Your Health | Mount Sinai Today

Why Pickleball Is a Win for Your Heart

Updated on Jul 22, 2025 | Featured, Your Health

Anu Lala, MD, recently met with pickleball players at CityPickle Wollman Rink to talk about heart health and the benefits of playing pickleball.

Pickleball is quickly becoming one of New York City’s favorite ways to stay active—and it’s doing more than just bringing people together. It’s also a fun, heart-healthy way to support your overall well-being.

Why Pickleball Is Good for Your Heart

You don’t have to be a lifelong athlete to enjoy the heart-healthy benefits of pickleball. The game involves light jogging, pivoting, and stretching, which are movements that increase heart rate up and improve your circulation. Depending on the intensity of your play, 30 to 60 minutes can count as a full cardio workout.

“Exercise doesn’t always need to be intense and exhausting to benefit your heart,” says Anu Lala, MD, a cardiologist at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital. “Activities like pickleball offer a joyful, sustainable way to keep moving, and that consistency combined with weight-based activity is what protects and strengthens your heart over time.”

Benefits Go Beyond the Court

Playing pickleball a few times a week can help lower your blood pressure, support healthy cholesterol levels, and improve your endurance. Over time, this type of activity can help reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular issues.

If you are living with a heart condition already, remaining active is important across a patient’s lifespan. Light-to-moderate exercise like pickleball is often a safe and effective way to stay strong—just be sure to talk to your doctor first.

It’s Also Good for Social and Mental Health

Beyond the physical benefits, pickleball is very social. Whether you’re playing a casual match or joining a local league, you’re likely to meet new people and feel part of a community. That social connection can improve mood, lower stress, and even benefit your heart health.

One thing to keep in mind: post-game celebrations. It’s tempting to reward a good game with indulgent snacks or drinks. But making heart-smart choices—such as fresh fruit, a handful of unsalted nuts, hummus with veggies, or whole grain crackers with avocado—can help keep all that movement working in your favor.

Bringing Heart Health to the Court

Caring for your health is an everyday practice, well beyond the walls of a doctor’s office. That’s why Mount Sinai has partnered with CityPickle to bring wellness, movement, and heart health education directly into the community in ways that are engaging, active, and fun.

“Whether you’re just picking up a paddle or you’re a regular on the courts, this partnership is about supporting your well-being—by encouraging healthy habits, building connections, and making expert guidance more accessible,” says Dr. Lala.

To book an appointment with Dr. Lala or for more information on Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, please visit our website.

How Weight Loss Drugs Can Improve Your Heart Health

Updated on Jul 16, 2025 | Your Health

Just about everyone has heard about the new weight loss drugs, a category of medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some for diabetes and others specifically or weight loss. Now yet another benefit is coming to light that may help save lives: Doctors can use these medications to help patients avoid the onset of cardiovascular disease.

These medications, which include Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Zepbound®, are part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 medications because they mimic the action of a hormone called GLP-1 that controls blood sugar levels while decreasing appetite and slowing the digestive process. Read more about the details of these medications here.

In this Q&A, Icilma V. Fergus, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Disparities at The Mount Sinai Hospital, explains how these drugs can help patients lose weight and prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease, and lead to significant improvement in their lives—something she has been searching for ever since she became a cardiologist. The results of studies over the last five years, including one involving more than 8,000 patients, are driving this treatment.

Icilma V. Fergus, MD

“It has been rewarding to me to see the emotional transformation—as well as the physical transformation—as people start to shed weight when they had so much difficulty before” says Dr. Fergus, who is also Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “The sense of winning a battle that they were never able to win before is life-changing for many. So as a cardiologist, I’m extremely grateful to have this tool in my toolkit.”

When did weight loss drugs come to your attention as way to increase heart health?

I focus on general and preventive cardiology, including the risk factors that can be addressed to minimize heart disease. At the top of the list would be hypertension, weight, diet, and exercise. Ever since I became a cardiologist, I’ve been looking for ways to get people to lose weight effectively. It has always been one of the toughest things to get somebody’s weight well controlled. Many of my patients have type 2 diabetes as well. These weight loss drugs have been approved to treat diabetes since 2005. We’ve seen how their weight loss not only treats their diabetes, but several of the risk factors for heart disease. Recently, there have been several studies that look at how GLP-1s address cardiovascular conditions.

