February 2025
February is Heart Month, a celebration that’s important to us at HonorHealth Foundation. Through the work of HonorHealth Heart Care, our specialists provide the most personalized and innovative cardiovascular care available. In great part, this exemplary heart care is made possible through the heartfelt generosity of donors and supporters.
HonorHealth Foundation is proud to celebrate more than four decades of partnering with donors to help them achieve their vision of advancing healthcare, fostering community well-being and making a lasting impact on the patients who walk through the doors of HonorHealth.
From our hearts to yours, we wish you good health.
Innovative heart procedure has patient feeling like new
For more than a year, Marie had been putting off heart surgery. Her leaky aortic valve made her tired and short of breath. Left untreated, she would very likely suffer a heart attack.
The thought of open-heart surgery held her back — but not out of fear for her own well-being. As the primary caregiver for her husband, who suffered permanent disability from stroke, she needed to be strong and at her best.
“The aortic valve is the front door of your heart,” explains David Rizik, MD, chief, complex interventional cardiology, pictured here with Marie. “Every drop of blood in your body has to go through the aortic valve.”
Marie’s aortic valve could not close tightly, allowing blood to leak backward into the left ventricle with each heartbeat, a condition called aortic regurgitation. The condition forces the heart to work harder to pump blood with every beat, leading to an enlarged heart and eventually, heart failure.
Previously, the only treatment for aortic regurgitation was open-heart surgery. But Dr. Rizik had been studying a non-surgical, catheter-based technique to treat patients like Marie, who are not good surgical candidates for open heart surgery. The experimental J-Valve seemed to be the perfect option.
In this procedure, the J-Valve is delivered via catheter through the leg. Once in place, the patch is clipped over the leaky valve.
The procedure requires four hands in perfect coordination. Dr. Rizik was joined by Dr. Robert Riley, chief, complex cardiovascular surgery (pictured right).
“She trusted us,” says Dr. Rizik admiringly. “Marie was one of the first in the country to undergo this procedure and one of only a handful in the world.” And Marie is so glad she did.
“I was out of the hospital in less than two days and back home with no pain. In just a couple of months, I was back to running three miles every morning, no more shortness of breath. It was a miracle!”
Thanks to the generosity of our community, HonorHealth Heart Care will open its new home on the campus of HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center.
Sneaky salt – how to identify and reduce sodium in your diet and manage your blood pressure
For those with high blood pressure, controlling your sodium intake is important. Why? Too much sodium is known to elevate blood pressure. It encourages your body to retain fluid, which increases the volume of fluid in your blood, leading to more strain on your blood vessels, which causes raised blood pressure.
Sirisha Vadali, MD (pictured right), a cardiologist and independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff, explains what foods to watch out for – and some of them may surprise you!
Where sodium is hiding in your diet
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that high levels of sodium are found in pretty much any type of fast food, such as burgers, pizzas, fries, tacos and so on. Maybe you’ve already reduced or even cut these types of foods from your diet in an effort to control your blood pressure. But what about other places you might not expect?
Here are five food sources that contain high sodium:
- Cold cuts and cured meats. These meats are one of the top contributors of sodium in the U.S. diet. “Even if you have a sandwich on bread that is high in whole grains, the cold cut itself will raise your blood pressure because of how much sodium is packed into each meat particle,” says Dr. Vadali.
- Canned soups, peanut butter and any processed foods. Sodium is added to these types of food to make it shelf-stable. This means any type of processed food is going to have more sodium, even if they are considered “low-sodium” on the label.
- Granola and nutrition bars. Many people assume that bars are healthy as a breakfast option or something to snack on. But that isn’t the case. “Many of the granola and nutrition bars on the market are high in sugar,” explains Dr. Vadali. “When you’re eating a lot of sugary, processed foods, the fructose actually increases your salt absorption.”
- Soy sauce. Did you know, on average, regular soy sauce contains around 1,000 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon? With a recommended limit of 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, a relatively small amount of soy sauce can quickly push you over the limit.
- Red meats. All red meats, including bacon, pork, beef, lamb, veal and venison, have sodium packed in each bite.
Heart-healthy replacements
So, now you know what you should watch out for when it comes to avoiding sodium to lower your blood pressure. But what are some better alternatives?
Try eating more fresh, non-processed foods like vegetables and fruits. Focus on high-fiber options such as avocados, apples, broccoli and leafy greens. Fiber has the added benefit of helping you stay full longer. Nuts can also be a healthy snack.
