Dr. Heidi J. Syropoulos
I joined Independence Blue Cross in 2015 after practicing Geriatrics for nearly 30 years. In my current role I function as the medical liaison to our Government markets team, serving as a subject matter expert on clinical medicine and healthcare delivery. What I love about my new position is the opportunity to help an entire population of people through the benefits of their health plan.

Addressing the Growing Issue of Malnutrition in Older Adults

A senior woman receives a delivery of food from MANNA
Philadelphia-based MANNA delivers healthy meals and provides nutritional counseling to seriously ill people in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Should you eat a different diet if you’re sick? Do you have the same nutritional needs when you’re 80 as you do when you’re 30? I ask these questions because nutrition is such a hot topic in our culture....
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How Can Seniors Stay Strong? SilverSneakers!

During a recent train ride into work, I experienced the funniest reminder about exercise. For those of you who don’t take the train, let me set the scene… The sun hadn’t come up quite yet, and the weather was cold and dreary. The train car was filled with early morning commuters who were bundled up and,...
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A Critical Medical Advancement that Protects Young and Old: Immunizations

Immunizations are one of the most important public health advances in our nation’s health history
Many aspects of modern medicine are probably thought of as being routine in our part of the world. For example, when was the last time that getting an X-ray or taking an antibiotic impressed you? There was a time, however, when advances like these were transforming the world of medicine. Some other health care game-changers: anesthesia,...
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Managing Congestive Heart Failure, Getting Back to Normal

While managing congestive heart failure isn’t easy, you can still live a full and healthy life if you’re willing to make some important lifestyle modifications.
Being diagnosed with a chronic disease is markedly different than being diagnosed with an acute illness.  What do I mean by this? An acute illness, such as pneumonia, appendicitis, a kidney stone, or a broken leg, has a fairly short duration of symptoms and is typically resolved within days to weeks. Certainly, it has the potential to evolve into a chronic,...
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Keeping Seniors Safe in the Summer Heat

Did you know the elderly are more vulnerable to hot weather? Dr. Heidi Syropoulos gives her tips for keeping seniors safe in the summer heat.
Like many of you I wasn’t sure winter would ever end here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Considering I was born and raised in Minnesota, you would think I’d be used to that weather. But honestly, the longer I live, the more difficulty I have with winter and all its inconveniences. One of my favorite things about Philadelphia is the length of spring — in the upper Midwest,...
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The Hazards of Hospitalization: Ways to Avoid Preventable Issues and Readmissions

Hospitalization
One of the best advances in medicine over the past 100 years is our ability to provide state-of-the-art technologic procedures and treatments that improve people’s lives and longevity. For some, this requires being admitted to the hospital. You may have the expectation that if you went into the hospital for surgery, a procedure, or treatment, you would improve enough to leave,...
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Unlocking Diabetes: What You Didn’t Know About How Insulin and Glucose Work

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. In fact, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.1 Nearly everyone has had at least some exposure to diabetes, whether it’s a childhood friend who grew up with type 1 diabetes,...
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Mental Health Month: More Than “Risky Business”

Loneliness and aging can lead to depression in seniors.
I read an article recently announcing that May is National Mental Health Month, and it reminded me of my days in medical practice. Dealing with geriatric mental health issues is among the most complex challenges in caring for the elderly. This year’s theme, Risky Business – Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll, is intended to educate the public on habits and behaviors that may increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illness or be signs of mental health problems in and of themselves....
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World Cancer Day: Discovering the Power of Preventive Medicine

world cancer day - preventive medicine
February 4 is World Cancer Day! It was established at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris on February 4, 2000. The aim of World Cancer Day is to promote research for curing and preventing cancer and mobilize the global community to talk about cancer prevention. It’s also a great opportunity to talk about the importance of preventive medicine and cancer prevention....
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Fact, Resources, and Hope for Families Facing Alzheimer’s Disease

Important facts and helpful resources for dementia and Alzheimer’s caregivers from a geriatrician.

My first experience with Alzheimer’s care

I remember the first time I interviewed a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. I was still a medical student, a confident newbie, just learning the skills it takes to obtain a good medical history. I sat in the exam room with a lovely, immaculately-dressed, older woman who appeared to answer all my questions adequately....
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