2014 Appearances
VNSNY Therapists Honored for National Rehab Week
September 25
The New York City nonprofit home care agency distributed awards and heard from rehabilitation experts.
Joseph Gallagher, PT, DPT, VNSNY’s manager, rehab professional practice, served as emcee for the event, which featured a keynote speech by Jonathan Whiteson, MD, chief of cardiopulmonary rehab at Rusk Rehabilitation and an assistant professor of rehab medicine at New York University Medical Center.
2012 Appearances
Chilliwack Times (Canada)
November 20
Clinical Trials and Large-Scale Tests Not Yet Conducted
E-cigarettes have not yet been tested in large scale clinical trials and may be dangerous to people’s health, because of lung damage. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, provides commentary.
CBS On the Couch
November 16
(click image above to download clip)
Dr. Jonathan Whiteson appears on CBS’ The Couch, discussing The Great American Smokeout.
CBS Up to the Minute
November 14
Great American Smokeout!
Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the country. Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, Director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness program at NYU Langone Medical Center, discusses why it’s hard for smokers to kick the habit.
Family Goes Strong
November 14
Quit Now! Tips to Stop Smoking
With the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 15, the director of NYU’s cardiac and pulmonary wellness program, Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, explains how family members can help loved ones kick the habit.
Health Day
May 14
Self-Managing’ COPD Might Pose Risks, Study Suggests
“In a finding that seems counterintuitive, a new study revealed that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were more likely to die after receiving comprehensive education and self-management tools.”
The Weather Channel
May 8
Jogging for Life
Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is interviewed about a new study that shows jogging can add six years to an individual’s life-span. Dr. Whiteson also reviews health benefits associated with moderate exercise.
-Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine
Examiner.com
March 19
Anti-Smoking Campaign a Force that Could Backfire? – By Debbie Nicholson
New ads from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a realistic devastating look at the effects of smoking. The images used are those of real people who had suffered the dire effects of smoking. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted.
-Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine
CBS News
March 16
New anti-smoking campaign: Is it too graphic?
Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, director of the smoking cessation program at NYU’s Langone Medical Center said there is some evidence from studies done around the world that graphic images have been effective at getting people to realize that smoking is not good for them.
“But the message can get lost,” Whiteson said. “People will be disturbed by these images and they may look away and say, ‘I can’t look at that.'”
U.S. News & World Report
March 15
14 Heart Numbers Everyone Should Know By Sarah Baldauf
A long life free of heart disease does not come just from controlling the standard measures like blood pressure and cholesterol. Keeping tabs on these indicators is essential to gauging your heart’s health, but a few other numbers—some surprising—can be meaningful as well. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is featured.
-Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine, Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine
DNAinfo
February 1
NYU Medical Center Offering Free Heart Health Screenings By Mary Johnson
The Heart Health Fair, sponsored by the medical center’s Cardiac and Vascular Institute, will feature a menu of free services including screenings for blood pressure, body mass index, circulation and bone density. There will also be several lectures and demonstrations centered on smoking cessation, Tai Chi, stress management and relaxation techniques.
“I think that there is a lot of information out there,†said Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Center at NYU Langone Medical Center. “But then again, sometimes it can be too much information. It’s confusing. It’s conflicting. It may not be what your doctor said, and sometimes it’s downright wrong.
“The reason for this [health fair] was to make sure that we put out the right information,†Whiteson added.