What percentage of your patients could benefit from the use of weight loss drugs?

About 40 percent of my patients are overweight. A normal body mass index (BMI) is 25, and you are considered obese when you’re at 30. About 40 percent of my patients have a BMI greater than 25, and about 30 percent have a BMI greater than 30. That said, these drugs are not for everyone. They can cause side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal issues. Most of these side effects can be managed, and we always start off with a small dose to start and gradually increase it.

What has been your experience with these drugs?

I’ve seen a lot of dramatic success stories. It’s the beginning of a positive feedback loop. Patients start losing weight, so they’re able to exercise more. There’s less pain in their joints and less inflammation. They start feeling better about themselves, so the risk factors of stress and anxiety are relieved. They feel better about how they look, so they’re doing more, such as going out in public and going to the gym. And at the end of the day, their blood pressure is down. So perhaps they only need one drug instead of three. People are going from having diabetes to being in the pre-diabetes range. In many cases, it’s driving them to make other lifestyle changes, like eating healthier and eating less. But it’s important to note that results may vary. I do believe everyone is an individual, so there’s no cookie cutter method.

How do you get started?

A first step is to talk with your doctor. The guidelines from the clinical trials will tell you that the first step is making some basic changes to your lifestyle. It’s eating better, exercising, that type of stuff. Then after that comes the treatment. When you start treatment, I always emphasize the lifestyle behind it. But these drugs tend to force people to have good lifestyles.

How do these weight loss drugs affect my risk factors for heart disease?

By causing weight loss, these drugs alleviate a number of risk factors for heart disease. This includes:

Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes: Having fat—especially something called “visceral fat” that is stored deep in your abdomen around the organs—causes insulin resistance, or issues with processing glucose in your body. This can lead to type 2 diabetes, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Reducing high blood pressure: In order to manage hypertension or high blood pressure, you need to be up and around and moving. If you have increased weight, it’s hard to do that. And with the visceral fat, you may not be absorbing your medications as well.

Controlling your cholesterol levels: Obesity is a risk factor for lipid disorder. When you’re overweight, your good cholesterol, or HDL, goes down. Exercise and movement enable your HDL to go up. If you’re overweight, it’s harder to exercise for a number of reasons. Then there’s your bad cholesterol, or LDL, which goes up when you’re overweight.

Reducing stress and anxiety: Many people become anxious, stressed, or depressed when they are overweight. Stress is a major contributor to heart disease. As you lose weight, your emotional state improves.

To sum up, I’m glad that these weight loss drugs are so much in the public eye. People hear about celebrities taking them and there’s automatically interest in the subject. But as a cardiologist, I can tell you that they have real benefits beyond losing weight—and one of them is heart health.

Learn more about the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital

Learn more about how to improve your heart health

Five Tips to Stay Hydrated in the Summer Heat

Jul 7, 2025 | Diet and Nutrition, Health Tips, Your Health

Whether your summer plans include relaxing by the pool, dining alfresco, or exercising, it’s crucial to stay properly hydrated – especially when heat and humidity levels are at their highest.

Expert Advice on How to Keep Cool During the Summer

Find out who is most susceptible to overheating, what is heatstroke, how to know when you should seek medical care, and where you can get help.

Click here to read more.

Dehydration occurs when your body loses too much water. Symptoms include thirst, less frequent urination, dry mouth or cracked lips, fatigue, and dizziness. The Institute of Medicine recommends a fluid intake of 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters daily for men – though keep in mind, optimal fluid intake varies from person to person, depending on age, weight, physical activity level, as well as certain medical conditions.

Taylor Stein, MS, RD, CDN

Taylor Stein, MS, RD, CDN, Associate Researcher, Human Metabolism and Physiology Lab, offers these five simple tips to help you hydrate:

Out of sight, out of mind

If water isn’t easily accessible, we can forget to drink. Make hydrating convenient by keeping a water bottle nearby to encourage frequent intake.

