Ascension Health

During National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, experts share advice to help patients collaborate with their healthcare provider when making decisions about care DALLAS, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During National Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Awareness Month, StopAfib.org and a task force of experts representing the nation's leading cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery organizations are sharing advice with afib patients on how they can work with their healthcare provider to ensure they get the right care. Many afib patients are not receiving the most optimal treatment, which can have a major impact on disease progression and outcomes. To help more patients receive equitable care, StopAfib.org and afib experts are educating patients on ways to work with their provider to make treatment decisions that align with the recently updated Afib Clinical Practice Guidelines, which provide guidance for physicians on how to manage the condition. Afib is caused by an abnormality in the heart's electrical system and is the most common heart irregularity.1 The CDC estimates that 12.1 million people in the U.S. will have afib in 2030.2 Despite afib being the most common arrhythmia, many patients face significant disparities when it comes to receiving a timely diagnosis and accessing care and treatment. Afib symptom burden, quality of life, and clinical outcomes are shown to be worse in women and among Black and Hispanic patients, as well as other underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and low-income individuals. Inequities have also been shown in afib treatment, including less use of oral anticoagulation for stroke risk reduction and rhythm control strategies that are increasingly important in afib care. "To reduce the risks of stroke or heart failure in afib, it's important that all patients receive care that is in line with the most recent health guidelines," said Eric N. Prystowsky, MD, Director Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Ascension Medical Group, St. Vincent Indianapolis Cardiology. "By providing patients with the information needed to have conversations with their provider about different aspects of their care plan, our hope is that they become better advocates for themselves and more active participants in their treatment decisions." StopAfib.org and the task force of experts published a call-to-action report for healthcare providers in February 2024, which identifies priority areas for intervention, offers strategies to address health equity issues, and seeks to drive change through recommended action. Two major strategies to address inequities in afib patient care outlined in the report are encouraging adoption of new afib guidelines and enhancing shared decision-making and patient engagement. The guidelines state that all patients should be equitably offered treatments recommended by the afib care guidelines, including stroke risk reduction, rate and rhythm control and lifestyle/risk factor modification. To ensure awareness and prepare patients to play a part in their own treatment decisions, the task force is sharing advice that patients can use to foster conversations with their provider, including: Stay Vigilant for Symptoms: Watch out for and share all subtle symptoms with your provider as they can otherwise go undetected or be attributed to other conditions. Know Your Numbers: Keep track of how much afib occurs, your CHA2DS2-VASc (stroke risk prediction) score, and numbers like weight, blood pressure and blood glucose. Lifestyle and Risk Factors: Learn about and implement lifestyle modifications like maintaining optimal weight, blood pressure control, regular exercise and diabetes control. Early Detection and Rhythm Control: Discuss potential use of wearable devices and rhythm control strategies to help slow disease progression and treat afib earlier. "When you're living with afib, there can be so many things to think about, and it can be hard to know what to talk with your doctor about and the right questions to ask," said Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org. "Our goal is to offer guidance that empowers people with afib to have open and honest conversations with their provider and participate in decisions about their care so they can live longer, healthier lives." Learn more about afib and how patients can participate in shared decision-making with their provider at . Funding for this activity was provided by Sanofi. StopAfib.org policies restrict funders from controlling program content. About StopAfib.org StopAfib.org was founded in 2007 by an atrial fibrillation patient for afib patients. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for those living with afib and save lives by raising awareness of afib and decreasing afib-related strokes. StopAfib.org is the top arrhythmia site worldwide. StopAfib.org provides information about afib symptoms, causes, risks, treatments, resources, and the latest afib news. Contact Mellanie True Hills [email protected] 940-466-9898 References StopAfib.org. What is Atrial Fibrillation? Atrial Fibrillation – What is Afib? (stopafib.org). Accessed August 7, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What is Atrial Fibrillation? Atrial Fibrillation | cdc.gov. Accessed August 7, 2024. SOURCE StopAfib.org WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Board-Certified Internist Specializing in Endocrinology Joins MDVIP Network, Delivering Personalized, Preventive Care in Alpharetta and Surrounding Communities ALPHARETTA, Ga. and BOCA RATON, Fla., July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MDVIP, the market leader in personalized healthcare with a network of over 1,100 physicians nationwide, today announced that Keisha B. Ellis, MD, MBA, a board-certified internist specializing in endocrinology, has opened an MDVIP-affiliated primary care practice located at 3225 North Point Parkway, Suite 103, in Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Ellis, whose clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of obesity, diabetes and thyroid disease, is accepting patients who seek a more direct relationship with their primary care doctor. Continue Reading Keisha B. Ellis, M.D., a board-certified internist specializing in endocrinology, has opened an MDVIP-affiliated primary care practice in metro Atlanta. Her office is located at 3225 North Point Parkway, Suite 103, in Alpharetta. "My approach emphasizes attentive listening, open