American top cardiologist Dr. Goldberg

Hey — American Heart Month may be over, but taking care of your heart is a year-round job! I recently interviewed Dr. Nieca Goldberg for our Appetite for Health syndicated broadcast series (which, by the way, you can catch on ION Television and The Daily Buzz morning show). Dr. Goldberg is an associate professor of medicine and the medical director of New York University’s Women’s Heart Program, the co-medical director of the 92nd Street Y’s Cardio Rehabilitation Program, and a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red” campaign.  She recently teamed with Quaker to promote heart health on Quaker’s facebook page.  Below are some excerpts from our interview. – Katherine KB: Why is heart health such an important issue? Dr. G: Recent research shows that risks for heart disease can begin to appear as early as age nine and as a cardiologist, I see people of all ages being affected by it. That’s why I’ve partnered with Quaker Oats because they want everyone to know that you are never too young or too old to start taking care of your heart. KB: What are some of your tips for being heart healthy? Dr. G:  First and foremost, I always recommend that my patients start their day off right with a whole grain breakfast, like oatmeal.  3 grams of soluble fiber from oatmeal daily when combined with a diet low in saturated fat and physical activity lowers cholesterol.  I also recommend that you get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, which can be as easy as a brisk walk with your dog, a class at your local fitness center or running around with the kids. KB: For someone who has never thought about preventing heart disease, where do you recommend they start? Dr. G: Education is the first step. New research, tips and tools are readily available all of the time to help better manage your health, including risk of heart disease. Many educational resources are free online. The Quaker Facebook page (Facebook.com/Quaker) features access to the Everyday Health (EDH) Your Heart Health Toolkit, offering the EDH Healthy-Heart Checkup Quiz, an educational tool to help people understand heart health.  It also includes recipes for every meals and more to promote sound nutrition and lifestyle choices. It’s a great place to get started on your journey to living a heart-healthy lifestyle.  Also, be sure to get regular physicals with your doctor and have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked. KB: Are there specific questions patients should ask their doctors when having a physical? Dr. G: Definitely make sure to have your blood pressure monitored, as well as your weight and other important tests including glucose and cholesterol which your doctor might deem necessary. Also, I recommend each patient write down their list of concerns they might have to share with their doctor. Remember, no one knows your body as well as you do —  so make sure you help your doctor by writing down health concerns and symptoms you noticed. No symptom is too silly. KB: For many Americans, starting a heart healthy diet can often be overwhelming.  You’ve talked a lot about fiber – what does it mean for a product to be a “good” or “excellent” source of certain nutrients such as fiber? How does that play into a consumer’s daily requirements? Dr. G: According to the FDA, if a product is a good source of a particular vitamin or mineral, this means it contains 10-19 percent of the daily value of that nutrient while an excellent source means that it contains at least 20 percent of the daily value. KB: Recently, the American Heart Association announced the release of the 2011 Guidelines for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women.  Are there any specific dietary guidelines that you recommend for women who want to help prevent heart disease? Dr. G: For all my patients I recommend a diet packed with whole grains and lean proteins, but also one that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and added sugar. Strive to get more than four cups of fruits and vegetables daily, three servings of whole grains a day and fish twice a week. – Many thanks to Dr. Goldberg!!