continuefit.com. Reach Giovanni on Twitter @GiovanniRoselli and at his website, GiovanniRoselli.com.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SEBASTIÁN FLORES

Her coloring suggests a storm cloud ready to burst. But this Stormi is a real social butterfly, with butterfly ears to match.

The 3-month-old Australian Shepherd/Wire Terrier mix was rescued from a high-kill shelter, along with her siblings. She is a uniquelooking pup and those big ears just make you smile. Stormi loves playing with her toys and being around people. She is energetic, so an active person or family would be ideal. Stormi is such a great pup, though, that whoever adopts her is going to get a wonderful new best friend.

To meet Stormi, visit the SPCA of Westchester at 590 N. State Road in Briarcliff Manor.

Founded in 1883, the SPCA is a no-kill shelter and is not affiliated with the ASPCA. The SPCA is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. To learn more, call 914- 941-2896 or visit spca914.org.

Bring home a beautiful, sustainable arrangement created by YOU! Enjoy evenings of conservation discussion over wine, appetizers and floral design sessions at Westmoreland Sanctuary.

Workshop Location: 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Mount Kisco, NY 10549 Phone: (914) 666-8448 To register, please visit www.westmorelandsanctuary.org