2011 Appearances
ABC News
December 21
Maintaining heart health during the holidays by Dr. Jay Adlersberg
Unhealthy food can be one reason that holiday deaths peak on Christmas day, the day after and New Year’s Day. Read more »
NY1
December 20
Health Experts, Lawmakers Question “E-Cigarette” Safety
While so-called “e-cigarettes” are sometimes seen as a valuable tool to help smokers quit, health experts say they’re not without risk. NY1’s Kafi Drexel filed the following report. Read more »
Philly.com
December 6
Fitness May Lower Death Risk Even Without Weight Loss – By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay News
A new study appearing online Dec. 5 in the journal Circulation finds that improving or even just maintaining your fitness level can help you live longer, regardless of whether your body weight has stayed the same or even gone up. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, comments on the study. Read more
U.S. News & World Report
December 5
Fitness May Lower Death Risk Even Without Weight Loss – By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay News
A new study appearing online Dec. 5 in the journal Circulation finds that improving or even just maintaining your fitness level can help you live longer, regardless of whether your body weight has stayed the same or even gone up. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, comments on the study. This article also appeared in Healthday, US News, Yahoo, MSN, Health24, iVillage, Healthfinder, and BioPortfolio.
News-Medical.com
November 17
Ban Smoking in Cars Urges BMA – By Ananya Mandal, MD
The British Medical Association is calling for a ban on smoking in all cars. The BMA says research shows levels of toxins in a car after a cigarette has been smoked are up to 23 times higher than they would be in a smoky bar. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted. Read more
CBSNews.com
Also appeared on eMedicineHealth.com, MedicineNet.com
November 16
Smoking Ban for Cars? British Doctors Say Yes – By David W. Freeman
Smoking bans are now in place in all sorts of places, including restaurants, bars, and parks as well as workplaces. Now the group that represents doctors in Britain is calling on the government to snuff out smoking in cars – a step that would go beyond regulations elsewhere. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted. Read more
WebMD.com
Also appeared on eMedicineHealth.com, MedicineNet.com
November 9
New Research Calls Salt Guidelines Into Question – By Brenda Goodman, MA
Reducing dietary sodium (salt) helps lower blood pressure a little, but it also may increase levels of some hormones and unhealthy blood fats, a new review of studies shows. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted.
-Jonathan Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine
Read the entire article in WebMD, eMedicineHealth.com, and MedicineNet.com.
The New York Post
August 16
The Next Cig Thing – By Dana Schuster
E-cigarettes, electronic devices that look like real cigarettes and produce an inhaled, odorless mist while delivering a dose of nicotine, is one way smokers are coping with NYC smoking bans. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, comments on the health factors of e-cigarettes. Read more
Chicago Sun Times
June 25
Will Graphic New Cigarette Warnings Scare People into Quitting? – By Gary Strauss
Article questions whether or not nine bluntly graphic anti-smoking images that will be required on cigarette packaging beginning late next year will cause smokers to quit. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted.
Read more
USA Today
Coverage also appeared on KTNV-13 (Las Vegas)
June 23
Graphic Cigarette Labels, Will They Work? – By Gary Strauss
In the most sweeping anti-tobacco effort since the surgeon general’s warning became mandatory on cigarette packaging in 1965, the FDA said Tuesday it will begin requiring tobacco marketers to cover the top half of cigarette boxes and 20% of tobacco advertisements with nine bluntly graphic anti-smoking images. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted.
Read more
NBC News 4 New York at 6:00
June 21
New Warning Labels for Cigarette Packaging in the U.S. and What Other Countries are Doing to Keep People from Lighting Up – By Rosanne Colletti
Jonathan Whiteson, MD, provides comments on how the new warning labels for cigarette packaging in the U.S. compare with other countries initiatives to keep people from lighting up.
Read more
FOX News 19.com
Also appeared on MedicineNet.com, CBS 5.com, NBC 11.com, Tobacco.org, ABC 3.com, Womenshealth.gov, FOX12.com Radio News, iVillage.com, AllVoices.com, Examiner.com, EveryDayHealth.com, The CW.com
June 21
FDA Unveils Graphic Images for Cigarette Packs – By Steven Reinberg
In a dramatic bid to get more Americans to quit smoking, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday released nine graphic warning labels that will appear on all packs of cigarettes by no later than September 2012. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted.
Read more
HealthDay News
Also appeared on U.S. News & World Report, MSN.com, HealthFinder.gov, YAHOO! News, iVillage.com
June 16
Smoking-Cessation Drug Chantix Linked to Heart Problems – By HealthDay Staff
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday the smoking-cessation drug Chantix may lead to a small but increased risk of heart problems in people with cardiovascular disease. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is quoted.
