Cycle III accreditation indicates better outcomes for chest pain patients

Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital today became the first hospital in Texas and one of a handful in the world to be named a Cycle III Chest Pain Center -- the highest accreditation possible for treatment of chest pain -- by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

To patients, the designation means that Texas Health Arlington Memorial ranks among the best in the world at rapid recognition and collaborative treatment of heart attack. Nationally, accreditation by the Society of Chest Pain Centers is linked to better patient outcomes and more lives saved, according to an Emory University School of Medicine study published in the American Journal of Cardiology in July.

Starting with the first call for help to 911, medical professionals across multiple disciplines snap to action: Paramedics administer life-saving therapies even before the patient reaches the hospital, and physicians and nurses in the emergency room and cardiac catheterization laboratory begin preparing for the patient before he or she arrives.

"Every second counts when it comes to treating a heart attack -- time is heart muscle," said Hoyt Frenzel, M.D., medical director of the Emergency Department and co-chair of the Chest Pain Center at Texas Health Arlington Memorial.

Collaboration between emergency medical providers and the hospital's emergency department, cardiac catheterization lab, cardiac intensive care unit, telemetry and cardiac rehabilitation unit is critical to the success of chest pain centers.

"We're innovators when it comes to treating heart patients," said Kirk King, FACHE, president of Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. "We have worked with local emergency medical providers, who now administer aspirin therapy in the field before the patient arrives at the emergency room door. The responding paramedics also transmit an electrocardiogram from the patients' home to the ER. Once the patient arrives at the hospital, we perform diagnostic cardiac tests at the bedside, which allows us to reach a definitive diagnosis quicker.

Online Tool from U.S. Preventive Medicine Helps Individuals Promote and Maintain Healthier Lifestyles

At a time when growing numbers of Americans want to improve their health, here is a perfect New Year's gift of real and lasting value -- a subscription to The Prevention Plan, a new online wellness and health management tool.

Developed by U.S. Preventive Medicine, the leader in disease prevention, The Prevention Plan is the first-of-its kind health program solely focused on preventive care. The program enables individuals to determine their top health risks and receive a customized plan and ongoing personal attention to lower those risks and become healthier.

With this tool, individuals prioritize their health risks through a comprehensive health evaluation that includes a health risk questionnaire, blood tests, biometrics, and physician review and recommendations. At the heart of the intervention strategy is a nurse advocate who works closely with participants by telephone and online to boost the effectiveness of the program's hands-on action plans. The advocate also educates, motivates, and helps participants navigate the complex maze of healthcare.

Other tools include alerts for preventive screenings, reward programs, and discounts with national partners.

"Even as Americans are reining in spending in response to current economic conditions, record numbers of them are expressing an interest in taking better care of themselves and lowering their ever-rising healthcare costs," said Christopher Fey, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Preventive Medicine. "The Prevention Plan is the perfect tool to help them achieve both of those goals."

U.S. Preventive Medicine designed the program to become a private, secure, online depository for individuals to store their medical information and track their progress over time. Since The Prevention Plan is independent of other forms of insurance, all information is completely confidential.

A monthly subscription to The Prevention Plan is $29.45 per month. For more information, please visit www.thepreventionplan.com

Longevity Seekers Advised to Consume Modest Doses of Red Wine Molecules in Dietary Supplements Rather than Mega-Dose Resveratrol Alone

According to the latest science, resveratrol pill users are best advised to consume modest doses of resveratrol plus an array of antioxidant molecules as typically provided in 3 to 5 glasses of aged, red wine, rather than resveratrol alone.

The most recent study shows mega-dose resveratrol alone fails to prolong the life of laboratory mice. In fact, mega-doses shortened the life of animals compared to a standard calorie diet with no resveratrol.
"While resveratrol an antioxidant molecule concentrated in red wine (about 1 milligram per glass), is touted for its health properties, partially explaining the French Paradox (why French wine drinkers have cardiac mortality rates 30% lower than North Americans despite their high-calorie, high-fat diets), it is not the sole molecule responsible for longevity," says Bill Sardi, spokesperson for Longevinex(R), a leading brand of resveratrol dietary supplement.

