MCKINNEY — Under a large outdoor tent on a fittingly warm and breezy Tuesday afternoon -- the kind of pristine day that tends to promote a facile forgetfulness of issues related to health problems -- Dr. M. Akram Khan, director of the Cardiac Center of Texas, spoke matter-of-factly to more than 100 doctors and dignitaries gathered for the christening of The Center for Preventive Medicine North Texas.

“My job is a plumber,” Khan said. “I go and fix you guys and that’s not a job I’m proud of.”

Khan’s message was clear to those in attendance: He’d rather prevent medical problems than fix them.

In-depth blood work, extensive health history questionnaires exploring lifestyle habits and family health history, heart CT scans, ultrasounds – these are some of the tools the center will employ to uncover hidden medical troubles before they become life-threatening ailments.

Khan said national policy makers understand preventive medicine is the responsible solution to rising health costs and curtailing disease. The majority of health care dollars are being spent on interventions associated with acute and chronic diseases, Khan said, many of which could have been ameliorated to the tune of less money, not to mention discomfort and threat of death to the patient, had they been uncovered earlier during through preventative measures.

Khan referenced Bill Clinton – known to indulge in a cheeseburger or three -- as the perfect example of a healthcare system that does not do enough to avert potentially catastrophic, presymptomatic disease. As president, Clinton underwent routine health examinations that failed to uncover underlying diseased heart vessels that ultimately precipitated Clinton’s hospitalization in 2004 for quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery.

Tommy Thompson, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001-2005), also spoke at Tuesday’s gala grand opening. Thompson agreed with Khan’s assessment of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure citing growing rates of obesity, diabetes, and the dissolution of physical education curricula in public schools as signs that people are not getting the prevention message.

The Center for Preventative Medicine North Texas is located in the McKinney Arts Center across from the Medical Center of McKinney. It’s one of a growing list of centers sprouting up across Texas and the rest of the United States.

Poor economy leads to increase in heart problems

07:35 PM CDT on Friday, October 3, 2008

By JEFF BRADY / WFAA-TV

Over the last two weeks, the wild ride on Wall Street has kept financial planners and brokers busier than ever.

But they're not the only ones.

Some cardiologists say their phones have been swamped with patients whose financial distress has affected their pulse, heartbeat and even the likelihood of a heart attack.

Abdul Shariff knows he's at risk for a heart attack.

He's a 57-year-old diabetic and a small business-owner, stressed out by a stumbling economy.

"I would say I'm probably taking four times the medication I was taking 10 years ago," he said.

Here's the problem.

His convenience store - in a prominent McKinney neighborhood - is doing such poor business he's put it up for sale.

"I don't have enough sleep, honest to God, I cannot even sleep. Every night I go to bed, and think about how I'm gonna pay the bills the next day," he said.

As the economy worsens, heart patients at a McKinney clinic are coming in two or three times as often.

"People are just freaking out," said Dr. Akram Khan of the Center for Preventative Medicine.

Dr. Akram Khan says financial stress can be one of the worst.

In the last two weeks, he's listened to more complaints of chest pain and often has doubled his patients' medication.

"I'm seeing people come in with lots of palpitation, a rhythm problem, which is most likely due to stress," he said.

Dr. Khan says he saw a similar jump in his patient load seven years ago, right after 9-11. And he says stress alone can be deadly.

"Stress can precipitate a heart attack and early, premature death - that's a fact," he said.

Another fact, early detection and prevention are the best medicines.

Dr. Khan advises his patients to track their diet, pulse, sleep and exercise - more closely than ever - when financial fears are worse.

Dr. Khan says long-term cardio health is really the responsibility of the patient and getting a spouse and children involved are the keys to success.

To watch the video please click on: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081003_lj_brady.d940f172.html

E-mail jbrady@wfaa.com.

Stopping Killer Heart Disease

Most heart patients don't realize they're sick until something goes terribly wrong, and most screenings aren't covered by insurance. Steve Stoler accompanied a Collin County woman who spent Friday figuring out if she is the latest person in her family to have heart problems.

Please watch the featured video: http://www.wfaa.com/video/?z=y&nvid=329720

To read more and watch a video click here.

To politicians and journalists alike, veteran newsman Tim Russert was larger than life. Sadly, so was the silent killer lurking inside him.

