Category: Dr. Dunn Article
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Dr. Dunn Flu Shot Slides
About Dr. Dunn
Dr. Dunn oversees the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds’ clinical, care management and analytics functions, and is responsible for pursuing health and wellness initiatives and value-based strategies.
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Dr. Dunn Delivers a Special Message to Our Members Working on the Frontlines of COVID-19
Dr. Dunn delivers a special message to our members working on the frontlines of COVID-19.
About Dr. Dunn
Dr. Dunn oversees the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds’ clinical, care management and analytics functions, and is responsible for pursuing health and wellness initiatives and value-based strategies.
Read bio » -
Don’t Let Stress Put You at Risk for Hypertension
Don’t Let Stress Put You at Risk for Hypertension
Stress is part of everyday life, but the way you handle it—or don’t—can put your health at risk. Many reactions to stress, such as poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, can raise your risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure). Of course, creating a plan to lower your stress level can help you avoid hypertension altogether, or better manage it if you already have the condition.
Know Your Risk
Hypertension often does not have symptoms, which means you may not know you have the condition until you are screened by a doctor. You should have your blood pressure measured at least once a year, especially if you have any of the following risk factors:
- Family history of hypertension
- Excess weight
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension is Hazardous to Your Health
If left unchecked, hypertension can lead to a number of serious—sometimes life-threatening—conditions, such as:
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Vision impairment
- Sexual dysfunction
- Bone loss
News You Can Use
Stress Tied to Heart Disease, Especially in People Under Age 50
Stress may increase the risk for heart disease, especially in people under age 50. A recent study in The BMJ found that a person with a stress disorder was 29 percent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than his or her sibling without a stress disorder, and 37 percent more likely than those in the general population.
Veggies, Fruits and Grains Keep Your Heart Pumping
Using health data from some 16,000 people, a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found those who ate plant-based diets reduced their chance of developing heart failure by 41 percent. Those who ate diets high in meat, fried and processed foods had a 72 percent increased risk of heart failure.
Exercise Is Key to Maintaining Weight Loss
People who have lost weight and want to keep it off need regular physical activity, according to a study in Obesity. Three groups of people were analyzed: those who lost 30 pounds or more and kept it off for more than a year; those who were of normal weight; and those who were overweight or obese. The study found that the people who had lost weight and kept it off walked about 12,000 steps per day; normal-weight adults registered about 9,000 steps per day; and those who were overweight or obese walked about 6,500 steps per day.
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Dr. Van H. Dunn, Chief Medical Officer, Talks Mind-Body Connection
Dr. Van H. Dunn, Chief Medical Officer, Talks Mind-Body Connection
Physicians and other healthcare professionals have long seen a correlation between physical and mental health. In the past decade or so, numerous studies have confirmed this link and have led to improved treatment options. For example, it’s not uncommon today for doctors to recommend that hypertensive patients improve their diet while also instructing them to practice stress–reduction techniques. We’ve learned that high stress levels alone can trigger a spike in blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Of course, your Benefit Fund has always embraced whole–person care, which is why our Wellness Member Assistance Program offers health fairs, seminars, classes, presentations and workshops at your workplace that address both physical and mental health. But often, a one-time workshop is not enough. If you’re struggling with stress, depression or other mental health issues and don’t know where to turn for help, there’s Teladoc, our free telehealth service that provides you with support, by phone or video conferencing, in the comfort of your home. Teladoc connects you with a licensed healthcare professional where and when you need it, saving you a trip to an office.
To learn more about Teladoc or to sign up, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Teladoc. If you’d like more information about upcoming wellness workshops and other resources, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Wellness or call (646) 473-9200.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Don’t Miss Dr. Dunn’s Latest Healthy Living Spotlight Video
In the most recent installment of our online video series, Dr. Van H. Dunn, our Chief Medical Officer, highlights the benefits of using your Teladoc benefit when you can’t reach your doctor. Dr. Dunn discusses the convenience of the service as well as the wide range of issues treated. Other videos in the series focus on the importance of getting a flu shot, how to spot the warning signs of diabetes and high blood pressure, and more. To view all the Healthy Living Spotlight videos, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/dr-dunn.
