FEBRUARY 2019
February is American Heart Month!
GW Cardiology Team Provides 
Free 
Blood Pressure Screenings 
for Heart Month

GW nurse, Erin Breen

On Saturday, February 23rd, the GW Heart & Vascular Institute volunteered at the Temple of Praise church community in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, DC to provide free blood pressure screenings and heart-healthy diet workshop. Dr. Richard Katz led the volunteer team with Kelli Metzger, our registered dietitian; Jason Stein, first-year medical student; Erin Breen, heart failure team nurse; Jared Ng, cardiac physician assistant; and two members of the Temple of Praise church. The event served more than 50 people.

Jason Stein, Richard Katz,
and church member
GW Volunteers: Jason Stein, Jarred Ng, Richard Katz, Erin Breen, Kelli Metzger

On Valentine's Day Reps. Cheney, Connolly, and Olson Introduced Cardiac Arrest Survival Act

Dr. Jonathan Reiner has been a tireless advocate for this legislation since 2011 when he first worked with Rep. Pete Olson in drafting the bill and lobbying Members of Congress on the importance of protecting those who use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in attempt to save a life during a medical emergency. Dr. Reiner also testified in December of 2015 before the Subcommittee on Health hearing on "Examining Legislation to Improve Health Care and Treatment."  On February 14, 2019, Valentine's Day, Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY), Pete Olson (R-TX), and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), reintroduced  H.R. 1227, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. This bill will help increase the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest through higher access to AEDs. This bill would simply implement a national uniform baseline of protection for those who use an AED while attempting to save a life in an emergency. "More than 350,000 Americans experience a sudden cardiac arrest every year and 9 out of 10 will die as a consequence. AEDs can promptly resuscitate many of these patients but a confusing array of laws governing these simple to use life-saving devices has impaired their widespread placement. This bill has the ability to save countless lives," stated Dr. Reiner.



"I'm proud to lead the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act to help save lives by increasing access to AEDs and promoting the use of this life-saving technology to aid someone suffering from a cardiac arrest," Rep. Liz Cheney said. The bill encourages AEDs to be more readily available in stores, businesses, and public places and reduces the threat of legal action against those who quickly act during a cardiac emergency. . . . Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and this bill aims to significantly reduce that number."
Try This Heart-Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipe!
 
The GW Heart & Vascular Institute's registered dietician, Kelli Metzger, recommends this salmon dish from The Complete Mediterranean Diet: Everything You Need To Know to Lose Weight and Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease... with 500 Delicious Recipes by Michael Ozner, MD.

Roasted Salmon with Wilted Spinach
Makes 4 Servings

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
4 (4-ounce) salmon fillets, skinless
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
1 (9-ounce) bag fresh spinach

Preheat oven and a shallow heavy-bottomed roasting pan to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine sugar, paprika, cinnamon, orange zest, and salt. Rub both sides of fillets evenly with spice mix and place fillets on roaster. Roast for roughly 10 minutes, turning once after about 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. While fish is roasting, add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat, then add garlic and saute until fragrant. Add a few bunches of spinach at a time, until all is wilted.  When fillets are cooked, divide spinach onto 4 plates, top each with a salmon fillet, and serve.

Approx. 292 calories per serving
26g protein, 19g total fat, 3g saturated fat, 0 trans fat,
4g carbohydrates, 70mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 1g fiber
Dr. Cynthia Tracy Co-Authors National Guidelines for Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Dr. Cynthia Tracy

The 2019 Focused Update to the 2014 American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society's clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation is approved to be published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Tracy is one of the key authors on this paper. Dr. Tracy is a national leader in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and served on this task force in 2014 and 2019. The 2019 Focused Update was also published in Circulation, the American Heart Association's journal in January. 
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