The 58-year-old moderator of “Meet the Press” died last Friday of an apparent heart attack. According to Dr. Michael Newman, Russert’s personal physician, the journalist suffered from coronary artery disease. He died when a cholesterol plaque ruptured in an artery, causing sudden coronary thrombosis. An autopsy also revealed that Russert had an enlarged heart.

Russert’s doctor claims he was managing his heart disease with medication and exercise, and that his blood pressure and cholesterol were “well controlled”. He also passed a stress test on April 29th.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and something I see all too often. Time and time again, patient after patient, I’ve said to myself, “if only I had seen him/her sooner.”

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. CAD stems from the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. As those arteries harden and narrow, blood flow decreases, depriving the heart muscle of the blood and oxygen it needs. The result, as in Russert’s case, can often be fatal.  But, what most people don’t know is that heart disease can be avoided altogether.

In fact, treatment isn’t nearly as effective as prevention.  While you can’t change your family history, age and race, there are several ways in which you can boost your immunity when it comes to heart disease.

1. Stop Lighting Up

Without question, quitting smoking is the single most preventable risk for heart disease.  And, it doesn’t take long to see results.  Your risk for heart disease drops dramatically within the first year you stop smoking.

2. Get Physical

Regular physical activity increases blood flow to your heart and allows your heart to pump more blood with less effort.  And, we all know exercise helps to control weight.  It can also reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, all of which can put an extra strain on the heart. You should aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity a day.  And, don’t forget, tasks such as gardening and walking the dog can add to your goal.

3. Eat Heart Smart

By now, we all know the importance of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.  But, keeping close tabs on your intake of saturated and trans fats is also essential as both raise your risk by raising cholesterol.  Cutting back on red meat, and sugar can make a dramatic difference. And, alcohol is allowed – provided it’s in moderation.  In fact, one or two glasses of red wine a day can actually help safeguard your heart.  It should also be noted that red grapes have the same heart smart ingredient.

4. Watch Your Weight

Make sure you don’t tip the scales.  Excess weight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.  Even a considerably small reduction in weight – 10 percent – can help strengthen your heart.

5. Take the Tests

You aren’t likely to know you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol without screening for them.  Regular screenings can tell you whether you need to take action. It’s best to check blood pressure every two years, and measure cholesterol every five. Patients with multiple risk factors should also request their doctor perform a CAT scan of the heart even if they have a normal echocardiogram, and, as in Russert’s case, a normal stress test.  Stress tests fail to detect nearly 50 percent of all heart disease cases.

Unfortunately, heart disease only makes headlines after it’s too late.  But, it doesn’t have to be that way.  Heart disease can actually be prevented before it strikes.

To read more and watch a video click here.

Dr. Akram Khan has been practicing cardiovascular medicine in McKinney since 1997. After years of treating people for illnesses that could have easily been prevented with proper care, he started the Center for Preventive Medicine in McKinney . For more information, visit www.savingtheheart.com

(Dallas, TX: 1/8/08) In a move to marshal practical prevention solutions to conquer the national health care crisis, U.S. Preventive Medicine, Inc. has named former Secretary of Health & Human Services and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson as the company’s National Policy Advisor.  Gov. Thompson will assist the company in mobilizing employers, government entities and health care providers to focus on prevention, early detection and chronic condition management as the solution to the health crisis facing the nation.

“Everyone is preaching that prevention is a good thing, but until now, no one entity has surfaced that could pull all the pieces together,” Thompson said. “U.S. Preventive Medicine has wrapped a business model around prevention, early detection and chronic condition management that is exactly the solution our country needs. I am proud to serve as national policy advisor, knowing that there is heavy lifting ahead…but we intend to bring the best and brightest in our nation together to solve this impending crisis.” 

Christopher Fey, U.S. Preventive Medicine Chairman and CEO, said it will take both the business and government sectors working together to solve the health care crises that is affecting every segment of America.

“As the emerging leader in prevention, we are focused on organizing the fragmentation that exists across the continuum of prevention, early detection and chronic condition management to realize improved health outcomes while reducing health care costs,” said Fey. “Gov. Thompson can engage our nation’s leadership across multiple entities to the benefit of our country and its citizens…his engagement in this endeavor brings incredible momentum to our efforts.”

During the past 12 months, U.S. Preventive Medicine has evolved from a development stage company into an integrated, preventive health care company providing comprehensive health care services in seven states for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, Chronic Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, high risk OB/GYN, mental illness and many other complex conditions. The company also is launching The Prevention Plan™, a ground breaking new preventive health benefit, as well as expanding its system of Centers for Preventive Medicine. The Company recently announced its expansion into the United Kingdom.