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HealthDay News
Also appeared on Yahoo! News, BusinessWeek, iVillage.com, Drugs.com, Newsday.com, MSN.com, U.S. News & World Report, Healthline.com
May 2
Religion Doesn’t Help Lower Blood Pressure, Study Suggests – By Serena Gordon
A small study suggests that although faith in a higher power may bring comfort, leading a religious life won’t help reduce high blood pressure. Dr. Jonathan Whiteson is quoted.
Read more
Bloomberg Business Week
February 9
First Lady Says President Obama Has Quit Smoking – By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
For new ex-smokers, staying off cigarettes can be a long struggle, one expert says
Read more
HealthDay News
Also picked up by Bloomberg Businessweek, Yahoo!News, iVillage, Drugs.com, Doctors Lounge, Smokingquit.net
February 8
First Lady Says President Obama Has Quit Smoking – By Steven Reinberg
President Barack Obama has kicked the smoking habit for almost one full year, First Lady Michelle Obama told the press on Tuesday. Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, medical director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Program at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City is quoted in article.
Read more
Health.com
Also picked up in Huffington Post and Examiner.com
February 4
Are Super Bowl Ads Bad for Our Health? – By Alyssa Sparacino
Thanks to pregame hype and Hollywood-quality production values, Super Bowl commercials have become the main attraction for many viewers. But are these blockbuster ads bad for our waistlines?
Read more
YAHOO! Health
February 3
Your Heart Health: 13 Numbers Everyone Should Know – by Sarah Baldauf, USNews.com
U.S. News consulted with cardiology experts to round up the target numbers you should strive for to keep your ticker in good working condition over the long haul.
Read more
2010 Appearances
NBC New York
November 18
Participating In the Great American Smoke Out – With Chuck Scarborough
Today is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out Day, an effort to encourage smokers to quit. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the cardiac and pulmonary rehab program at NYU Langone Medical Center, offers tips. “It is hard to quit smoking because nicotine is highly addictive and smoking is a habit,†he says. “Someone who wants to quit needs to prepare, get your house in order, set dates and look at changing other behaviors at the same time.â€
View Clip Here
CBS News Health Watch
November 12
Cigarette Warnings Go Gruesome: Did the Health Police Go Too Far? – By David W Freeman
Some argue that smokers already know the dangers posed by smoking and won’t be swayed by seeing graphic images of corpses and diseased lungs each time they buy a pack of cigarettes.â€Heavy hitting graphics and statements on posters, radio and TV commercials as well as on cigarette packages can go a long way to providing the ‘jolt’ needed to either steer someone away from starting to smoke, or to guide them to the realization of the need to quit, Jonathan Whiteson, MD, medical director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Program at NYU Langone Medical Center, said in a written statement.
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Wall Street Journal
November 10
Proposed New Cigarette Labels Aim to Shock, But Will They Work? – By Katherine Hobson
The federal government announced a new tobacco control strategy — including some graphic new warnings proposed for cigarette packs. Jonathan Whiteson, MD, medical director of NYU Langone Medical Center’s cardiac and pulmonary wellness and rehabilitation program, says the proposed labels definitely have the shock factor going for them. But he says that in his experience, the stop-in-your-track image of a diseased lung needs to be quickly followed with a more positive message focusing on the benefits of smoking cessation — such as breathing easier, a reduction in coughing and the ability to exercise. “When we emphasize feeling good, the sense of mastery that comes from making a behavioral change or the promise of an enhanced chance of avoiding heart disease or cancer — that [produces] a much more positive and effective response from patients,†says Whiteson.
