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Addressing Diabetes, Heart Health Go Hand-in-Hand for American Heart Month

By Dr. Edleen Sarette-Exama, DNP, MSN RN, Care Coordinator, VNS Health Health Plans  Bronx Voice  February 18, 2025 BRONX - While February is Heart Health Month, given the statistics, heart health should really be a priority all year long.  In New York State alone, almost 18% of adults 65 and older report they have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and 27% of all deaths are the result of CVD. And here’s another alarming fact: While many factors can increase the chances of cardiovascular disease and stroke, people with diabetes have twice the chance of developing CVD compared to the population as a whole. As a registered nurse and care manager at the home- and community-based health care nonprofit VNS Health, I work with individuals who often suffer from multiple chronic illnesses. Diabetes in particular is  common, especially among people of color. Diabetes is a challenging disease to manage, and it can fee...
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Achieving a Gold Medal Mindset

Gold Medal Health Tips

-File Photo

By Dr. Jorge Aguilar 

Bronx Voice 

July 26, 2024


NEW YORK - The greatest athletes in the world will soon convene in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics to compete for gold medals, world records, and Olympic glory. They may seem superhuman on our screens, with powers granted to them seemingly from birth, but Olympic athletes will be the first to tell you that their success is largely (if not entirely!) dependent on key principles, which can help anyone achieve a gold medal mindset. 


Here are 4 of these key principles:


Doubts are Normal 


Believe it or not, even the greatest of Olympic athletes doubt themselves. They too experience thoughts like “am I good enough?” and “will I fail?” Their secret is not the absence of doubts, it is their response to doubts. Those who achieve at the highest levels accept the existence of these thoughts,  thank them for their opinion – and move forward anyway.



Nerves are Normal 


Olympic athletes may look calm and confident on screen, but believe me, they’re feeling very nervous. The key to their ability to perform is that they expect nerves. Rather than fighting a 2-front battle of their emotions and their opponent, great athletes allow themselves to feel the discomfort of nerves. This mindset liberates them to devote 100% of their attention and energy to outperforming their competitor.



Present Focus is Everything 


Past games or competitions are just memories and future plays haven’t happened yet. Success at a shot, hit, strike, stroke, jump, move, pass happens in the present. Right here, right now. Honing the ability to bring your focus to the present moment, or getting “in the zone,” is essential. This skill can be learned and improved through mindfulness practice.  



Asking For Help Is Not Weakness 


Many of us were taught since childhood to be tough and independent. Olympic athletes are no different, but their long, arduous road to the Olympic games were achieved with  support from a large village of people: coaches, training partners, mentors, nutritionists, therapists, romantic partners, family, and friends. Going it alone might sometimes be the fastest way to get somewhere, but tapping into your support network and going with others will take you to even greater heights. 


Whether you’re looking to elevate your performance in school or your career I hope these four keys to Olympic success will help you reach your own wins. 


Dr. Jorge Aguilar MD PhD is a Sports & Performance Psychiatrist at Montefiore Einstein. He is the Director of the Sports Mental Health Institute at Montefiore, and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. 




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