Now a joint publication of the FJMC and MRJ

 Issue #39 -  January 17, 2017

We would like to thank our sponsor RCA, Retirement Corporation of America. They have graciously been our primary sponsor for the last 2 years.

Convention registration opens soon (http://convention.fjmc.org).  Convention will be held in Washington DC. July 18-23rd.  What better place to host a convention.  It will be our most memorable convention ever

HEALTH TIP

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – The Silent Killer

Allan Conway, M.D Chief Resident - Vascular Surgery, Lenox Hill HospitalGary Giangola M.D  Chairman of Surgery - Vascular Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital Chief of Surgery - Division of Vascular Surgery, North Shore University Hospital

We also want to thank our newest co-editor Dr. Steven Mandel from Lenox Hill hospital in NY.  He and the medical team we created, are responsible for the increased quality and professional information provided in the newsletter.  Richard, Steven, and I are passionate about bringing this information that will help give us all a better life.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when an area of the aorta (the blood vessel that supplies the abdomen, pelvis and legs) becomes very large or balloons out. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Although the exact cause is not known, risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, and genetic factors. Patients’ medications for other conditions and diet do not cause aneurysms. Most patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm are asymptomatic. However, this does not decrease the danger of this silent killer.  Waiting for symptoms to develop is too late and dangerous because time does not usually allow safe preparation and treatment once this occurs. Symptoms can include a pulsating feeling near the navel, pain in the abdomen, or back pain.

When symptoms develop the chance for complications and death significantly increase. For this reason, the presence of an aneurysm should be looked for in patients 65 and older, before symptoms develop. Identifying an aneurysm this way allows the aneurysm to be treated in a much safer environment, rather than in an emergency. The incidence of an aortic aneurysm being present is between 5-10% in people older than 60 years. The disease is an inherited one and should be looked for at a younger age in anyone who has had a relative, especially a parent, with an aortic aneurysm. A history of smoking is also known to increase the risks.

The diagnosis can be made very simply, inexpensively and accurately with an abdominal ultrasound examination. This sonogram test takes approximately 15 minutes to perform, and causes no distress or discomfort to the patient. A physician can refer a patient for this test after performing a history and physical examination. If the diagnosis is made a CT scan is usually ordered to confirm the location and size of the aneurysm and determine the best method of treatment. Aneurysms that are small are usually followed with serial ultrasound or CT scans every 6 or 12 months depending on the size. 

The recommendation for treatment of an aortic aneurysm depends on its size and the patient’s medical condition. Aneurysms are usually repaired when the aorta measures between 5-5.5cm, though this can vary depending on the patient and other risk factors. Most patients (70%) can be treated with a less invasive approach called an endovascular repair.  In this procedure a modular covered stent is placed through the groin arteries up the aneurysm above the belly button level.  The covered stents act like sleeves and reline the wall of the aorta. The endovascular repair has replaced the open much larger operation in most patients. Both endovascular and open approaches have risks associated with them and these risks are estimated based upon the patients’ age and medical health and balanced against the risk of continued observation. Patients who have their aneurysm repaired with an endovascular approach can expect to stay in hospital for 1-2 days. After open surgery, patients will typically stay in hospital for 5-7 days due to a longer recovery time, and full recovery can take up to 6 weeks. Repeat ultrasound scans will be performed to make sure the aneurysm does not recur and as such the individual will need extra time off work for frequent follow up visits. If the aneurysm is seen to be growing, further procedures may be required, though this is needed in less than 10% of patients.

We want to thank Dr. Conway, Dr. Giangola, and Dr. Mandel for this important and informative health tip.  Please take it to heart. It may save your life.  For any comments or questions please email Dr Steven Mandel- drmandel1979@aol.com.     

In our new format we have formed a great team of Doctors and Psychologists to give you the best possible healthtips in terms you can understand.  Our new team consists of our new Co-Medical Editor - Dr. Steven Mandel Pediatric Neurologist, Dr. Seth Cohen, Dr. Joel Kurtz, Gastroenterologist; Dr. Mitchell Ross, Cardiologist; Dr. Dale Levy, Thoracic Surgeon; Dr. Gary Katz, Psychologist; Dr. Bob Braitman, Pediatrician; Elliot Feldman, CEO low vision occupational Therapy Clinic; and Elisabeth Mandel, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist.