communication and a holistic view of patient well-being," said Dr. Ellis, who also has a background in academic medicine and research. "My goal is for each patient to feel valued and involved in their healthcare decisions – an experience that many people find refreshing but missing in medicine today. Joining MDVIP allows me to spend more time with patients, not simply addressing their symptoms but educating and guiding them on medical conditions and treatment options so that they can make informed choices about their health." Listen to Dr. Keisha Ellis talk about bone health and body fat on WCLK Radio's 'Drive Time With Dr. Douglass.' As an MDVIP-affiliated physician, Dr. Ellis offers a solution to the many frustrations that patients can experience with traditional primary care, including long waits for an appointment, rushed visits and difficulty getting all of their concerns addressed. By maintaining a smaller practice, she is able to dedicate more time with patients to focus on prevention and early detection as well as help manage chronic conditions. Other conveniences include same- or next-day appointments that last an average of 30 minutes and the ability to reach Dr. Ellis 24/7. Personalized Care For an annual membership fee, patients receive the MDVIP Wellness Program, a comprehensive yearly health assessment that includes advanced diagnostic tests and screenings to give a more complete view of the patient's overall health. Using the results, physicians provide ongoing coaching and tools to help patients make healthier lifestyle choices, prevent disease and achieve their wellness goals. Other benefits include the MDVIP Connect app and website, which allow patients to communicate with their doctor online, access personal health records and obtain meal plans, workout programs and other healthcare resources. Should an emergent need arise while a patient is traveling, physicians can help arrange care with a local hospital, pharmacy or doctor, which may include another MDVIP affiliate. Proven Health Outcomes Eleven peer-reviewed, published studies show that patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices have better health outcomes compared to those in traditional primary care practices, including: 79% fewer hospitalizations for Medicare patients, equating to $600 million savings in one year 72% fewer hospitalizations for commercially insured patients 40% more patients identified at risk for cardiovascular disease using advanced testing About Keisha Ellis, MD, MBA Dr. Ellis earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and performed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She went on to complete a fellowship in Endocrinology at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, where she was chief fellow, and also earned a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Dr. Ellis is board-certified in Internal Medicine and is fluent in English, French and Creole. Her appointments include serving as a clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia and as associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency program at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida. Her clinical research has been widely published and presented nationwide. Dr. Ellis' office is located at 3225 North Point Pkwy, Suite 103, in Alpharetta. For more information about Dr. Ellis or to join her practice, visit . About MDVIP MDVIP leads the market in membership-based healthcare that goes far beyond concierge medicine services with a national network of more than 1,100 primary care physicians serving over 400,000 patients. For more information, visit mdvip.com. Follow MDVIP on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Leslie Monreal-Feil 954.401.9931 [email protected] SOURCE MDVIP

COLTS NECK, N.J., July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Peter M. Farrugia is acknowledged as a 2024 Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions to the field of Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Farrugia pursued higher education at Kings College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Molecular Biology with Summa Cum Laude honors. He then obtained his MD at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He completed his Internal Medicine Program at SUNY Stony Brook, followed by a cardiovascular disease fellowship at St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan. He further specialized in interventional cardiology through training at Winthrop University Hospital. The doctor holds certifications in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, as well as being a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI). A dedicated interventional cardiologist and vascular specialist, Dr. Farrugia notes that he has been instrumental in providing high-quality cardiac and vascular care to patients in Monmouth and Ocean County. He currently serves as the CEO of Advanced Heart and Vascular of Central Jersey which he explained is a practice that prioritizes the physician-patient relationship and focuses on delivering exceptional care. The doctor explained that interventional cardiology involves catheter-based treatments for structural heart diseases, while vascular surgery addresses vascular issues through medical therapy, minimally-invasive procedures, and surgical reconstruction. With more than 10 years in the field, Dr. Farrugia is an expert in interventional cardiology and vascular care, and is well-known in the field for advanced techniques and procedures aimed at diagnosing and treating structural heart diseases and vascular conditions. A leader in the field, the doctor is affiliated with many professional organizations, including the American College of Cardiology (FACC). During his tenure as an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Farrugia has held key roles in various medical institutions, including serving as the Director of Outpatient Vascular Medicine and Chief of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Monmouth Medical Center. Dr. Farrugia is credited with improving care delivery models, and has received recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC). Aside from his professional pursuits, Dr. Farrugia is a sports coach, and trains in ballroom dancing with his family of which he also enjoys spending his spare time. Contributing positively to his community, the doctor acknowledges the unwavering support of his wife, Erin, and their four children. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle