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Clinical Decision Support System Alerts

bberendsen@ideazonemarketing.com (Bob Berendsen) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 20:22:46 GMT

Clinical Decision Support System Alerts

HD. After week (W) 96, participants transitioned to daily B/F/TAF to assess whether efficacy and safety would be maintained on this STR that is guidelines-recommended for PLWH with eGFR > 30 mL/min.

Methods. Virologically suppressed adult PLWH with ESRD on chronic HD who completed W96 on E/C/F/TAF enrolled in the B/F/TAF extension for 48 weeks. Efficacy was assessed as the proportion of participants with virologic suppression (HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL). Safety was assessed throughout the study, PK was assessed using sparse sampling at W4, 24 and 48.

Results. 55 enrolled, 36 completed E/C/F/TAF, 10 entered the B/F/TAF extension. The median age was 55 yrs (range 34-63); median time on HD was 4 yrs (range 2-16). All ten participants on B/F/TAF had HIV-1 RNA < 50 c/mL (95% CI 69%, 100%) at W48. All participants had at least 1 adverse event (AE); most were grade 1 or 2 in severity. One participant had a grade 3 AE and 3 had serious AEs; none were considered related to study drug by the investigator. One participant had AEs attributed to study drug (malaise grade 1 and nausea grade 2), which resolved and did not lead to discontinuation of study drug. There were no clinically relevant changes in fasting lipids. In participants with evaluable data (n=2-5 per timepoint), mean bictegravir trough concentrations were lower compared to PLWH not on HD but remained 4- to 7-fold higher than the established protein-adjusted 95% effective concentration (paEC95) of 162 ng/mL against wild-type virus.

Conclusion. A once daily regimen of B/F/TAF maintained virologic suppression in PLWH on chronic HD. B/F/TAF was well-tolerated with no discontinuations. B/F/ TAF may be an effective, safe and convenient once daily STR and ameliorate the need for dose adjustment in appropriate PLWH who require chronic HD.

Disclosures. Joseph J. Eron, MD, Gilead Sciences (Consultant, Research Grant or Support)Janssen (Consultant, Research Grant or Support)Merck (Consultant)ViiV Healthcare (Consultant, Research Grant or Support) Aimee Wilkin, MD, MPH, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member)GlaxoSmithKline (Grant/Research Support)Janssen (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member)Pfizer (Grant/Research Support) Moti Ramgopal, MD FACP FIDSA, AbbVie (Speaker’s Bureau)Allergan (Speaker’s Bureau)Gilead Sciences Inc. (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Speaker’s Bureau)Janssen (Speaker’s Bureau)Merck (Consultant)Viiv Healthcare (Consultant) Olayemi Osiyemi, M.D, GlaxoSmithKline (Advisor or Review Panel member, Speaker’s Bureau)ViiV Healthcare (Advisor or Review Panel member, Speaker’s Bureau) Jihad Slim, MD, Abbvie (Speaker’s Bureau)Gilead (Speaker’s Bureau)Jansen (Speaker’s Bureau)Merck (Speaker’s Bureau)ViiV (Speaker’s Bureau) David Asmuth, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Edwin DeJesus, MD, Gilead Sciences (Advisor or Review Panel member) Polina German, PharmD, Gilead Sciences (Employee) Christiana Blair, MS, Gilead Sciences (Employee, Shareholder) Christoph C. Carter, MD, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Diana M. Brainard, MD, Gilead Sciences (Employee) Sean E. Collins, MD, MS, Gilead Sciences (Employee) Hal Martin, MD, MPH, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) 1003.

BIC/FTC/TAF Maintains Viral Suppression in Patients with Documented M184V/I Mutations: A Real World Experience Nicholas Chamberlain, MD1 ; James B. Brock, MD, MSCI, FACP1 ; Leandro A. Mena, MD, MPH1 ; 1 University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

Session: P-47. HIV:

Treatment Background. The M184V/I mutation is a common mutation in treatment-experienced patients with HIV and confers high-level resistance to lamivudine and emtricitabine. Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of bictegravir (BIC)/emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in a real-world setting in achieving and maintaining viral suppression in patients with documented M184V/I mutations.

Methods. This case series is comprised of treatment-experienced HIV-positive patients with documented historical or newly-identified M184V/I mutations who were placed on BIC/FTC/TAF as a switch strategy or as therapy for patients who had failed a prior regimen. Patients with any resistance to tenofovir or bictegravir were excluded. Our primary outcome was sustained viral suppression at 12 months after initiation of BIC/FTC/TAF.

Results. We included 33 patients (94% black, 52% male, median age 49, range 36-63) with an M184V/I mutation. The majority (91%) showed sustained viral suppression at 12 months of treatment. Non-adherence to medication was the common factor in all three cases of treatment failure. One patient developed an R263K mutation while on therapy, which conferred low-level resistance to bictegravir. There were no other instances of newly-acquired resistance to any of the components of BIC/FTC/TAF.

Conclusion. Our results demonstrate high success rates of BIC/FTC/ATF in achieving and maintaining viral suppression in patients with documented M184V/I mutations who adhere to medications in a real-world setting with a single instance of new treatment-emergent resistance to bictegravir. These findings are congruent with reported sub-group analysis in clinical trial data and support the use of BIC/FTC/TAF in patients with M184V/I mutations.

Disclosures. Leandro A. Mena, MD, MPH, Binx Health (Grant/Research Support)Evofem (Grant/Research Support)Gilead Science (Consultant, Grant/ Research Support, Speaker’s Bureau)GSK (Grant/Research Support)Janssen (Grant/ Research Support)Merck (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)Roche Molecular (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)SpeedDx (Grant/Research Support)ViiV Healthcare (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Speaker’s Bureau)

1004. Clinical Decision Support System Alerts for HIV Retention in Care – A Pilot Implementation Research Study Michael Leonard, MD1 ; Rachel P. Weber, PhD2 ; Laurence Brunet, PhD2 ; Bernard Davis, PhDc, MBA3 ; Christopher Polk, MD1 ; Joel Wesley Thompson, MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA, MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA4 ; Jennifer S. Fusco, BS2 ; Tammeka Evans, MoP5 ; Pedro Eitz Ferrer, PhD, Master of Health Communication6 ; Rodney Mood, BS, MBA2 ; Gregory Fusco, MD, MPH2 ; 1 Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina; 2 Epividian, Inc., Durham, North Carolina; 3 RAO Community Health, Charlotte, North Carolina; 4 Amity Medical Group, Charlotte, North Carolina; 5 ViiV Healthcare, Research Triangle Park, NC; 6 TBWA/WORLDHEALTH, New York, New York

Session: P-47.

HIV: Treatment Background. Clinical decision support system (CDSS) alerts may help retain people living with HIV (PLWH) in care. A system of CDSS alerts utilizing the CHORUS™ portal was developed to identify PLWH at risk of being lost to care. To evaluate feasibility for a larger scale study, a before and after implementation research pilot study was implemented in the OPERA Cohort at three clinic sites in a southeastern US city.

Methods. Periods without intervention (before) or with CDSS alerts (after) were followed by 3 months of follow up. The study population consisted of PLWH with ≥ 1 electronic health record entry in the 2 years prior to, or during, the before or after period (Fig 1). To support clinicians through a discrete implementation strategy, alerts warning of suboptimal patient attendance were generated daily for the eligible PLWH at each site; providers or other clinic staff could respond to the alerts (Fig 2). Alerts, responses, and visits (i.e., meeting with provider or HIV lab measurement) were characterized. The proportion of PLWH with ≥ 1 visit in the before and after periods were compared at each site by Pearson’s Chi-square.

Results. A total of 12,230 PLWH were eligible (sites A: 11,271; B: 733; C: 1,344 PLWH), with > 75% in both the before and after periods. The ratio of alerts to responses was 11.9 at site A (2,245 alerts to 189 responses in 309 days; Fig 3A), and comparatively lower at sites B (756 alerts to 334 responses in 352 days, ratio=2.2; Fig 3B) and C (1,305 alerts to 896 responses in 246 days, ratio=1.5; Fig 3C). Responses to alerts were sporadic at sites A and B and consistent at site C. After the intervention, the proportion of PLWH with ≥ 1 visit stayed the same at site A (46% in both periods; p=0.47), decreased at site B (91% to 80%; p< 0.01), and increased at site C (72% to 81%; p< 0.01).