Thompson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 19th Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2001 and served until 2005. As the nation's top advocate for the health and welfare of all Americans, Secretary Thompson led the department, which employed more than 60,000 personnel and had a fiscal year 2004 budget in excess of $500 billion, representing more than a quarter of all federal expenditures. Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service, most recently serving as governor of Wisconsin since 1987. He made state history when he was re-elected to office for a third term in 1994 and a fourth term in 1998.

As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Thompson launched major health initiatives to:

• strengthen the nation's preparedness for a bioterrorism attack;
• substantially increase funding for the National Institutes of Health;
• reorganize the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to encourage greater responsiveness
  and efficiency;
• clear the backlog of waivers and state plan amendments, approving 1,400 and thereby provide
  health insurance to 1.8 million lower-income Americans throughout the nation; and,
• urge all Americans to prevent disease by focusing on critical health areas, such as obesity,
  diabetes and health disparities.

The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Medicare and Medicaid alone provide health coverage for more than 90 million Americans. The Department is the U.S. agency responsible for:

• Health and social science research
• Preventing disease, including immunization services
• Assuring food and drug safety
• Medicare (health insurance for elderly and disabled Americans) and Medicaid (health insurance
  for low-income people)
• Health information technology
• Financial assistance and services for low-income families
• Improving maternal and infant health
• Head Start (pre-school education and services)
• Faith-based and community initiatives
• Preventing child abuse and domestic violence
• Substance abuse treatment and prevention
• Services for older Americans, including home-delivered meals
• Comprehensive health services for Native Americans
• Medical preparedness for emergencies, including potential terrorism.

The Department of Health and Human Services administers more grant dollars than all other federal agencies combined. HHS' Medicare program is the nation's largest health insurer, handling more than 1 billion claims per year. Medicare and Medicaid together provide health care insurance for one in four Americans.

In 1996, Gov. Thompson enacted Wisconsin Works, or "W-2," the state's landmark welfare-to-work legislation, which served as a national model for welfare reform. The program required participants to work, while at the same time providing the services and support to make the transition to work feasible and permanent. W-2 provided a safety net through child care, health care, transportation and training assistance.

More recently, Gov. Thompson worked to extend health insurance to many low-income children and families. As of November 2000, The BadgerCare program - Wisconsin's Medicaid/State Children's Health Insurance Program for uninsured families - had enrolled more than 77,000 individuals. In addition, Wisconsin's Pathways to Independence was the nation's first program to allow the disabled to enter the workforce without the fear of losing health benefits. The program provides ready access to a coordinated system of services and benefits counseling. As governor, Thompson also created FamilyCare, designed to help elderly and disabled citizens, and allow them to receive care in their homes for as long as possible.

Thompson began his career in public service in 1966 as a representative in Wisconsin's state Assembly. He was elected assistant Assembly minority leader in 1973 and Assembly minority leader in 1981. He has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Anti-Defamation League's Distinguished Public Service Award. In 1997, Thompson received Governing Magazine's Public Official of the Year Award, and the Horatio Alger Award in 1998. He has also served as chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors' Conference. He also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve.

Former Gov. Thompson, a U.S. presidential candidate until August 2007, is the president of Logistics Health Incorporated. He also is senior partner at Akin Gump, a Washington, D.C., law firm, and is the independent chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. Thompson taught a class in the fall of 2005 at the Kennedy School of Government on medical diplomacy.

About U.S. Preventive Medicine:
U.S. Preventive Medicine®, a privately owned company, is building the first health network in the United States and internationally focused on prevention. USPM offers employers, government agencies and consumers proprietary products that include The Prevention Plan™, a groundbreaking personalized wellness program delivered online to individuals; The Prevention Plan CM™, field-based chronic disease management programs customized for employers and government agencies to reduce healthcare costs; and The Centers for Preventive Medicine®, which offer high-tech diagnostic screenings delivered to consumers in partnership with hospitals, health systems and other providers. For more information, please visit www.USPreventiveMedicine.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which may not accurately reflect our actual results of operations. Some of the information in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms like “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. The reader should be aware that our actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including insufficient capital resources, inability to compete effectively, adverse economic conditions, unanticipated difficulties in product development and inability to gain market acceptance and market share.