Huntsville, AL (January 4, 2023) – Crestwood Medical Center was recently awarded a Certificate of Need from the Alabama State Health Planning & Development Agency to build a freestanding emergency department (FSED) in the Harvest community. Construction will begin soon with the facility to begin serving patients in 2024. The Crestwood Medical Center ER – Harvest will be located at the corner of Highway 53 and Burwell Road and will provide emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Once opened, the Crestwood Medical Center ER – Harvest will be the first freestanding emergency department in north Alabama and will bring emergency services closer to residents of one of the fastest growing communities in the state and will reduce patient wait-times at other emergency departments. The facility will offer the same services as the emergency department at Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville. Patients will also be able to check-in online to reserve their place in line.

Matthew Banks, Crestwood Medical Center Chief Executive Officer, said, “The leaders of this community have an incredible vision for the future of this area and we are honored to be a part of this rapid growth. Currently, residents depend on the heroic efforts of volunteer fire departments and local emergency medical services (EMS) for emergency healthcare. We are committed to bringing more access to healthcare services that the residents need and deserve.”

Emergency physicians, registered nurses, and other patient care professionals will staff the ER. Similar to any hospital emergency department, the new Crestwood ER will be equipped to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than urgent care facilities offer. The 11,047 square foot facility will have 10 private patient rooms with radiology and lab services on site as well as a helicopter pad for patient transfer as appropriate. Many emergency services can be effectively managed at a freestanding emergency department without the need for transfer to a traditional hospital setting. If a higher level of care is required, a patient can be transported quickly to Crestwood Medical Center or the facility of their choice. Doster Construction Company (with offices in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Nashville) has been retained for the project.

Huntsville, AL – The American Heart Association’s heart health checklist now includes new measures for better cardiovascular health. AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 checklist added healthy sleep as a necessary component of heart health and emphasized the importance of eating whole foods, vegetables, lean protein and more. The checklist also added vaping and exposure to secondhand smoke as risk factors to avoid.

Sleep is essential for cardiovascular health, proper brain function, and a strong immune system, but 35% of U.S. adults don’t get enough. Sleeping the recommended seven to nine hours a night can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, dementia, and depression. For more restful sleep, stop using electronic devices at least one hour before bed and keep a consistent bedtime and waking schedule.

Smoking traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and now vaping is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. In addition to chronic conditions like lung disease and some cancers, smoking is also linked to one third of all deaths from heart disease. Smoking hurts others, too. According to the AHA, half of U.S. children between ages three and 11 are exposed to secondhand smoke and vapor.

“A healthy heart is the foundation to overall health,” says Carisa Sparks, nurse practitioner with Crestwood Medical Group. “Getting adequate sleep, eating nutrient-dense foods and not smoking can help improve your cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases and conditions.”

Other key measures in AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 checklist for optimal heart health include 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, maintaining a healthy nody mass index (BMI) and managing blood pressure and blood sugar.

Crestwood Medical Center will be launching a 28-day heart challenge for Heart Month this February. Sign up now to get great ideas for daily actions to improve your heart health at https://www.crestwoodmedcenter.com/heart-challenge .

To book an appointment with a primary care provider, visit www.CrestwoodMedCenter.com or call (888) 261-3422.

Sources:

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/heart-health-guidelines-get-updated
https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2020posts/why-sleep-is-so-important-to-your-health.html

Huntsville, AL – Making new year’s resolutions is a common tradition, but 77% of people who make them, break them within just a few weeks. This year, focus on long-term lifestyle changes that can make a big impact on overall health and longevity.

“The start of a new year symbolizes a time for change, but adopting new, healthy habits isn’t limited to just one time of year,” says Ibukunoluwa Pickens, D.O., a primary care physician with Crestwood Medical Group Primary Care – Bailey Cove. “Even small, incremental changes in lifestyle can make a big difference in overall health.”

Dr. Pickens suggests adopting these seven habits for long-term healthy living:

• Eat well: Incorporate nutrient dense whole foods into your diet like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fish. Limit processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks which are linked to obesity and heart disease.
• Exercise regularly: Only 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise can prevent strokes, heart disease and help manage stress. Exercise can come in many forms like walking, biking, gardening and more. This year, find an activity you enjoy and look forward to that also increases your heart rate.
• Get better sleep: Low quality sleep is linked to an increased risk of obesity, weight gain and can negatively impact brain function. To improve the quality of your sleep, avoid caffeine at night, reducing screen time before bed and keep a consistent sleep schedule.
• Decrease stress: Stress can cause serious health conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. Practice self care with your favorite activities and mindfulness techniques like meditation. But, if stress becomes overwhelming or chronic, consider talking with a mental health professional.
• Cut down on alcohol: After the holidays, the new year is a great time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. Drinking over the recommended limit, one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, is associated with short and long term health risks including impaired judgment, high blood pressure, heart disease and some cancers. To cut back, set a drink limit when out with friends or designate days of the week to completely abstain.
• Stop smoking: If you smoke, stop. Over 16 million Americans live with chronic diseases caused by smoking like lung disease and cancer. Smoking also increases the risk of premature death and exposes loved ones to second-hand smoke. Increase your life expectancy by as much as 10 years by giving up the habit.
• Visit your doctor: A study published by The Journal of The American Medical Association (JAMA) found adults with primary care providers are more likely to fill prescriptions and to receive health screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Kickoff the year with a visit to your primary care physician for a wellness exam or to catch up on vaccinations.

To find a primary care physician or to learn more healthy habits, visit www.CrestwoodMedGroup.com or call (888) 261-3422.