"The total array of red wine molecules found in the best red wine, about 60 milligrams per 5-ounce glass, or 180-300 milligrams in 3 to 5 glasses, is the suggested healthy dosage range," says Sardi.

Consistently, studies show modest doses of red wine lower mortality rates over abstention or over-consumption. [American Journal Epidemiology 1986 Sep; 124(3):481-9] Red wine pills offer the advantage of no alcohol, no calories or sulfite preservatives.

The negative effect upon lifespan with mega-dose resveratrol may emanate from over-inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), an inflammatory factor. Excessive TNF leads to inflammation, while too little impairs the immune system, says Sardi.

"We know that over-inhibition of TNF in humans increases the risk for lymphoma (cancer that originates in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell)," says Sardi.
"When laboratory mice were given mega-dose resveratrol they did not live as long and largely succumbed to lymphoma. Resveratrol is a known TNF inhibitor," adds Sardi.

Borders and Waldenbooks Stores to Host New Year's Eve Parties for Kids

Most Borders and Waldenbooks stores will host free, family-friendly New Year's Eve parties for kids on Wednesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 2 p.m. The events will include fun New Year's-themed activities for kids of all ages and are a great opportunity for families to spend an enjoyable -- and affordable -- afternoon together.

The parties will kick off with age-appropriate arts and crafts activities, including coloring for younger children and projects that invite older children to create their own New Year's Eve party hats, noisemakers and countdown clocks. Next, kids seven and under will have a story time, during which they will enjoy beloved classics such as "Goodnight Moon," "Corduroy" and "Harold and the Purple Crayon."

While the younger crowd settles in for story time, older children can participate in seasonally themed activities -- a brief foreign language lesson that teaches kids how to say "Happy New Year" in Japanese, Italian, Turkish, Swahili and a variety of other languages and a "predict the future" game that encourages kids to think about what will happen in 2009. The party will also include a festive parade, giving kids a chance to sing and show off their party hats and noisemakers, and -- since no New Year's Eve party is complete without a countdown -- kids will wrap-up the party by counting down from ten and ringing in the new year a few hours early.

In honor of the party, the Seattle's Best Coffee cafes -- located in nearly all Borders superstores -- will be offering free samples of beverages and baked goods throughout the event. To find out if your local store is hosting a New Year's Eve party for kids, click the Store Locator tab on Borders.com and search for your favorite store, then click on the store's page to view a list of upcoming events.

Events in Chicago Christmas weekend

Friday - Dec 26
Jersey Boys
2:00 PM - LaSalle Bank Theatre (formerly Shubert)
Invite friends | Buy tickets

MacAbre
7:00 PM - The Pearl Room
Invite friends | Buy tickets

Chrisette Michele
7:30 PM - House of Blues - Chicago
Invite friends | Buy tickets

Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks
7:30 PM - United Center
Invite friends | Buy tickets

Jersey Boys
8:00 PM - LaSalle Bank Theatre (formerly Shubert)
Invite friends | Buy tickets

The New Global Elite

Newsweek's First List of 50 People Who Will Change the World

Newsweek's first ever list of the world's 50 most powerful people lays out a roadmap for how the world works today. The December 29, 2008-January 5, 2009 double issue, "The New Global Elite" (on newsstands Monday, December 22), opens with an essay by Editor, Jon Meacham who looks at the history of power, how it is earned and how it transforms those who have it. Meacham also explains how the list of new global elite was determined.

Newsweek correspondents from around the world put together a highly subjective list of the most powerful people who will figure in the era over which President-Elect Barack Obama will preside.

"It is arbitrary, but the choices are well-considered, and each, we believe, represents a thread in the new global tapestry," Meacham said.
"Some are utterly surprising; others are not. Perhaps most important, each meets the test of power as we have just defined it: they are men and women who are either in the business of bending others to their will or who are seeking to rearrange reality in ways they find more congenial. They are in command, or they seek control (and there is, naturally, more than a little overlap; the features are not mutually exclusive)."

The list of fifty is made up of global figures who were not selected to delineate an elite based on wealth, social class, or educational credentials.

