Tammy Meffert was living a busy, full life with her husband and four children when she started noticing subtle but unusual symptoms. She found herself short of breath while doing everyday tasks — even walking up the stairs left her winded. Active and otherwise healthy, she brushed it off. Then came a day when exhaustion…
If you have diabetes, your heart could be silently developing serious issues. The link between diabetes and heart disease is stronger than most people realize. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes. “If you have diabetes, you either need a cardiologist now or you likely will need one in the…
Lance Newman of Louisville is many things — a poet, artist, father, weekend athlete and more. He founded SpreadLove Enterprises to bring joy to others by way of giving back and encouraging others in positive ways. All of that almost changed in an instant, and now he can add something to the list of things…
Understanding your heart health doesn’t have to be complicated. Following four key numbers can help you stay on track with your cardiovascular wellness and potentially save your life, according to Li Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute and Medical Director of Norton Women’s Heart Program. “Your heart works 24/7 to…
If you’re experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, it might be a sign to get checked for something serious. Whether it’s symptoms you’ve noticed or peace of mind you need, don’t wait to seek heart care. Why you might need a heart doctor Your heart works incredibly hard every single day, and sometimes it…
When Jonny Cutrer was in his early 20s and training for mini triathlons, he began to experience chest pain. After extensive testing, he found out he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve: A valve in his heart was not properly formed. This issue affects blood flow in the heart, and Jonny required a valve…
Norton Clark Hospital has opened a newly renovated cardiac catheterization (cath) lab and unveiled a new CT scanner with cardiovascular capabilities. The upgrades are the result of a five-month construction process and more than $7 million investment. They also mean the hospital now offers heart care for patients using state-of-the-art equipment that produces less radiation…
If you are one of many who have been told they have high blood pressure (also called hypertension) or your blood pressure is creeping closer to a high reading, you’ve got options for treatment that you should discuss with your provider. There are three: lifestyle changes, medication and a new minimally invasive procedure that can…
From lifestyle changes to medication, you may have tried a variety of solutions to lower your blood pressure numbers. Now, there’s a new option to help decrease dangerous blood pressure (also called hypertension). Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the first in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to offer a new procedure called renal denervation. For…
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is when blood flow to part of the heart is drastically reduced or stopped. This can happen when the arteries are narrowed from conditions such as coronary artery disease. According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack happens every 40 seconds in the United States. Heart attack symptoms…
Reviewed by Maria R. Schweichler, M.D., Bassel Alkhalil, M.D., and Maroun M. Ghossein M.D. Cassandra and Carlton Moore prepared to welcome their third child in late August. This was another milestone in their love story that started when the two first met at Noe Middle School in Louisville. They have been together for nearly 30 years. Having had…
Absorbing the grandeur of the Grand Canyon remains a bucket-list item for Terrie Slack. She wants to experience the canyon’s enormous beauty and complete a hike, even if it’s an adventure on which she chooses “an easy trail.” To appreciate her aspirations, you have to appreciate her incredible health journey, one that began suddenly with…