Eat your water

About 20 percent of our fluid intake is derived from food. Fruits and vegetables are not only rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, but many have high water content as well. And—good news—the water in fruits and vegetables counts towards your fluid intake. Fill half of your plate with hydrating veggies such as cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, cauliflower and spinach. Feel like having dessert or a snack? Choose thirst-quenching fruits such as watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, and cantaloupe.

Listen to your body

Pay attention to your urine – the color and volume of your urine is a good indicator of your hydration status. Straw or pale colored urine (think real lemonade, not drink mix with artificial coloring) means you get an A+ in hydration. Darker urine (more like apple juice) is a sign you should pick up that water bottle.

Choose water

Water is the best beverage for hydration. Without the added calories of sugar-sweetened beverages, substituting water can reduce risk of weight gain and is generally better for your health. Tired of plain water? Switch it up with unsweetened sparkling water. You can also make your own flavored water or seltzer by adding cucumber, lemon, mint, or basil. For those who participate in high intensity exercise for more than an hour, sports drinks that contain carbohydrates and electrolytes may also be beneficial.

Hydrate as you dehydrate

Summer events often evolve around delicious food served with cold, refreshing cocktails. Alcohol has diuretic properties, causing more frequent urination. Try this trick: Alternate a tall glass of water before and after each alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated. Remember, if you choose to drink, women should stick to one alcoholic drink per day, and men should have no more than two drinks per day. One drink includes 12 fluid ounces of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces of distilled spirits.

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Rushing to the Bathroom? Get Help for Overactive Bladder

Jul 2, 2025 | Urogynecology, Your Health

You may know well that feeling of frequently running to the bathroom to urinate or waking up at night and making your way to the toilet. You’re not alone.

Overactive bladder is a condition that causes sudden urges to urinate in both men and women that may be hard to control, often resulting in urinary incontinence, another name for losing control of your bladder.

Urinary incontinence affects women twice as often as men, as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can affect the bladder, urethra, and other muscles in women, according to the Office on Women’s Heath of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“If you’re having these symptoms, don’t be embarrassed to schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss your concerns,” says Feven Getaneh, MD, a urogynecologist at Mount Sinai. “We see these kinds of symptoms all the time and are here to help you and point you in the right direction so that we can help improve your quality of life.”

Feven Getaneh, MD

In fact, there are many treatment options available for overactive bladder, such as pelvic floor muscle exercises, medication, and bladder injections.

In this Q&A, Dr. Getaneh, who is also Assistant Professor in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and ReproductiveScience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains common symptoms of overactive bladder, how the condition is diagnosed, and treatment options for women.

What is overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder, also known as OAB, is characterized by bothersome urinary symptoms. This can include urinary urgency, frequency of running to the bathroom, waking up at night to use the bathroom, and even having incontinence episodes when you’re on your way to the bathroom.

Can you prevent overactive bladder?

While we don’t know whether overactive bladder is preventable, there are certain things in your behavior that you can modify to help with bothersome urinary symptoms. These include:

Drink less caffeine and carbonated beverages

Use the bathroom at least every two hours

Do some pelvic floor muscle exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles

How is overactive bladder diagnosed?

Patients who have bothersome urinary urgency, where they’re running to the bathroom frequently and often having accidents on the way, should talk with their physician. Their physician may refer them to a specialist, such as a urogynecologist, to evaluate their symptoms and determine the best treatment options that are available. Diagnosis may involve a physical exam and diagnostic tests, such as a urine analysis; tests that measure bladder function; or a cystoscopy, a procedure that examines the inside of the bladder using a thin, flexible tube with a camera.

What are the treatment options?

We have many treatment options for women with bothersome urinary symptoms. Sometimes we will refer women to physical therapists to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Sometimes we’ll start a bladder medication so that you have more time to make it to the bathroom. If these measures aren’t helpful, we have a lot of advanced therapies to deal with overactive bladder. We do bladder Botox® injections in our office. We also implant pacemakers for the bladder, which are done in the operating room. We even offer an outpatient acupuncture treatment for overactive bladder.