"The figures in this issue are global, and they are chosen on merit," Meacham adds.

"Many of the names here, it is true, are well-off, move in what might be considered high circles and went to celebrated schools. But many began life in obscurity (see, for instance, the 44th president of the United States) and have risen to prominence through a combination of determination and good fortune."

The list includes:

-- Barack Obama. Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria breaks down what the newly elected 44th President of the United States will need to do to become a truly influential figure.

-- Ben Bernanke, Jean-Claude Trichet and Masaaki Shirakawa. Contributing Editor Robert J. Samuelson explores why a trio of central bankers will likely decide the fate of the global economy next year.

-- Hillary and Bill Clinton. Senior Editor Jonathan Alter looks at how the most powerful couple in politics may find the times suited to their unmatched skills.

-- Osama bin Laden. Despite having kept a low profile recently, and lost many of his top lieutenants, his ideology continues to inflict monstrous harm.

-- John Lasseter. Assistant Editor Jennie Yabroff explains why Pixar's animation chief has immense soft power and why escapist fare does well in recessions.

-- Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Abu Dhabi's ruler has something everyone wants right now -- cash with which to invest in ailing blue-chip companies.

-- E.A. Adeboye. Senior Editor Lisa Miller looks Nigeria's most successful preacher and the wildfire spread of Pentecostalism, the world's fastest growing religion.

-- Vladimir Putin. Russia's leader talks a big game and has the military to back it up, but faces a softening economy as oil prices plummet

-- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's Supreme Leader is the real force to be reckoned with in Tehran.

-- Shahrukh Khan. Bollywood's biggest star spreads a message of openness and tolerance to some of the world's most closed societies.

"The History of Howard Stern Act II" to Air Exclusively on SIRIUS XM Radio

Act II of the award-winning series celebrating the life and career of 'The King of all Media' showcases the beginning of Stern's meteoric rise

Rare audio from Howard's personal vault plus exclusive new interviews with David Letterman, Jon Bon Jovi, William Shatner, Joan Rivers and other celebrities

SIRIUS XM Radio announced this week that it will broadcast The History of Howard Stern Act II, a rare behind-the-scenes look at the life, career and achievements of Howard Stern.

The History of Howard Stern Act II picks up after Howard's firing at WNBC in 1985 and takes an in depth look at the beginning of Howard's legendary run at K-Rock. It premieres on December 22nd at 6:00 am ET on Howard 100 and 6:00 am PT on Howard 101, through January 2nd.

The History of Howard Stern Act II will air in 10 separate original parts, with one installment airing each day that week and replaying continuously all day, night plus weekends. Howard 100 and Howard 101 are available on XM Radio as part of "The Best of SIRIUS" package.

"The History of Howard Stern Act II is an epic broadcast that will blow fans away," said Stern. "This is history recreated and brought to life. This could only be done on SIRIUS XM."

"Howard Stern is the most innovative broadcaster of our time," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SIRIUS XM Radio. "The History of Howard Stern is a behind-the-scenes look at the years that made Howard 'The King of all Media.'"

Act II highlights include the arrivals of Stern Show favorites Sam Kinison and Jessica Hahn; The Channel 9 Show; The FCC Freedom Rally; plus the infamous "funeral" for Philadelphia radio personality John DeBella.

Narrated by Jim Forbes, the famed voice of VH-1s Behind the Music, The History of Howard Stern Act II features a vast array of rare, never-before heard audio plus exclusive interviews and commentary from Howard, The Stern Show staff, family, former colleagues as well as the celebrities who have witnessed Stern's meteoric rise to superstardom firsthand including David Letterman, Jon Bon Jovi, Alec Baldwin, William Shatner, Richard Belzer, John Stamos, Jessica Hahn, Andrew Dice Clay, Richard Simmons, Joe Walsh, Richard Lewis, Joan Rivers, Gilbert Gottfried, Sandra Bernhard, David Brenner, Norm MacDonald, Carly Simon, Penn Jillette, Dee Snider and more.

Visit www.sirius.com/howardstern for a behind-the-scenes look at The History of Howard Stern Act II.