Heart, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

When the doctor becomes the patient

Gerald F. Sturgeon, M.D., has been a pediatrician in the Louisville community for 50 years and with Norton Children’s Medical Associates – Dupont since 2011. He recently found himself on the receiving end of patient care and wanted to share his experience. He conveyed his gratitude in a letter to Andrew N. Strausbaugh, chief administrative…

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Heart

Why you should care about these 8 risk factors for heart disease

We get bombarded by health news, research, tips and warnings every day. Eat this, don’t eat that. Do this, don’t do that. Sometimes there’s a lot of noise, and we miss the message. Here’s a message you don’t want to miss: There are small changes you can make to reduce your risk factors for heart…

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Cardiology, Heart, Prevention and Wellness, Recipes

Heart-healthy recipes: Low-fat pineapple slaw

Love coleslaw but wish for a version without so much mayo? Here’s a solution. This refreshing take on slaw boasts bold flavors, but stays light with the addition of sweet pineapple and light yogurt. This recipe is low-fat, easy, speedy, gluten-free and uses five or fewer ingredients. It will yield four generous servings. Nutritional benefits…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Heart, Neurosciences, Norton Brownsboro, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare, Stroke

Stroke motivates patient to work hard to recover and get back to life

Robby Speer is delegating more these days. He’s had to slow down a little since he experienced a stroke in 2018. “I realized that if I’m doing everything, someone else isn’t getting the chance to,” Robby said. “It’s been good for me to learn the importance of giving others the opportunity to do what they…

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Heart, Heart Attack

Can stress cause a heart attack?

Your body’s fight or flight response is nature’s way of helping you cope with stressful situations. Faced with stress, your body will secrete adrenaline to amp up your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure — all things that can help if you are in a dangerous situation. But when stress is chronic, your body remains…

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Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart, Interventional Cardiology, Newsjacking

What is TAVR?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve. Interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute team up to conduct a TAVR procedure. Performed though a catheter, it requires only a short hospital stay – often just one night. Many patients report improvement in…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Heart, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

Patient discovers he is in A-fib after Apple Watch alerts him to high heart rate

In early January 2019, 35-year-old Aaron Mount woke with shortness of breath and minor chest pain. His Apple Watch showed his resting heart rate at about 165 beats per minute, well above the normal range. Aaron decided to go to an urgent care center to see why he wasn’t feeling well. “I really didn’t think…

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Heart, Heart Attack, Neurosciences, Stroke

Baby aspirin for your heart? Heart and stroke doctors’ views

New recommendations for taking baby aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks and strokes may have you wondering what to do. According to a cardiologist and a neurologist, fundamentally, advice on the topic really hasn’t changed. With a few exceptions, if you have never been diagnosed with heart disease, vascular disease or had a stroke, you…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Heart, News

Left atrial appendage closure: a life-changing procedure for patients with nonvalvular A-fib

Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, currently affecting over 5 million people in the U.S. Twenty percent of all strokes occur in patients with A-fib; and A-fib-related strokes are more frequently fatal and disabling. The most common treatment to reduce stroke risk in patients with A-fib is a blood-thinning medication such as…

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Heart, Neurosciences, Stroke

Luke Perry’s death highlights stroke risk in younger people

“Beverly Hills, 90210″ star Luke Perry died less than a week after suffering a major stroke. He was just 52 years old. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. While most strokes occur in people over age 65, they are not limited to this…

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Cardiology, Heart, Heart Failure

African Americans are at higher risk for heart disease and heart failure — here’s why and what can be done

Heart disease kills more Americans than any other disease, and according to the American Heart Association, African Americans may face a higher risk for heart disease compared with other groups. Kelly C. McCants, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure Program, said uncontrolled high blood pressure is the…

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Health Equity, Heart, Neurosciences, Stroke

African Americans are at higher risk for stroke, but better outcomes are possible

Studies show that African Americans’ risk for stroke and stroke disability is higher than that of other groups. Lacy Shumway, stroke outreach coordinator for Norton Neuroscience Institute, explains some of the statistics from the National Stroke Association and discusses what health care providers and other partners can do to decrease the risk of stroke for…

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