Dr. Magdy Hanna, an interventional cardiologist at Minden Medical Center, shared insights on cardiovascular health during the Minden Lions Club’s noon meeting on January 18.
Dr. Hanna, originally from Egypt, discussed his medical journey, having attended Ross School of Medicine and completed residencies at St. John in Detroit. His expertise includes a cardiovascular fellowship at LSU Shreveport and interventional cardiology fellowship at Ascension St. John in Detroit in 2021. After two years of successful practice in Alexandria, Louisiana, he joined Minden Medical Center in September 2023, offering general cardiology prevention, treatment, and intervention for various cardiological issues.
Addressing the audience’s questions, Dr. Hanna highlighted the impact of salt, oil, and sugar on cardiovascular health. He emphasized that while table salt in meals isn’t concerning, hidden sodium in processed foods poses risks. He warned against the role of sugars in refined carbohydrates, linking them to insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular risks.
Dr. Hanna noted a concerning rise in heart attacks among young people due to childhood obesity. He recounted an 18-year-old patient with a massive heart attack during his fellowship, emphasizing the surprising nature of such cases.
“In my fellowship, we had an 18-year-old come in with a massive heart attack,” said Dr. Hanna. “My colleague repeated the EKG seven times because she could not believe that an 18-year-old could have a heart attack. I would’ve done the same thing.”
Discussing the extremes, Dr. Hanna mentioned “athletic heart” in professional athletes. The heart’s size increases, much like any other muscle, due to overtraining. If the heart muscle gets too thick, the heart may not have a large enough cavity for the blood to fill to keep it from collapsing. “You increase the risk of going into bad rhythms that can be fatal,” said Dr. Hanna.
He urged the audience to prioritize cardiovascular health by avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthful diet, regular exercise, and routine checkups.
The Minden Lions Club, known for hosting engaging speakers, convenes every Thursday at noon at the American Legion Memorial Hall, 119 W. Pine St. in downtown Minden.