News

Taking Sleep Medicine to Heart

Arizona Cardiology Group and REM Medical to Open New Sleep Clinic in West Phoenix

February 27, 2007 – PHOENIX – Arizona Cardiology Group and REM Medical have partnered to open a comprehensive sleep medicine clinic in West Phoenix to further combat the associated risks of untreated sleep disordered breathing and cardiovascular disease. REM Medical currently provides physician led sleep medicine services across the Valley and is expanding to provide more convenience for community physicians and patients. By adding a sleep medicine specialty to Arizona Cardiology Group’s breadth of existing cardiopulmonary services, the two practices are delivering on a commitment to comprehensive care. Opening in April, the new REM facility will be conveniently located in the Banner Estrella Medical Plaza at 9305 West Thomas Road.

REM Medical, together with Arizona Cardiology Group, is working to diagnose and treat the full range of sleep disorders. One of the most common, and most debilitating of the sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep apnea, affects more than 18 million Americans. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, sleep apnea is “an equal opportunity disorder” and does not only affect older, overweight men, but also affects people of any age, gender or race. Left undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can have a serious and even potentially life-threatening affect on one’s overall health and well being.

“We are looking forward to providing sleep medicine services to our patients and to referring physicians in the community who understand the impact of sleep disordered breathing on the cardiovascular system. We believe that REM Medical has set the standard for clinical excellence in sleep medicine in the Valley,” said James Hines, MD, President of Arizona Cardiology Group. “Arizona Cardiology Group has recognized sleep medicine as an integral service for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions. REM Medical is excited by this partnership to extend quality sleep medicine services to more patients in the Valley,” said Robert Gunnink, DO, REM Medical Director.

“Sleep apnea robs you of your life in ways that you don’t even realize,” exclaimed Leah Polasik of Mesa and patient of REM Medical. “With CPAP therapy, I got my life back,” described Polasik, “I only wish I had done it sooner.” A 53 year old performer and grandmother of three, Polasik was determined to not let sleep apnea get the best of her. She just returned from a camping trip where she brought a full battery back-up system for her Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapeutic device.

If you answer “true” to two or more of these questions, you may have sleep apnea or one of more than 88 treatable sleep disorders:

1. I feel sleep during the day, even when I get a good night’s sleep.
2. I get very irritable when I can’t sleep
3. I often wake up at night and have trouble falling back to sleep
4. It usually takes me a long time to fall asleep
5. I often wake up very early and can’t fall back to sleep.
6. I experience an uncomfortable/restless sensation in my legs at night.
7. My legs often move or jerk during the night.
8. I sometimes wake up gasping for breath.
9. My bed partner says my snoring keeps him/her from sleeping.
10. I’ve fallen asleep driving.

About REM Medical
REM Medical is a specialty medical practice that diagnoses, cares and treats even the most complicated sleep disorders. Its clinics and sleep testing centers in Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for its excellence in care. In 2006 REM Medical had more than 5,000 patient visits. A new location in West Phoenix will be opened in April 2007 to provide convenient access to a growing number of patients. With more than 75 years combined experience, REM Medical’s clinical team is made up of nationally-recognized, board certified sleep physicians. At the forefront of sleep medicine, REM Medical’s services include physician evaluations and follow-ups, patient education and counseling, overnight sleep studies using state-of-the art medical technology, and the provisioning of therapeutic equipment such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) devices. For more information, visit www.remmedical.com.

About Arizona Cardiology Group
Leaders in the field of Cardiology Care, the physicians at Arizona Cardiology Group (ACG) uphold the highest standards in the practice of medicine. Providing cardiac diagnostic and therapeutic services, ACG has offices in Phoenix, Goodyear, Tempe and Scottsdale. For more information, visit www.azcard.com.

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