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Washington Square News
October 25
E-Cigarettes Are Also Unhealthy – By Julie DeVito
Many electronic cigarettes, or E-cigs, are marketed as a healthy alternative to regular cigarettes. But according to an NYU professor, that might not be the case. NYU Langone professor Jonathan Whiteson, MD, medical director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, said the E-cigs are harmful to users’ health. “Dangerous chemicals have been identified in the vapor, not just nicotine, and they can potentially cause lung damage,†Whiteson said.
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Daily Caller
October 16
What’s So Ridiculous About Katherine Heigl’s E-cigarette Habit? – By Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health
Katherine Heigl is in trouble with the P.C. police. A week after telling David Letterman how she managed to quit smoking by switching to e-cigarettes, the “Life as We Know It†actress is drawing not praise but condemnation from moralistic public health types. Electronic cigarettes “are not a good way or an approved way to quit smoking,†intones Jonathan Whiteson, MD, medical director of the cardiac wellness and rehabilitation program at NYU Langone Medical Center. “They have never been proven to be effective at smoking cessation.â€
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WABC-TV-New York
September 14
Your Personality and Heart Attack Risk – By Dr. Jay Adlersberg
It is probably the last place you want to be — on your way into the ER with a heart attack. “In patients with Type D personality, we see 3 times increases in the risk of cardiac disease, heart attack,†Dr. Jonathan Whiteson of NYU Langone Medical Center said. Type A people are aggressive, competitive. Type B people are laid back. Type D personality? What is that? Type D personality is not really a diagnosis. It is a group of symptoms — chronic negative emotions, pessimism and social inhibition, keeping to yourself.Dr. Whiteson says Type D’s are less likely to take medications on schedule or even see the doctor about symptoms that could be red flags for a heart condition. “If you’re socially avoidant, if you like to keep to yourself, you’re less likely to seek medical care when you need it,†Dr. Carol Bernstein of NYU Langone Medical Center said. Type D people are also more likely to become anxious or depressed. The take home message is if you are a Type D, changing your behavior may save your life.
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WABC-TV
August 4
Summer Resolutions: Time to Shape Up
Sitting all day long rather than being on your feet or walking is linked to an almost two-fold risk of a heart attack or stroke, according to a recent study. For accountant Joe Cozzacrea, who’s in front of a computer all day, sitting all day was nearly fatal when a heart attack dropped him to the office floor 18 months ago. “Luckily, someone in the office knew CPR and were able to keep me alive until the ambulance got there,†said Cozzacrea. Cozzacrea survived and got to this heart rehab program at NYU where he learned how to extend his life. Cozzacrea started working out right after his attack. “Since then I’ve lost 70-75 pounds,†he said. “If you set small achievable goals that can be obtained in a month or two months, you’ll keep sending positive feedback, ‘I’m doing well, I’m helping myself.’†Jonathan Whiteson, MD, at the NYU Langone Medical Center said. Cozzacrea helped himself. He stopped smoking, eats better and works out.
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AmNY
June 15
Blowing Smoke– By Robert Levin
Colorful new cigarette packs that no longer display descriptors such as “light†are already showing up in city stores, but health officials and even inveterate puffers are saying the change is just more Big Tobacco smoke and mirrors. The last of the old packs will be sold on June 22, thanks to a new federal law designed to junk the misleading monikers. After that, New York’s fewer than 1 million smokers will be able to buy packs that the cigarette companies have chosen to color-code to communicate differences. But the changes are inconsistent from brand to brand: Marlboro Lights will become Marlboro Gold, and Pall Mall Lights are now Pall Mall Blue. A city campaign is seeking to clear things up for consumers. At the end of the day, it boils down to a simple truth, said Jonathan Whiteson, MD, of the NYU
Langone Medical Center’s smoking cessation program. “There is no such thing as a safe cigarette,†he said.
Fox 5 NY
June 7
Cardiology Dog – By Dr. Sapna Parikh
Sophia, 4, is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel dog that is a regular heartwarming and friendly visiting service dog to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at NYU Langone Medical Center. Sophia and her human owner, Daphne Pabst, visit the unit every week to boost the spirits of the recovering heart attack and heart surgery patients. The benefits to patients may include: lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, a calming effect, and exercise while walking down the hall with her. Dr. Sapna Parikh joined Sophia as they made rounds and visited patients.