Conclusion. This pilot study was ecological by design: measures of retention in care were compared over two calendar periods, without accounting for changes in study populations, clinic characteristics, and policies in place over time (which could have impacted clinic attendance). Though engagement with the CDSS was suboptimal at some sites, this implementation pilot study has demonstrated the ability to implement a CDSS aimed at identifying at-risk PLWH, while highlighting areas for improvement in future larger scale studies.

Disclosures. Joel Wesley Thompson, MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA, MHS, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA, Gilead (Shareholder, Speaker’s Bureau)Janssen (Speaker’s Bureau)Theratechnologies (Speaker’s Bureau)ViiV (Speaker’s Bureau) Tammeka Evans, MoP, ViiV Healthcare (Employee)

1005. Comparison of Weight Changes in Treatment-Naïve, HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Integrase Inhibitor-Based Therapy Versus Protease Inhibitor-Based Therapy Zachary Howe, PharmD1 ; Eric Farmer, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP2 ; Brooke Stevens, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP2 ; Emily Huesgen, PharmD, BCACP, AAHIVP3 ; 1 Indiana University Health AHC, Indianapolis, Indiana; 2 Indiana University Health LifeCare Clinic, Indianapolis, Indiana; 3 Indiana University Health, Ellettsville, Indiana

Session: P-47. HIV:

Treatment Background. Recent data regarding integrase inhibitor (INSTI) therapy indicate possible association with weight gain. The incidence and degree of weight gain seems to vary by both patient-specific and regimen-related factors, such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NRTI) backbone.

Methods. This was a retrospective chart review of previously ART-naïve Indiana University Health LifeCare Clinic patients who started an INSTI- or PI-based regimens from 1/1/13 to 7/31/19. Adult patients without prior ART exposure receiving an INSTI- or PI-based regimen for at least 10 months were included. The primary objective was weight gain at 12 months after starting ART. Subgroup analyses were conducted by INSTI, PI, or NRTI backbone utilized. Statistical testing included Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test and Chi Square analyses.

Results. The patient population (N=162) was predominately male and African American with relative immunocompetence, generally achieving viral suppression after 12 months of ART. Patients receiving PI-based therapy were more likely to be Asian American or Hispanic (p=0.04), and to receive a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based regimen (p=0.0034). No statistically significant difference in weight change was observed between INSTI- and PI-based regimens (median weight gain 5.1 kg vs 3.9 kg, p=0.52). The proportion of obese or overweight patients in the INSTI arm increased significantly as compared to baseline (p=0.00001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated significant increases in weight gain and clinically significant weight gain with tenofovir-based (tenofovir alafenamide and TDF) regimens compared to those with abacavir/lamivudine (p< 0.05).

Authors: Michael Leonard, Rachel P Weber, Laurence Brunet, Bernard Davis, Christopher Polk, Joel Wesley Thompson, Jennifer S Fusco, Tammeka Evans, Pedro Eitz Ferrer, Rodney Mood, Gregory Fusco.

Charlotte health expert works to break monkeypox stigma

bberendsen@ideazonemarketing.com (Bob Berendsen) — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 12:41:08 GMT

Charlotte health expert works to break monkeypox stigma

BY RACHEL LOYD FOR SPECTRUM NEWS 1 IN CHARLOTTE

PUBLISHED 5:45 AM ET AUG. 11, 2022

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wesley Thompson says his husband, Trey Owen, is his biggest cheerleader.

“Even when family was afraid because I was focusing on HIV/AIDS in the mid-80s, he absolutely stood by me,” he said. “Even though he was scared! We didn’t know a lot in the mid-80s.”

The physician assistant is also the HIV medical director of Amity Medical Group.

Even though there was little knowledge of the virus at the time, the origins of HIV trace back to before the 1980s outbreak. According to the National Library of Medicine, the first HIV case appeared as early as 1930.

Thompson, as a gay man who treated people during the height of the AIDS crisis, said today’s global outbreak of monkeypox reminds him of when the gay community was stigmatized and discriminated against.

“The same thing has happened with monkeypox. It’s been around since 1958 ,” he said. “And in Africa where it originated, mainly West Africa, it is a heterosexual infection or condition there.”

