May 24, 2013

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Sacred Heart Hospital - Heart Health

The art of compassion, the science of medicine and the power of technology unite at the Heart & Vascular Institute at Sacred Heart Hospital. We use the latest techniques to treat all cardiac and vascular problems.
 
Our state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs offer the full range of diagnostic and interventional capabilities, and with the recent addition of our Cardiac Surgery Program, we are now able to provide the full spectrum of treatment options for your heart. Our vascular services include the life-saving MERCI Retrieval System. We are the only hospital in the region to offer this emergency stroke care technology.

From diagnostic procedures to surgery, the Heart & Vascular Institute at Sacred Heart Hospital supports a full line of treatment for both heart and vascular problems. 

Information for Moms

Healthy Examples Make Healthy Kids

It important for you women to make healthy lifestyle choices to not only help reduce your risk of developing heart disease, but also because there are little sets of eyes watching every move you make!! (Full Story)

Managing Your Cholesterol

As we’ve talked about before, the number one killer of women in the United States is heart disease. And having high cholesterol just increases that risk even more. (Full Story)

Sacred Heart Hospital - Heart Health FAQ

Q: How do I know if I have heart disease?
A: Take a free HeartAware heart health assessment to determine your personal risk factors for heart disease. Click Here
Q: What are the major risk factors for heart disease?
A: Age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and obesity are all risk factors for developing heart disease. Remember, having even one of the risk factors can put you at an increased risk of heart disease. It's essential that you talk with your doctor about reducing your risk.
Q: What is coronary bypass surgery?
A: Coronary bypass surgery is also known as Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). In this procedure, blood is rerouted around clogged arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart.

During the surgery, a piece of healthy vein is taken from somewhere else in the body - for example the leg, the chest or the wrist - and it is then attached to the heart artery above and below the narrowed area. This creates a "bypass" around the blockage.

In many cases, besides fixing the artery that is blocked, the surgeon will fix additional arteries on the heart that are starting to look blocked because of coronary heart disease. The number of arteries repaired becomes the name of the procedure. For example, if the surgeon repairs three of the arteries, it is called a triple bypass. If four arteries are repaired, it's a quadruple bypass.
Q: What is cardiac catheterization?
A: Cardiac catheterization is a test used to explore the coronary arteries, using a fine tube (catheter) that's put into an artery or vein of an arm or leg and passed into the arteries of the heart. Cardiac catheterization can be used in the diagnosis of heart disease.
Q: What are common symptoms of a heart attack?
A: For all too many people, the American Heart Association (AHA) says, a heart attack is the first time they learn they have heart disease. The warning signs that you're having a heart attack can vary, but here are some common ones:

• Uncomfortable chest pain, pressure or a squeezing sensation in the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes

• Pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck, jaw or arms

• Chest pain accompanied by dizziness, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

Not all of these symptoms will be present in all cases. The American Academy of Family Physicians says symptoms may come and go; some people having a heart attack may experience no observable symptoms.

In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that women are more likely to have so-called silent or unrecognized heart attacks. That's because women often have different signs of a heart attack than men. Women are more likely to have nausea and pain high in the abdomen. They also may experience a burning in the chest that they dismiss as indigestion or heartburn. In women as well as men, the symptoms may subside and then come back. But it's still essential to get immediate medical help if you suspect a heart attack. The American Heart Association says clot-dissolving drugs and surgery are most effective when used in the early stages of a heart attack. But studies show that many heart attack victims wait several hours - even up to ten hours or more - before seeking help.

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Contact Information

Address: 900 West Clairemont Avenue
City, State, Zip: Eau Claire WI, 54701
Phone: 715-717-4121
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