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WCBS-TV
May 19
Gaining Weight? Don’t Let Your Job Be Excuse – By Kirstin Cole
Nearly half of all American workers recently surveyed said the recession and increased job pressures have them packing on the pounds. “It’s a significant problem,†said Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness at NYU Langone Medical Center. “What they need to do is control what they eat, eat healthier foods and certainly get more exercise and it’s possible to do that during the work day.â€
NY 1 News (Re-Broadcast)
March 9
Learn Your Numbers To A Healthier Heart – By Kafi Drexel
Doctors are encouraging everyone to learn their risk for heart disease. NY1 Health & Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel explains why they say it’s as simple as “Knowing your Numbers.†“Knowing your numbers can have a significant impact on the development of heart disease and going through a cardiac emergency,†says Jonathan Whiteson, MD, NYU Langone Medical Center. “The more proactive people are, the more we are ahead of the game.â€
Learn more
Viewpoints
March 8
Wheaties Fuel
Known for 83 years as “The Breakfast of Champions,†Wheaties has upped the ante with the debut of Wheaties Fuel, a pumped-up version of the traditional wheat and bran flakes cereal that is being marketed as energy fuel for male athletes. We checked with Jonathan Whiteson, MD, the director of the cardiac rehabilitation and wellness program at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. Whiteson said the product generally seems pretty healthy — which isn’t hugely surprising, as it was developed in consultation with Dr. John Ivy, a renowned performance nutrition expert who chairs the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas. “As a breakfast cereal, taken on its own, I’m not critical of this. It’s OK,†Whiteson says. But this isn’t any kind of impressive nutritional advancement, he says. The fuel is mostly an unnecessary sugar boost “Athletes and active people don’t need to eat Wheaties Fuel. … It’s bordering on the gimmicky.â€
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DNAinfo
March 3
NYU Smoking Ban Has Students, Village Residents Questioning Right to Control Sidewalks – By Nicole Breskin/DNAinfo
NYU’s new smoking ban has left students and locals fuming over the legality of policy that bars lighting up within 15 feet of all entrances, exits and air vents of university buildings.
“This is a personal violation of a basic legal right,†said Bob Donovan, a second-year NYU grad student. “I’m an adult. I can smoke on a public sidewalk if I want to.â€
Many students and local residents, such as Donovan, are confused as to how NYU has a legal right to control public sidewalks. The Department of Health confirmed to DNAinfo that the smoking ban is not covered under the city’s Smoke Free Air Act. NYU, however, is allowed to enforce the ban at an institutional level, a spokesperson said. NYU Langone Medical Center first instituted a smoking ban on campus more than two years ago, followed by the university’s College of Dentistry in November 2009. Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, who is head of the smoking cessation program at the medical campus, said the university-wide ban could go a long way in promoting healthier behavior in the Village. “Smokers are not only hurting and harming themselves when they smoke but other people too,†he said. “We hope this will encourage the community to lead healthier lifestyles and respect people’s right to clean air.â€
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Viewpoints
February 4
Fitness Myths – 10 Misconceptions About Getting in Shape
Think you know what you’re doing at the gym? If you limit your workout to the elliptical machine and some ab crunches, you might do well to check out our compilation of some of the biggest myths in fitness. These 10 tips can take you from just spinning your wheels to really making a difference in your overall fitness.
Myth #4: You need to have a huge chunk of time available for any kind of worthwhile workout. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. But you can do it in 10- or 15-minute increments if needed. “It doesn’t all have to be done in one go. The benefit will accumulate through the day,†says Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, the director of the cardiac rehabilitation and wellness program at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. Myth #5: Stretching is most important before a workout. Low-impact stretching can help the body warm up for exercise, but it’s most important, experts say, to keep muscles from tightening up after your workout. “The cumulative problem of not stretching [after exercise] is chronic joint problems, especially lower back pain,†Whiteson says. Instead of hopping off the treadmill and heading straight home, he says, get off 10 minutes earlier and use that time for stretching.