And like the '80s HIV/AIDS outbreak, which overwhelmingly affected gay and bisexual men , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this monkeypox outbreak is found mostly in men who have sex with other men.

“We have been able to isolate several rave parties that happened in Spain, Belgium and England where the virus, or monkeypox, started showing up, and then it has now jumped over to America,” Thompson said.

The latest data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows 122 cases statewide. More than 60 of the state’s cases are in Mecklenburg County.

Thompson said he does about 10 monkeypox tests per day, but because of the stigma around the virus, many people are hesitant to get tested, let alone vaccinated.

He said it’s up to health care professionals to educate people about the disease without isolating those most likely affected by it.

“Our messaging around this should be that while it started in that population, it is certainly going to move into the general population,” he said. “And we need to get a jumpstart on this and try to stop it before it becomes our next mini-epidemic.”

Health experts say monkeypox can infect anyone, since the virus is spread by skin-to-skin or intimate contact , like sexual intercourse. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be sexual contact – transfer can include kissing or cuddling for long periods of time.

Thompson said that contact is not so much from high-fives or bumping into someone.

“This is not something you should be worried about to go to the grocery store or shopping, even with our upcoming Pride celebration, to walk through the crowd,” he said.

Later this week, the state’s health department will launch a campaign on how to get vaccinated for monkeypox. Officials said the ads will run on social media, dating apps and other platforms LGBTQIA+ men are likely to visit.

Vaccines are available at Mecklenburg County Public Health Departments . The county received an additional 2,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine. With each vaccine requiring two doses, that's enough to administer them to 1,000 people. Appointments are needed in order to get one.

Loyd, R. 2022, August 11. Charlotte health expert works to break monkeypox stigma. Spectrum News 1. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2022/08/11/charlotte-health-expert-works-to-break-monkeypox-stigma

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

bberendsen@ideazonemarketing.com (Bob Berendsen) — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 18:44:45 GMT

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

What are STIs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that can be spread through unprotected sex, anal sex, and/or oral sex with someone infected with the disease. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are examples of STIs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2018 surveillance report that 22% of newborn deaths between 2017 to 2018 are due to syphilis. Moreover, the CDC reports that there is a 19% (1.8 million cases) increase in chlamydia, 63% (583,405 cases) increase in gonorrhea, 71% (35,063 cases) increase in primary and secondary syphilis, and 185% (1306 cases) increase in congenital syphilis from 2014. The CDC has designated the week of April 10-16, 2022 as STD Awareness Week.

How to prevent STIs?

Abstinence from sex (anal, vaginal, or oral)
Reduce the number of sex partners or mutual monogamy (mutual agreement to be sexually active with one partner)
Use of condoms (every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex)

Chlamydia is a parasite called Chlamydia trachomatis.

Symptoms
Sometimes symptoms can be felt after several weeks of infection.
Women
Abnormal vaginal discharge, burning urination.
Men
A discharge from penis, burning sensation while urinating, pain and swelling of one or both testicles
Diagnosis
A laboratory test is required
Urine sample
Cotton swab (vagina sample)

Gonorrhea is a gram-negative bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Symptoms
Rectal infections can include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, and painful bowel movement.
Women
Can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Vaginal discharge, burning sensation while urinating, and vaginal bleeding between periods
Men
A burning sensation while urinating. White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Painful or swelling in the testicles.
Diagnosis
A laboratory test is required
Urine sample
Cotton swab for throat and/or rectum (if oral and anal sex)

Syphilis is caused by a spirochaete bacterium called Treponema pallidum

Symptoms
Syphilis is divided into stages with different symptoms. The first two stages symptoms can be unnoticed because it can be mild.
Primary
A sore or sores at the original site of infection lasts 3-6 weeks.
Secondary
Skin rash on the bottom of hands and feet, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
Latent
No symptoms; can continue for years
Tertiary
Severe symptoms that can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body
Diagnosis
A laboratory test is required
Blood test
Fluids from syphilis sore (primary stage)

Who should be tested for STIs?