At Mount Sinai, we have a team of specialists that can find the treatment plan that’s right for you. Call 646-412-9897 to schedule an appointment with a urogynecologist.

Learn more about Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence

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Three Healthy Summer Mocktail Recipes (Low-Calorie and Alcohol-Free)

Updated on Jun 25, 2025 | Recipes, Your Health

Beat the heat with these refreshing non-alcoholic summer drinks. These easy healthy mocktail recipes are all under 50 calories per serving, made with natural ingredients, and perfect for parties, picnics, or post-workout relaxation.

Cucumber Mint Sparkler

Calories: ~20 per serving
Flavor profile: Cool, crisp, and refreshing

Ingredients:

4-5 thin cucumber slices
5 fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon lime juice
Sparkling water (unsweetened)
Ice cubes

Directions:

Crush the cucumber and mint leaves in the bottom of a glass to release their flavors.

Pour in the lime juice and add a handful of ice.
Fill the glass with sparkling water.
Mix lightly, then finish with a cucumber ribbon or a sprig of mint for garnish.

Health benefits: Hydrating, zero added sugar, naturally detoxifying.

Why These Healthy Mocktails Work:

Alcohol-free: Great for sober-curious lifestyles or family-friendly gatherings
Low-calorie: Under 50 calories per serving
Naturally sweetened: No syrups or artificial sweeteners
Hydrating and nutrient-rich: Use real fruit, herbs, and fresh juice

Orange Ginger Fizz

Calories: ~35 per serving
Flavor profile: Bright, tangy, with a spicy kick

Ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about half an orange)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger or a splash of ginger juice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Sparkling water
Ice cubes

Directions:

Combine orange juice, ginger, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with sparkling water.
Garnish with a slice of orange or lemon.

Health benefits: Immunity-boosting, anti-inflammatory, vitamin C-rich.

Berry Basil Cooler

Calories: ~45 per serving
Flavor profile: Fruity, herbal, and lightly sweet

Ingredients:

1/4 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
3 fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Sparkling water or club soda
Ice cubes

Directions:

Muddle berries and basil with lemon juice and honey (if using).
Fill the glass with ice and pour over sparkling water.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a basil leaf or a few whole berries.

Health benefits: Antioxidants, heart-healthy herbs, no refined sugar.

Expert Advice on Keeping Cool and What to Do When Air Quality Is Poor

Updated on Jun 23, 2025 | Featured, Your Health

You have probably noticed the hazy skies throughout the New York City area. Health experts say everyone should pay close attention. That poor-quality air is unhealthy, especially for vulnerable people, including those with asthma or heart conditions, as well as younger kids and older adults.

The poor air quality, the result of wildfires in Canada, is something you can actually feel. Experts say you should consider limiting your time outside, especially if you are exercising or doing strenuous tasks; keeping your windows closed at home; and wearing a high-quality N95 or KN95 mask if you need to go out. Those most at risk should stay indoors.

Late Breaking News: Expert Advice on How to Keep Cool During the Summer

Find out who is most susceptible to overheating, what is heatstroke, how to know when you should seek medical care, and where you can get help.

Click here to read more.

“Many people may have noticed the hazy conditions, but not realized they should be concerned—especially younger people and the elderly, who are at greater risk,” says Linda Rogers, MD, Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “I think we all should be looking out for the most vulnerable; they are the ones that are at most risk right now. But this has crossed a threshold where the general public will feel this.”

Linda Rogers, MD, Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine)

In this Q&A, Dr. Rogers, who is also Director of the Adult Asthma Program, offers a number of other tips, including what type of mask to consider wearing, whether to turn on your air conditioner, and who is most at risk.

How bad has the air quality been in New York City because of these wildfires?

Our air quality has been in a zone that’s considered dangerous to sensitive populations and that may be hazardous to people who are either elderly, very young, or have underlying heart or lung disease, or other sort of significant health conditions. It’s not something people are normally aware of, though most people going outside will realize that something is up.

How can I tell what the air quality is like in my neighborhood right now?