Love soy sauce? Try coconut aminos instead — it tastes like soy sauce but contains less sodium.
For red meat, you could substitute lentils, fish, tofu or leaner proteins like chicken or lean turkey.
“You also don’t have to cut out red meat completely,” adds Dr Vadali. “But I would recommend limiting your portion to about a fistful of meat per serving and also limit your intake to once or twice a week. This strategy can help lower your blood pressure.”
Learn more about how HonorHealth Foundation is expanding heart care for our community.
Top five tips for surviving the flu
If, despite your best efforts, the flu visits your family this season, perhaps there’s some comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
Hospital visits with “influenza-like” illness are up nearly eight percent over last year, Maricopa County Public Health reports.
HonorHealth strongly recommends getting a flu shot this year. But, just in case, here are five tips from HonorHealth Medical Group on how to survive the flu:
Shop early. Gather some preparedness supplies while everyone is well. You’ll need tissues, fluids and over-the-counter medication to help with symptoms while the virus runs its course. Remember to have your favorite hot tea on hand.
See your primary care physician as soon as possible. Anti-viral medications make a difference in the severity of the flu but work best in the first 72 hours.
Isolate yourself or your family member. Stay home from work or school so you don’t infect others. Follow good hand washing practices and try not to hang out with the rest of your family while you are sick. Get some fresh air into the room where you are riding out the flu, too.
Have a well person in your house clean and disinfect surfaces to protect other family members. If you are caring for a sick family member, follow good hand washing practices and keep your hands away from your face and eyes.
Recognize complications from the flu. Adults who are 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with some chronic medical conditions such as asthma are at a higher risk of developing complications from the flu.
Talk to your physician. Monitor for complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections. Seek emergency medical attention for trouble breathing, mental confusion or sudden dizziness.
Find an HonorHealth Urgent Care near you.
Help improve the cancer patient experience
HonorHealth Cancer Care is creating a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), for volunteers that are passionate about improving the healthcare experience for all patients and families.
The goal is to create a small, diverse group of current patients, survivors, family members and caregivers that can provide feedback on the patient experience.
PFAC meetings will take place quarterly at a HonorHealth Cancer Care location across the Valley, with a virtual participation option. The meetings will be facilitated by Kristen Vann, Director of Oncology Programmatic Development, with the first meeting to be held in April 2025.
Complete the PFAC application.
Get a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state taxes!
Donations to HonorHealth Desert Mission are eligible for the Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization Tax Credit!
Give $470 (if you file your taxes individually) or $938 (if you file your taxes jointly), and you can receive your gift back as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state taxes.
Your gift will support programs including the Desert Mission Food Bank, Adult Day Healthcare and the Lincoln Learning Center.
Support HonorHealth Desert Mission today!
Breakfast with the President
Wednesday, February 26
HonorHealth Corporate Office
You are invited to join Jared Langkilde, president and CEO of HonorHealth Foundation, for a complimentary breakfast to learn more about HonorHealth and how our community healthcare system is delivering on the promise to improve health and well-being, fuel medical breakthroughs, drive innovative research and much more!
Space is limited. Please reserve your seat today!
Tour de Scottsdale
Saturday, April 12, 2025
WestWorld of Scottsdale
The 2nd annual HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale is coming to town on April 12, 2025! This fun fundraising activity offers challenging and scenic courses that will undoubtedly push the limits of cyclists with routes of 32 miles or 62 miles.
Ride and raise money for HonorHealth Foundation — discounted registration for youth and military/first responders! Find out more and join Team HonorHealth Foundation!
Learn more or register for the Tour de Scottsdale today!
HonorHealth Foundation Pro-Am
Friday, April 25, 2025
Grayhawk Golf Club
Help make great care possible for patients and families in our community by joining us Friday, April 25, 2025, for a fabulous round of golf at Grayhawk Golf Club at the HonorHealth Foundation Pro-Am!
Your Pro-Am registration or sponsorship benefits the HonorHealth Foundation Greatest Needs Fund, which gives HonorHealth the ability to respond quickly to do the most good for patients and staff.
Event registration includes a morning or afternoon shotgun start, a player gift package, plus food and drinks served on-course throughout the day.
Reserve your spot in the HonorHealth Pro-Am today!
Philanthropic gifts fuel our mission for finding cures,
saving lives and transforming healthcare.
Will you join us?