Chlamydia and gonorrhea routine annual screening is recommended for:

Younger than 25 years old and sexually active
Older than 25 years old, sexually active with more than one partner, or have a new partner
Pregnant
Gonorrhea-infected people should be tested for other STIs.

Syphilis: routine testing is recommended for:

Pregnant
Sexually active men who have sex with men
HIV positive and sexually active
Taking PrEP for HIV prevention

How to treat Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis?

Healthcare providers will prescribe antibiotics depending on the type of infection
The patient should abstain from sex for 7 days (chlamydia and gonorrhea)
Follow up with healthcare provider to make sure that the infection is cleared

Resources

“Chlamydia”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Read More
“Gonorrhea”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Read More
“Syphilis”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Read More

Common Misconceptions Of Naloxone And Instructions For Use

bberendsen@ideazonemarketing.com (Bob Berendsen) — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 20:27:38 GMT

Common Misconceptions Of Naloxone And Instructions For Use

What Is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Opioids are commonly used to treat pain, but when taken in large amounts, can result in slowed breathing, and potentially death. Examples of opioids that naloxone would help to reverse the effects include oxycodone (Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), heroin, and fentanyl.

Common Misconceptions about Naloxone

The availability of this medication encourages drug use - Access to Naloxone does NOT encourage drug use. Opioid overdose can happen with both legal and illegal use of opioid medications. Access to naloxone during an opioid overdose gives the patient a second chance at life.

Naloxone can be abused or misused - Naloxone is safe and effective for opioid overdose reversal with NO potential for abuse. Naloxone only works if the person has opioids in their system and has no harmful effect if opioids are absent.

Naloxone is difficult to obtain - Thanks to statewide standing orders in various states, including North Carolina, pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a prescription to anyone interested in having it for the safety of themselves or their loved ones. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about how to obtain Naloxone!

Naloxone is expensive - A variety of naloxone products (nasal spray, injection, auto-injection) are available to respond to an overdose. The most common brand name of naloxone is Narcan Nasal Spray. The cost of Narcan Nasal Spray differs based on insurance coverage, however, according to research from 2019, 49% of prescriptions for Narcan had a copay of $0. If you are uninsured and interested in obtaining Narcan, the average price is around $120 for 2 doses.

The NC Harm Reduction Coalition is a great resource if cost is a concern, as they offer free overdose rescue kits to patients at high risk of overdose. Learn More . It is important to note that if you are at risk of opioid overdose, you would not be able to administer naloxone for yourself and would need a friend or family member to administer this medication to you.

How To Use Naloxone

The instructions below, outline how to utilize Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray. Narcan nasal spray can be used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency with signs of pinpoint pupils, breathing problems including slowed or irregular breathing, or extreme sleepiness or inability to wake.

After administering Narcan nasal spray

Call 911 right away. Narcan does not replace the need for emergency medical attention!
If the person does not respond by waking up to voice or touch, another dose of Narcan Nasal spray may be given every 2-3 minutes if available. Each Narcan Nasal Spray has 1 dose and cannot be reused, so utilize a different Narcan Nasal Spray device.

Talk to your Pharmacist to see if Naloxone is right for you!

Your pharmacist can dispense naloxone to you today without a prescription from your doctor, and can help counsel on the proper use of Narcan nasal spray, or the various other formulations available. If you would like to have access to this life-saving medication for yourself or to help someone else you know who may be at risk of opioid overdose, talk to your pharmacist today!

Naloxone cannot be abused and is not a replacement for emergency medical services. Be sure to call 911 right away after administering Naloxone. Remember: you cannot administer naloxone to yourself if you are experiencing an overdose, so let a loved one know where you store naloxone, and how to administer it!

Resources

“Myths and Facts About Naloxone”, CVS Health – Read More
“How To Use Narcan”, Narcan.com – Read More
“Getting Naloxone From NCHRC”, NC Harm Reduction Coalition – Read More

Managing Your Cholesterol

bberendsen@ideazonemarketing.com (Bob Berendsen) — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:30:25 GMT

Managing Your Cholesterol

Introduction

We’ve all seen the Cheerios commercials, where Buzz the Bee cheerfully zooms around the kitchen table at breakfast while saying, “Cheerios can help lower your cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet!” But what exactly is cholesterol, why is it so important, and what can we do to manage it? I’ll let you in on a little secret – it takes more than just a bowl of Cheerios to keep your cholesterol under control, but you can do it!