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NY1 News
February 2
Learn Your Numbers To A Healthier Heart – By Kafi Drexel
In honor of heart month, doctors are encouraging everyone to learn their risk for heart disease. NY1 Health & Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel explains why they say it’s as simple as “Knowing your Numbers.†“Knowing your numbers can have a significant impact on the development of heart disease and going through a cardiac emergency,†says Jonathan Whiteson, MD, NYU Langone Medical Center. “The more proactive people are, the more we are ahead of the game.â€
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CBS 4 – Denver
January 11
Study: Watching TV As Bad For Heart As Smoking
Also WNCT.com, Ozarks First.com, CBS4-Denver ,WBZ-Boston , KEYC-Minnesota ,WDJT-Milwaukee, WHDF-Davenport, IA, KCTV-Kansas City, KCOY-Santa Barbara, CA, KWTX-Waco, TX, WROC, Rochester, Smoking-quitinfo, KOLN-CBS, KOTV-CBS,
A study from the American Heart Association says watching television is as bad for your heart as smoking or high cholesterol. The researchers took a hard look at how much television patients watched, tracking more 8,000 healthy people and the ones who sat on the couch watching TV had a higher risk of dying.
Dr. Jonathan Whiteson at the NYU Langone Medical Center agreed. “People spend a lot of time at work in front of computer screens,†Whiteson said. “A lot of time commuting. It’s all sedentary activity.â€
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WCBS-TV
January 11
**Broadcast news story syndicated to all CBS local news affiliates across the country
Warning for Couch Potatoes – By Dr. Holly Phillips
A new study offers a deadly warning about too much lazing about, and it doesn’t just apply to people who are overweight. Joe Cozzocrea, 50, works out every day and watches his diet. One year ago he had a wakeup call: a heart attack. “I was just shocked and kind of stunned, lucky that I was alive,†he said. He never considered himself a couch potato, but when asked about his lifestyle, he said, “I sat at my desk all day, went home, watched TV, fell asleep, got up the next day and did the same thing.†A new study analyzes what happens when you spend too much time in front of the tube. The consequences could be deadly. “People spend a lot of time at work in front of computer screens, a lot of time commuting. It’s all sedentary activity,†said Dr. Whiteson. “With every hour of television watching there was an 18-percent increased chance of dying from heart disease, so every hour counts.†As for Joe, he’s now committed to getting up off his chair and couch. He’s lost 70 pounds along the way. “You got to push yourself and just do it and you will feel much better about yourself,†he said. He said he plans to stick with it and do it right, knowing that his life may depend on it.
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New York Nightly News – NBC
January 4
Jonathan Whiteson of NYU Langone Medical Center appeared on New York Nightly News to provide advice for how to quit smoking in the New Year and where help can be found to do so.
2009 Broadcast Appearances
CBS News
October 19
Syndicated on CBS affiliates around the nation.
H1N1 Flu – By Hari Sreenivasan
Jonathan Whiteson MD discussed the effects of the H1N1flu on the lungs. “It does appear that there are a group of patients who have a very large amount of virus within the lung tissue, and they do within a few days, three or four days, get very severe pneumonia,†said Dr. Whiteson.
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WABC-TV
October 5
Stairway to Health – By Heidi Jones
Instead of waiting for the elevator, take the stairs instead. You can improve your health simply by climbing stairs. And now, there’s a new campaign to get New Yorkers to do just that. Doctors say it can make a difference. “There are well proven benefits of climbing stairs,†said Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, with NYU Langone Medical Center. He says it can help to improve cholesterol levels, with good cholesterol going up and bad cholesterol going down. And then there’s the heart-healthy benefit, as it can improve cardiovascular health. Even something as simple as climbing the stairs in an apartment building. According to a recent study, men who climb at least 20 floors a week had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke or death, and mortality rates were 33 percent lower for men who climbed 55 flights or more each week. Just two minutes of stair climbing each day burns enough calories to eliminate the one pound an average adult gains each year. Men who climbed at least 20 floors a week (about three floors a day) had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke or death from all causes.