A good way to see what the air quality is like right now, where you live, is the website AirNow.gov or the AirNow app created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and available for download for free, where you get your apps for your of phone. This site offers a composite score for what we call the big five pollutants—ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. A good score is less than 50. On an average day in New York, we are around 30; we have pretty good air quality. Once it starts getting up over 50, there may be risks for sensitive people. If the score reaches 100, due to a combination of heat, humidity, and pollution then the air quality may be risky for the general population rather than just for sensitive individuals. In recent years, the score has risen to over 100 due to the wildfires. Any of the common weather apps people have on their phones are also a good source of this information.

What does it mean when the air quality reaches the unhealthy levels we have seen lately?

That’s the red zone. That’s where even healthy members of the general public are going to feel it. The effects on the general public may be mild; it may just be a matter of feeling irritation in your nose or throat. But for really sensitive groups, this is a level that could trigger an asthma attack or flare-ups of other lung diseases such as COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can also pose a risk for those already at risk for heart attacks and strokes. During times of high pollution level, there is a well-established pattern of increased risk of emergency room visits for these types of cardiovascular events 48 to 72 hours after exposures to high pollutant levels

The Effects of Wildfire Smoke Particles Can Persist for Months, Even After a Fire Has Ended

Being exposed to lingering fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can have health effects up to three months afterwards, well beyond the couple of days that previous studies have identified, and the exposure can occur even after the fires have ended, according to new findings by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Even brief exposures from smaller fires that last only a few days can lead to long-lasting health effects,” says Yaguang Wei, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine. Read more

What safety precautions should I take when air quality is at an unhealthy level?

The best thing to do is stay inside with the windows closed. If you have to go outside, make it as short as possible. I don’t think anybody should exercise outdoors while the air quality is poor. When you’re exercising, you are taking in more of these contaminants. It depends on your personal circumstances, but when levels are between 100 and 150, you may want to consider limiting outdoor exercise, especially for young children.

Should I wear a mask?

You should consider wearing a high-quality mask, such as an N95 or KN95 mask. Surgical-style masks will not be helpful. Those masks offer at least partial protection from viruses transmitted by droplets, but they do not protect you from the extremely small particle pollutants. And even the N95 and KN95 masks cannot protect you from the gases, such as carbon monoxide, that are produced by wildfires.

What about working outside?

I think it depends on your underlying health, your age, your circumstances, what the work involves, and what the air quality is in the area that you’re working. If you have to work outside, a high-quality N95 mask will be a great idea if it’s possible for you.

Does it help to use my air conditioner?

Air conditioners vary tremendously in terms of how old they are, how they’re built, and what kind of filters they have in their use. Closing your windows and using an air conditioner is better than having the windows open. Ideally, your air conditioning system has a high-efficiency filter. Air purifiers can also help.

Who is most at risk?

Young children are more at risk because they tend to breathe at faster rates with higher volumes. When there’s an elevated pollution level, they’re generally getting more exposure. The elderly are at higher risk for heart and lung disease and have other underlying health conditions. Those with lung diseases, notably asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD), are often sensitive to environmental triggers like this, or changes in weather, temperatures, and humidity. Many of those with asthma, for example, often reach out to their doctors in advance to make sure they have emergency medication on hand. But it can be different for those with heart conditions.

What should people with heart disease know about this?

People with heart disease may not be aware that they are at increased risk, but these high levels of pollutants have been linked to visits to emergency rooms with cardiovascular conditions. People who are at risk may want to consider staying indoors to the extent possible. It’s also important to note that there may be a lag in the onset of symptoms. It may take a while for the contaminants you are breathing in to have an effect on your blood vessels. That is why we may sometimes see a lag in visits to the emergency department. The health effects can persist and escalate from 24 to 48 hours after the air quality levels are at their worst.

What are the signs that the air quality is affecting a typical, healthy person?

When the air quality index gets above 100, and then over 150, as has happened in recent years, you’re going to feel throat irritation, nasal irritation, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat—almost cold-like symptoms except without a fever. Some people may feel chest discomfort and headaches. These aren’t particularly dangerous. But for those with underlying conditions, such as lung disease and allergies, they can cause more severe debilitating symptoms. The air is unhealthy for everyone, but some groups are at risk of significant health effects.