Patient-Centered Cardiac Services at Vista Health

• Open Heart Surgery
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Coronary CT Angiography
• Cardiac Calcium Scoring
• Cardiac Diagnostic Services
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Healthy Heart Program
• Commitment to Wellness

Heart Disease...it's the leading cause of death in the United States. But many risk factors contributing to heart disease can be controlled. Things like diet, exercise, smoking and stress are all important factors in the prevention of heart disease-factors you can do something about. Indeed, with heart disease, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Pain Is No Gain

At the first signs of chest pains or heart discomfort, the staff at Vista Health encourage you to call 9-1-1 and get to the hospital immediately. The independent emergency medicine physicians on our staff will help determine from examination (vital signs, blood pressure, lab work, EKG) and medical history the proper course of treatment. The sooner the blood flow is resumed, the less heart muscle damage occurs.

Early detection prior to an event such as a heart attack can mean the difference between full recovery and death. The independent physicians on our medical staff use sophisticated tests to detect even minor abnormalities of the heart. We have performed thousands of cardiovascular tests and procedures and have access to the latest and most advanced technology needed to combat heart disease.

Heart attacks can be sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly with mild pain and discomfort. Far too often people with symptoms wait too long before getting help. Review the following signs that could indicate a heart attack is happening so you know when to call for help.

• Chest discomfort located in the center of the chest that lasts for a few minutes or comes and goes. It may feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath that often comes with the chest pain but may occur before the chest pain.

• Breaking out in a cold sweat.

• Nausea.

• Lightheadedness.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may have it and not know it. That’s why Vista Health offers free blood pressure screenings throughout northern Lake County each month – to help identify high blood pressure so those with it can get treated before too much damage is done.

Normal blood pressure readings are less than 140 over 90. Numbers equal to or greater than 140 over 90 cause the heart to work harder and can contribute to stroke.

Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. Print this convenient sheet to record your blood pressure readings on. Take the sheet along to your doctor’s office when you have your annual exam and discuss your blood pressure along with other concerns you may have.

Risk Factors for Heart disease You Can Change

• Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Overweight

Take control now and reduce your risk for heart disease.

Most people think having a stroke is a concern for the elderly. Think again! Nearly 30 percent of stroke victims are under 65 years old.

Stroke, also known as a “brain attack”, occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen to the brain bursts or is clogged by a clot. It is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability for adults. However, new treatments, many available at Vista Health, can greatly reduce the damage caused by stroke when symptoms are recognized early.

Warning Signs

• If you or someone you know experiences one or more of these signs or symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency system immediately:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Risk Factors

Be aware of your risks and be prepared. Controllable stroke risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood cholesterol

Open Heart Surgery                             ^ back to top ^
Beginning December 2007

With the introduction of open heart surgery at Vista Medical Center East, the public has local access to a full service cardiac care facility. Our Open Heart Surgery program focuses on improving quality of life through surgical interventions such as coronary artery bypass grafts, heart valve repairs and replacements, as well as other thoracic and vascular surgeries. 

Cardiac Catheterization                            ^ back to top ^
Detecting a Heart Attack Before It Happens

When symptoms suggest heart disease, the independent cardiologists on our medical staff rely on sophisticated technology such as cardiac catheterization at Vista Medical Center East. Used for diagnostic and interventional purposes, the catheterization laboratories feature the latest equipment and technology for our patients' benefit. Cardiac catheterization is the most comprehensive diagnostic procedure available for the early detection of many life-threatening heart problems. With the latest equipment and technology, interventions such as angioplasty and stent placement are performed to prevent or treat a heart attack. From inception, our catheterization laboratories have been directed toward personal service, patient-focused care and the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Coronary CT Angiography                             ^ back to top ^
Know your risk of heart disease in 5 heartbeats.

Vista Health System's new LightSpeed Volume CT scanner provides a comprehensive view of the heart and coronary arteries with sub-millimeter resolution in just 5 heartbeats. This highly accurate, non-invasive procedure allows physicians to obtain clear images to assist in diagnosis.