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CBS News 2
March 24
Electronic Cigarettes
Controversial electronic cigarettes have yet to be deemed safe by the FDA. Dr. Jonathan Whiteson of NYU Langone Medical Center says we don’t know how safe they are yet.
CBS Early Show
February 27
Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
Electronic Cigarettes are popping up in shopping malls, kiosks and online. You might not be lighting up tobacco, but are they a safer alternative to regular cigarettes? Dr. Jonathan Whiteson talked to Early Show co-anchors Julie Chen and Harry Smith about the product. “My biggest concern is these things are marketed to younger people, to adolescents. And my biggest concern is that adolescents are going to start smoking these cigarettes thinking they’re not getting any dangerous products. But the first hit of nicotine can make you addicted, and that’s so concerning.†said Whiteson.
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Watch more
Print Appearances
HealthDay News
December 2
Also appeared: Womenshealth.gov/news, AJC.com, Healthscout.com, Health.allrefer.com, Healthfinder.gov/news, Sparkpeople.com, Aerobic-exerciseblogspot.com, Bhsi.com (Baptist Healthcare System), Vitabeat.com, Covenanthealth.org, Daytondailynews.com, Fairview-university.fairview.org, Ecommunity.com/news, Western-star.com, HealthDay, Health.msn, Drugs.com, U.S. News & World Report,empowHer.com, Fitness News, Health.com
Health Exercise May Lead to a Smarter, More Successful You
A strong cardiovascular system in young adulthood may boost brainpower, making for better school grades and more overall success later in life, new research suggests. Given that most doctors and laypeople know (or should know) the benefits of exercise and its impact on healthy bodies, the authors of a new study, appearing in this week’s online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are hoping the findings can influence public policy.“The emphasis at gyms is for strength over aerobic capacity but aerobic fitness is where we need to pay our focus,†said Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, co-director of the Joan and Joel Smilow Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention Center at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. â€We’ve known that aerobic exercise has been associated with improved cognitive performance. We’ve known that from studies dating back from the ’70s,†he added. “They picked the area of young men which may not have had a lot of research. This confirms what we’ve already known about younger and older individuals.â€
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HealthDay
November 2
Nicotine Patch Plus Lozenge Best for Quitting Smoking – By Amanda Gardner
The first head-to-head comparison of different HYPERLINK “http://www.health.com/health/condition-section/0,,20209136,00.html†quit-smoking products finds that a nicotine patch combined with a nicotine lozenge had the most success. “The study shows that, yes, one therapy came out on top, the patch and the lozenge [together],†said Dr. Jonathan H. Whiteson, co-director of the Joan and Joel Smilow Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention Center at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “The reasoning behind it is that the patch supplies a steady supply of nicotine replacement and the lozenges give a boost of nicotine which you can use when you have an extra craving. It gives people control,†said Whiteson, who was not involved in the research.
