Why Your Cholesterol Counts

The first results from the survey Cholesterol Counts reveal how much Americans know about their individual cholesterol numbers and the risks associated with high LDL-C (bad cholesterol).

Turns out, approximately 71 million Americans have high levels of LDL-C and many remain at risk for heart attacks and strokes.

This is despite management with diet and medications.

Cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Cholesterol Counts is a collaboration between Sanofi US and Regeneron and leading patient and professional cardiovascular organizations Foundation of the National Lipid Association (FNLA), Mended Hearts and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) to gauge how much Americans know about cholesterol.

Dr. Ralph Vicari and Michele Packard-Milam, discuss the state of cholesterol awareness in the U.S., gaps that exist in knowledge and what every American needs to know about controlling high cholesterol and in particular LDL-C (bad cholesterol).

Michele is executive director of Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts. Mended Hearts is the largest peer-to-peer heart patient support organization in the world, making more than 215,000 visits to patients each year

They also provide information on where patients and their families can find information and resources.

Produced for Sanofi US and Regeneron. 

 

 ABOUT DR. RALPH M. VICARI

Ralph Vicari, MD has been a practicing Cardiovascular Disease specialist for 30 years in Melbourne, FL. He is certified by The American Board of Internal Medicine for Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Vicari is affiliated with the Orlando VA Medical Center and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Central Florida. He has participated in over 200 studies in cardiovascular disease. He was awarded the Southeast Lipid Association President’s Award in 2013 for community service education.

Dr. Vicari received his medical degree from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. He completed an internal medicine residency at Georgetown University School of Medicine, as well as a cardiology fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

 

ABOUT MICHELE PACKARD-MILAM

Michele Packard-Milam, CAE is executive director of Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts. Mended Hearts is the largest peer-to-peer heart patient support organization in the world, making more than 215,000 visits to patients each year; Mended Little Hearts empowers families affected by congenital heart disease with support and education.

A Certified Association Executive (CAE) since 2006, Packard-Milam was previously executive director of Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association and held long tenures with Promotional Products Association International, the American Heart Association and Sara Lee. Packard-Milam brings broad experience in many areas of association and business development, including strategic planning, knowledge-based governance, corporate development, licensing, brand management, advertising and website strategy. She resides in Dallas with her husband of 34 years, three children (26, 23 and 17) and numerous flora and fauna.

For more information about the program or to take the Cholesterol Counts Poll to get counted, visit www.CholesterolCounts.com.

Click here for interview with cardiovascular disease specialist, Dr. Ralph Vicari discussing the state of cholesterol awareness in the U.S.  http://bcove.me/vcodeqx4

 

 

 

Maria Dorfner

MARIA DORFNER is the founder of NewsMD Communications, LLC and Healthy Within Network (HWN).  This is her blog.  It attracts a wide audience from around the world.

Have a hot medical/health/wellness/fitness story idea or tip?  Or for Advertising or Sponsorship rates:

CONTACT: maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

 

Sitcom Sensation Vicki Lawrence Shares Health Challenge

Vicki Lawrence, comedienne and Emmy^® Award-winning actress reveals her struggle with chronic idiopathic urticarial or ICU.

She joins me with Dr. Beth Corn, Board-certified allergist, Associate Professor and member of AAFA’s National Board of Directors.

CLICK HERE FOR MY INTERVIEW WITH VICKI: http://bcove.me/vwg0asb5

Vicki Lawrence is no stranger to being quick on her feet and playing off improv lines on stage.  In fact, she’s a legend.

But when the comedienne and Emmy^® Award-winning actress was diagnosed with CIU, she was caught off-guard. 

Vicki, best known as the star of sitcom Mama’s Family…

And as part of the ensemble cast of the The Carol Burnett Show, known for inducing uncontrollable belly laughs.

And, more recently, appearing on Hannah Montana. 

She was diagnosed with CIU four years ago.  It appeared out of the blue and can happen to anyone.

Vicki wants to help motivate others to talk to their doctors about their symptoms as she did.

CIU is characterized by hives that spontaneously occur without an identifiable cause and reoccur for six weeks or more.

Symptoms come and go unpredictably. They include red, itchy hives on the skin which can last months and even years.

In the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 1.5 million people suffer from CIU.

Now, Vicki is partnering with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Genentech to share her experience with CIU to encourage people to have a robust and meaningful dialogue with their medical specialist as part of a new national campaign called CIU & You.

CIU & Youis an educational program focused on supporting the specific needs of people who have CIU.

It aims to empower patients to talk to their doctors to discuss treatment options with an allergist or dermatologist.

The program also provides a downloadable symptom tracker and discussion guide for patients to use when talking with doctors.

CIU & Youis developed in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), and made possible by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Genentech. For additional information, visit www.CIUandYou.com.

For more information, speak with your doctor to better understand the disease and potential treatments.

 

More About Vicki Lawrence

Vicki Lawrence is a comedienne and Emmy^® Award-winning actress. She is famous for her role on The Carroll Burnett Show and Mama’s Family, and, more recently, on Hannah Montana. In 2010, Lawrence was diagnosed with CIU. For her official bio, please visit http://www.vickilawrence.com/VickisBio2013.html.

 

More About Dr. Corn

Dr. Beth Corn is a Board Certified Allergist practicing in New York City and an Assistant Professor of Medicine with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. She serves on the national board of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

You may be surprised to learn something new about Vicki Lawrence and your health by watching the interview here: http://bcove.me/vwg0asb5

Visit www.CIUandYou.com for more information.

  MARIA DORFNER is the founder of NewsMD and Healthy Within Network.  She can be reached at maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

“When We Tell Stories…People Listen.”