For questions please email the editors Richard Gray rwgray1@gmail.com, Gary Smith DVM gsmith@fjmc.org, or Dr. Steven Mandel- drmandel1979@aol.com

WEALTH TIP

We would like to thank our sponsor RCA, Retirement Corporation of America. They have graciously been our primary sponsor for the last 2 years.

If you learn how to identify trends – and when they are changing – you'll set yourself up for a successful trading career. If you don't learn how – you'll finance the lifestyles of those who do. - Martin Zweig

What to expect from President Trump in 2017?

This will be a 2 part series YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!  This Blueprint for 2017 is extracted from information provided by Dr Steve Sjuggerud, a contributor to Stansberry Newsletters.  To me they provide one of the most informative and largest investing ideas in the world. (I subscribe to many newsletters to provide you and myself with the research and trends that are suggested by some of the top investment analysts.)

So what will Trump do for America in 2017?  In the short term he intends to launch a major infrastructure program. He intends to take corporate taxes down to a manageable level, 15%, the lowest since the 1930’s and close loopholes. This is extremely bullish for the economy and growth.  Interest rates are still at multi-generational lows.  This will drive stock prices, housing prices and real estate higher.

Almost everyone wanting a job or home will get one, except in NYC and California!

Everyone is expecting higher interest rates. But Steve’s script for 2017 sees very limited interest rate hikes or actually decreasing interest rates.  We have many companies that are barely making it financially and have a huge amount of debt. Higher interest rates could cause many companies not be able to repay their debt. Further, since everyone is expecting higher interest rates, you might consider that this has been priced into the markets. As Sjuggerud said in 2003, history tells us interest rates will stay lower, longer then anyone can imagine, because they will follow inflation getting too high or a really booming economy.  Now is the time to be in the market, we are in the 9th inning of the bull market that started in 2009 and still many people have not invested yet. There are trillions on the sidelines.  People need more money and interest rates are so low that they will almost certainly be forced to invest in the stock market.

Certainly the facts could change but the core message since 2009 is simply described: The Fed will keep interest rates lower than you think, for longer than you can imagine.  That should cause asset prices (like stocks and real estate) to go up.  Stocks will soar higher then you can imagine is his conclusion.

There are many concepts that can ruin this idea and your day! Most notably how Trump and China develop their relationship.  If Trump escalates tensions with China and we have to raise interest rates too rapidly, it could signal international disaster and thrust us into a depression.

And of course something in-between is what many are wishing for as a best possible outcome.  I am not suggesting any of this will happen; but I thought this scenario is important to stimulate your thought processes about financial realities under President Trump.  Do your own significant research so that you can maximize your investments in 2017 and beyond.

The next issue will get down to the nuts and bolts of a 2017 investment script.  I will discuss Dr Sjuggerud’s thoughts on what to expect in several asset classes including gold, interest rates, real estate, Japanese Stocks and Chinese Stocks.

We hope you enjoyed this Wealth tip. It is a very powerful concept, Since 2009 Dr. Sjuggerud predicted the bull market we are currently in the real estate boom, gold skyrocketing earlier in the year and then its fall. He is predicting stock market boom in the next 1-2 years and then…  The next issue will be provocative and will make you think even more about 2017 and where you want to be with your investments as you explore options with your financial advisor, stock broker or private group of fellow investors.

Email sent at approximately 11:30 pm, January 17, 2017
 

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This work is based on current events, interviews, corporate press releases, and what we've learned from several mentioned health and wealth newsletters. It is also based on some personal experiences. It may contain errors and you shouldn't make any investment decision based solely on what you read here. It's your money and your responsibility. FJMC is not making specific recomendations of stocks or bonds just possible ideas that might be considered for research and investing purposes. This information is being provided for informational purposes only.

FJMC - Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs - Involving Jewish Men in Jewish Life.  The FJMC involves Jewish Men in Jewish Life through Leadership   Innovation   Community