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Health Day News
October 26
Syndicated article also appeared on News.yahoo.com, Atlanta Journal Constitution.com, Healthscout.com, Healthfinder.gov, Bio-Medicine.org, uamshealth.com (University of Arkansas), livemedinfo.com, covenanthealth.org, U.S. News & World Report, springfieldnewssun.com, journal-news.com, daytondailynews.com, middletownjournal.com, drugs.com, health.myfoxnewisconsin.com
Big, Beefy Football Players May Face Heart Problems Later
Crushing the notion that you can be both fat and fit, new research has found that current professional football linemen already have some risk factors for heart disease. In a study comparing professional football players to minor and major league baseball players, researchers found that football linemen were more likely to have higher fasting blood sugar levels, larger waist circumferences and a greater waist-to-height ratio. “These guys are very big, and yes, they have more muscle, but a lot of the weight is fat, and anyone at a higher weight is at risk of metabolic syndrome,†said Jonathan Whiteson, MD, co-director of the Joan and Joel Smilow Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention Center at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “What happens is that you don’t have to have rip-roaring abnormalities, but when you put these factors together, you create metabolic syndrome,†Whiteson said. “This can put them at risk for premature heart disease, stroke, vascular disease in the legs and sudden death,†he explained. “The message is clear,†he said. “Being fat is not fit. It’s a medical condition.†But there are other worries as well, he added. “What’s always a concern of mine is that these people are role models for children, and you see young boys who want to play football bulking up,†Whiteson said. “We should be promoting a better health profile than linebackers.â€
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Los Angeles Times
July 22
FDA: Electronic Cigarettes are a no-no – By Thomas H. Maugh II
Here’s an item that you shouldn’t include in your ever-growing arsenal of electronic devices, including cellphones, iPods, PDAs, GPS trackers and laptops: the e-cigarette. The Food and Drug Administration today released an analysis of 19 varieties of electronic cigarettes that says that half contained nitrosamines (the same carcinogen found in real cigarettes) and that many contained diethylene glycol, the poisonous ingredient in antifreeze. Some that claimed to have no nicotine were found to have low levels of the drug. “Electronic cigarettes should be absolutely avoided because they clearly have toxic elements,†said Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, a pulmonologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. “It is proven now that electronic cigarettes contain toxic elements. Electronic cigarettes play no role in smoking cessation and don’t add to a healthier lifestyle.â€
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NY Post
April 6
Egan’s Heart Scare – By Dan Mangan
New York Archdiocese leader Edward Cardinal Egan missed his final Palm Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and remained hospitalized yesterday as doctors said he needs to have a pacemaker implanted in his chest. Egan, who is retiring next week, was examined after he was hospitalized Saturday night with severe stomach pain. He will not undergo the low-risk pacemaker surgery until he regains his strength from the sudden pain that sent him to the hospital. Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, of NYU’s Langone Medical Center, said he advises pacemaker recipients not to do anything but recover at home for a week or two.
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Forbes.com
April 2
Economic Stress–How Bad Is It Really? – By Rebecca Ruiz
Before the financial collapse, Dr. Jonathan Whiteson says his patients made predictable small talk. “It used to be, ‘How are the children? Where did you go on vacation?’†he recalls. “Now,†he says, “they come in with a [newspaper] tucked under their arm and say, ‘Did you see this?’†Usually they’re pointing to a story about the market’s dismal fortunes or the fallout of yet another Ponzi scheme.
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WCBS TV
March 25
Lawmakers Look To Ban Controversial ‘E-Cigarette’ – By Mary Calvi
“I would caution anyone who wants to buy them, not to do so,†says Dr. Jonathan Whiteson. “When you give someone an e-cigarette you can become addicted to nicotine with the first hit. We do not know what other chemicals are in there, we do not know the health consequences of using them.â€
Glamour.com
March 4
Health Controversy: New “Healthy†Cigarettes–Good or Bad Idea? – By Sarah Jio
A healthy cigarette? Those two words don’t seem to go together at all, do they? They’re not FDA approved, so you don’t really know how much nicotine you’re getting, but one health expert, Doctor Jonathan Whiteson from New York University’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, told the CBS’ the Early Show that he thinks the product may have promise for smokers looking for a way out. But he has some concerns: “My biggest concern,†he says, “is these things are marketed to younger people, to adolescents.â€
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CBSNews.com
February 27
Chinese “E-Cigs†Get Attention, Scrutiny
The Ruyan V8, which produces a nicotine-infused mist absorbed directly into the lungs, is just one of a rapidly growing array of electronic cigarettes attracting attention in China, the U.S. and elsewhere – and the scrutiny of world health officials. “We don’t know [if they are safe], but we don’t think so,†Dr. Jonathan Whiteson told CBS’ The Early Show Friday.
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