Monthly Archives: February 2018

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  February is Heart Health Month – Schedule Your Cardiac Calcium Score Test

  Posted on February 5, 2018

  Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for men and women. However, small lifestyle changes can make a difference. You can start these changes and improve heart health.

  First, add exercise to your daily routine. Start by walking 15-30 minutes at least 3 times a week and slowly work up to 30-45 minutes of walking. Second, make healthy eating a habit. Avoid fried foods and decrease your sodium intake. The internet has many heart-healthy recipes. Third, if you smoke or drink, work towards decreasing or ceasing your tobacco and alcohol intake so as to avoid heart disease and stroke. Set a “quit date” for smoking and work towards becoming tobacco free. Last, take blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart medications as prescribed.

  As part of your annual membership fee, Access MD offers a Cardiac Calcium Score. A Cardiac Calcium score is a non-invasive CT scan of the heart. It calculates your risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease by measuring the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. If you have not received a Calcium Score, please call and we can schedule one for you.

• The Best Way To Contact Access MD and Happy Mardi Gras

  Posted on February 3, 2018

  At Access MD we pride ourselves on quick and easy communication directly with the doctor. We strive to answer phone calls from patients within the first couple of rings and to return missed calls in a timely manner.

  We welcome texting and emailing for non confidential and non personal information. However, we do discourage texting or emailing if you wish to contact us urgently about something acute, confidential or personal. I want to help you as soon as possible and unfortunately texts or emails may not be seen until the end of a work day. If you are sick or need immediate care, please do not hesitate to call the office phone. Your care is my priority.

  If my assistant or I do not answer your call, please understand that we may be in the exam room with another patient. If you leave a brief message asking for us to return your call, we will do so as soon as possible. Occasionally, a message is lost. So, please contact us again if your call back is delayed more than an hour.

  We hope you have a happy and safe Mardi Gras Season. As always, please feel free contact us with any questions or concerns. We are happy to help and always welcome you for an appointment.