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is used to make the cells in our body. It also plays a role in helping us digest our food and is important in helping our body make hormones, like estrogen and testosterone.1 While our body needs cholesterol to function, too much of a good thing can be harmful. Our liver is responsible for making the cholesterol our body needs; however, we also get cholesterol from the food we eat.1 Eating too many foods that are high in cholesterol can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in our body. When this happens, cholesterol starts to hang out in our blood vessels, blocking the flow of blood to our heart.2 If the heart is not able to receive the oxygen it needs from the blood, we may experience a heart attack, resulting in damage to the heart. For this reason, it is important to monitor our cholesterol and consider how we can best manage it to keep our body and heart healthy!

Good Cholesterol v. Bad Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol – low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol because it is the type of cholesterol that builds up in our blood vessels. HDL, or “good” cholesterol, sweeps LDL away from our blood vessels and brings it back to our liver, where it is broken down.3 In this way, HDL helps protect our blood vessels from the harmful buildup of LDL. Therefore, maintaining high levels of HDL and low levels of LDL in our body can prevent the buildup of cholesterol, keeping our hearts healthy.2 The best way to manage cholesterol is through a healthy diet and regular exercise! However, when we need a little extra help, there are a few medications we can turn to as well.

A Heart Healthy Diet – It’s More than Just Cheerios!

Making small changes to the way we eat can have a big impact on lowering our cholesterol. Foods that are high in saturated or trans fat – such as cheese, whole milk, fatty beef or pork, and fried or processed foods – can increase LDL.4 The next time you find yourself wandering the aisles at the grocery store, take a few moments to look at the nutrition label! The nutrition label lists the amount of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat each product contains. Swap out foods high in saturated or trans fat for those that contain unsaturated fat instead. Foods high in fiber can also help decrease LDL.3 While Cheerios are low in saturated fat and do not contain any trans fat or cholesterol, there are several other foods you should consider first! Examples of heart-healthy foods include low-fat dairy products, lean meat (chicken, turkey), fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, avocados, olive oil, and nuts.3,4

Move Your Body!

Staying active has a variety of health benefits, but can be especially important in helping to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol while also encouraging weight loss. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and aim to participate in 150 minutes of exercise per week – just 30 minutes 5 times a week!3 The exercise you choose should increase your heart rate. Examples include walking, running, swimming, or dancing. Consider taking a walk around your neighborhood or at your local park. If you prefer to exercise at home, look for fun exercise routines on YouTube or Pinterest. These often come with directions on how to complete each exercise. Don’t be afraid to try something new – your body will thank you!

Statins

f your cholesterol remains high despite making changes to your diet and exercise routine, your doctor may suggest starting a statin. Statins are medications that work to decrease LDL cholesterol.2 Common statins include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), and Pravachol (pravastatin). These medications are usually well-tolerated with few adverse effects.2 If you are struggling to manage your cholesterol with diet and exercise alone, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the medication options available to you.

Resources

“About Cholesterol”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Read More
“Blood Cholesterol”, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Read More
“Get Your Cholesterol Checked”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Read More
“The Skinny on Fats”, American Heart Association – Read More

iberiapatientpoint

Clinical Decision Support System Alerts

Clinical Decision Support System Alerts

Charlotte health expert works to break monkeypox stigma

Charlotte health expert works to break monkeypox stigma

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

What are STIs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)?

How to prevent STIs?

Chlamydia is a parasite called Chlamydia trachomatis.

Gonorrhea is a gram-negative bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Syphilis is caused by a spirochaete bacterium called Treponema pallidum

Who should be tested for STIs?

Common Misconceptions Of Naloxone And Instructions For Use

Common Misconceptions Of Naloxone And Instructions For Use

What Is Naloxone?

Common Misconceptions about Naloxone

How To Use Naloxone

﻿

After administering Narcan nasal spray

Managing Your Cholesterol

Managing Your Cholesterol

Introduction

What is Cholesterol?

Good Cholesterol v. Bad Cholesterol

A Heart Healthy Diet – It’s More than Just Cheerios!

Move Your Body!

Statins