A new program and state-of-the-art catheterization lab are improving the quality of life for cardiac patients.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, and physicians at Community Medical Center (CMC) see their fair share of it. CMC physicians treat more patients with heart disease than other hospitals in the region, and U.S. News & World Report has ranked CMC as “high performing” in heart failure care. Some 2,000 cardiac catheterizations—procedures for diagnosing and treating heart problems—are performed at CMC each year, and the hospital recently opened a new cardiac catheterization lab. CMC’s highly skilled interventional and medical cardiologists, cardiac nurses and technologists provide personalized care using the most advanced technologies.
Advanced diagnosis and treatment
Heart failure is a serious condition that affects about 5.7 million people in the U.S. It occurs when the heart muscle weakens and is unable to pump enough blood for the body’s needs. While there’s no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can help people live longer and better. Until recently, CMC had three cardiac catheterization labs, which are equipped with advanced digital technology for evaluating heart function. To accommodate the increasing demand for these services, CMC opened a fourth lab. “It’s state-of-the-art,” says Jay Stone, MD, Medical Director of the Catheterization Lab and a member of the RWJBarnabas Health medical group. “It features brand-new equipment that will give us better views of patients’ anatomy.”
Thanks to a generous bequest from longtime volunteer Ann Wurster, the CMC Foundation was able to provide $2 million in funding to support the construction of the new lab. At the lab, Dr. Stone and a team of cardiologists are performing diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures, says Stephanie Cron, BSN, RN, Director of Cardiology Services. For instance, patients can undergo both emergency and elective angioplasty, which involves opening clogged arteries and restoring blood flow to the heart. Patients can also have a pacemaker implanted.
Also available at the new lab are peripheral interventions, which involve treating peripheral artery disease (PAD)—a narrowing of the arteries that reduces blood flow to the extremities, such as the legs and arms—in less invasive ways. One example: arteries in the legs are opened to improve blood flow.
The team is performing endovascular aneurysm repairs—minimally invasive procedures for life-threatening aortic aneurysms, which occur in the chest or abdomen. With this condition, there are weakened or bulging areas in the aorta, the artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. A covered stent is placed in the aorta, preventing blood from entering the aneurysm. “I'm excited about the lab because we’re able to see more patients and treat them in minimally invasive ways,” says Cron.
Warning signs of heart failure
February is Heart Month, and it’s a good reminder to be aware of the signs of heart failure. Although heart failure is thought to affect men and women in roughly equal numbers, symptoms in women tend to be subtler. Women may mistake shortness of breath as a sign of aging, according to the American Heart Association. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your physician:
- shortness of breath
- fatigue (after a routine activity, such as climbing stairs)
- swelling in the neck veins, abdomen, legs, feet and ankles due to fluid buildup
- frequent urination caused by fluid buildup
- weight gain
- a cough that worsens at night or when lying down
Multidisciplinary cardiac care
CMC has launched a program called Healthy Lives, which offers both inpatient and outpatient care and is staffed by a team of cardiologists, primary care physicians, advanced practice nurses, registered dietitians, pharmacists, cardiology nurses, social workers and other medical professionals. They aim to improve the quality of life for those living with heart failure. “We’re here to help patients monitor their symptoms, stick with their daily medication regimens and eat healthfully,” says Wendy Stratton, a nurse practitioner and heart failure care coordinator. Registered dietitians provide counseling to help patients understand how their diets affect their heart health. Patients learn how to make better food choices to manage their cholesterol and blood pressure.
Your heart doesn't just beat for you. Get it checked. Find more information onheart and vascular care at Community Medical Center, and to reach a cardiac specialist, call 888.724.7123.