Conventional surgery to clean stroke-causing plaque buildup from carotid arteries often comes with risks ranging from infection to heart attack and nerve damage. Now, a minimally invasive surgical approach to treat carotid artery disease can speed recovery, lower risks and help prevent future strokes. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute physicians are using an innovative procedure…
Heart disease knows no boundaries. Women of all ages experience various forms of heart disease — a disease that can leave you feeling helpless and alone. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, in coordination with WomenHeart, is hosting a Sept. 29 retreat for women living with heart disease. The retreat, titled “Healing the Heart – Mind,…
As a young medical resident, Vipul R. Panchal, M.D., brought hot coffee and a stack of electrocardiograms to the hospital bedside of a cardiologist who was undergoing dialysis. Each morning, the doctor shared his hard-earned wisdom with Dr. Panchal, forming a mentorship that helped cement his own journey to become a heart specialist. Dr. Panchal,…
Norton Healthcare is the first hospital system in the Louisville and Southern Indiana region to make the Remote Dielectric Sensing (ReDS) system part of a patient’s care plan. This equipment allows Norton Heart & Vascular Institute providers to collect data on a patient’s congestive heart failure faster. The device is in a vest that allows…
Ferenc P. Nagy, M.D., credits his parents for where he is today — a successful vascular surgeon doing a job he loves. They encouraged him to get the education they didn’t have. His father was a toolmaker for Ford and General Motors. His mother was a hairdresser. They viewed education as a way for their…
As medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s Advanced Heart Failure Program, Kelly C. McCants, M.D., says his mission is to serve patients facing difficult health challenges. “I think that’s the greatest gift — to serve. That’s what I try to do,” Dr. McCants said. “I’m at the end of the line. When the…
James P. Donovan, M.D., is a cardiologist with Norton Heart Specialists. Tell me about the first memory, academic or otherwise, that comes to mind when you think about medical school. Growing up, I had always been on summer vacation on my birthday, which is in August. But medical school started early, so I was in…
Goodbye. Adiós. Au revoir. Sayonara. No matter how you say it, this is what all countries may soon be saying to trans fats. The World Health Organization (WHO) is on a mission to globally eliminate industrially produced trans fats from foods by 2023. They released a plan called REPLACE, which provides insight into how governments…
Atrial fibrillation, also called A-fib, is a disease of the heart. It causes an irregular heartbeat, often faster than normal. Between 3 and 6 million people in the U.S. have A-fib. Each year, around 350,000 people are admitted to hospitals for A-fib, and about 500,000 people are diagnosed. “After turning 40, there is a one-in-four…
Rob Rogers, APRN, is an electrophysiology nurse practitioner with the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Heart Rhythm Center. In his role as a heart specialist, he talks with patients about how to keep their heart healthy. But when he is not wearing a white coat, you may find him wearing a whistle and gym…
A study published in the British Medical Journal earlier this year supports findings that previous studies have shown: Migraine may increase a person’s risk for heart attack, stroke and other forms of heart disease. Previous studies have shown that women, in particular, who get migraine headaches have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke….
If someone near you were having stroke, could you recognize the signs? Do you think a kindergartner could? Five-year-old Colt Wagner may not have known what a stroke looks like, but he knew his mother needed help right away when she collapsed last spring. Kennetta Wagner was home with Colt when she had a stroke…