Cardiac Calcium Scoring                             ^ back to top ^
(also known as coronary artery calcium scoring)
The CT scanner can also be sude for coronary artery calcium scoring. This is a non-invasive way to obtain information about the location and extent of calcified plaque in coronary arteries. Plaque, a build-up of fat and substances such as calcium, can narrow the arteries which can lead to painful angina in the chest or a heart attack. The amount of calcium detected in a CT scan (coronary artery calcium scoring) is a marker of coronary artery disease and a helpful diagnostic tool.

Other Cardiac Care Diagnostic Services offered at our hospitals include:

Cardiac Stress Testing
During cardiac stress testing, a patient's heart rate is monitored while he or she walks on a treadmill. If unable to walk, intravenous medications can be used to increase the heart rate similar to walking on a treadmill. This test helps the physician evaluate the fitness of the heart and blood supply system.

Echocardiograms
This test uses sound waves to record the heart's internal structure. Physicians often use this procedure to identify damage to the cardiac valves and to measure the size and shape of the heart. Adding color to the echocardiogram shows the direction of blood flow to help detect valvular disease.

Electrocardiograms (EKG)
Electrocardiograms (EKG) provide a record of heart rhythms. This data is used to help diagnose abnormal heart rhythm and/or damage to heart muscle. Vista Medical Center East has the advanced equipment available to help provide the physician with information to make a diagnosis.

Electrophysiology Studies
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test that records the electrical activity and the electrical pathways of your heart. This test is used to help determine the cause of your heart rhythm disturbance and the best treatment or device for you to treat your heart rhythm. Sometimes an EP study is conducted before an implantable cardioverter/defibrilator (ICD) placement to determine which device is best and afterwards to monitor treatment success

Holter Monitor Stress Test
A Holter Monitor is a recording unit worn around the patient's neck or waist. The monitor is connected to the patient using wires and patches known as electrodes. This device then monitors and records a patient's heartbeat while the patient is either in the hospital or at home for a 24-hour period. It allows the patient to have mobility, while gathering valuable test data.

Heart SmarTest
The Heart Smartest is a cardiac calcium scoring screening which uses a high-speed CT scanner to take rapid pictures of your heart and the arteries around it. The scanner detects calcium or plaque build up in the arteries. Your scan is then assigned a “score” of from 0 (no calcification) to 400 (significant calcium build up) by a radiologist.

Cardiac Rehabilitation                            ^ back to top ^
Nurturing You Back to Health

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs at Vista Health help to make people's hearts strong again and reduce the risk for heart disease. Staffed by registered nurses, dietitians, respiratory therapists and exercise physiologists, the team customizes an exercise program complete with nutrition guidelines, stress management techniques and smoking cessation counseling. The overall goal is to help modify the risk factors related to heart disease and to develop a personalized plan to help each patient achieve his or her maximum potential for heart health. Patients can participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs at Vista Medical Center East and, for phase III (maintenance phase) cardiac rehabilitation, the Vista Surgery Center in Lindenhurst.

Vista's Healthy Heart Program
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The Vista Surgery Center offers community members the opportunity to use professionally staffed rehabilitation exercise facilities to stay heart healthy and in shape. An exercise physiologist is available to customize your exercise routine to help you achieve your maximum benefits. Open Monday through Saturday, the center offers many of the same amenities of higher-priced health clubs, plus the knowledge and expertise of health care professionals, on a low cost, pay as you go basis.

Vista's Commitment to Wellness
Building Healthy Hearts
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Vista Health promotes health and fitness through analysis and education to members of the community. Staff is committed to teaching participants to become aware of ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle and reduce their chances of developing heart disease. It may include a comprehensive health appraisal questionnaire, blood analysis, body fat composition, a heart/lung screening and a fitness test. Nutrition counseling, stress management, preventive health education, and smoking cessation counseling are also available. Call 847.360.4131 for information or an appointment.