In honor of American Heart Month, Theresa Byrd, coordinator for the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program, shares why she wears red to raise awareness each February. I wear red for my brother, Michael Brown, who at the young age of 40 experienced a severe hemorrhagic stroke. We were driving to Michael’s home…
Tara Mudd, APRN, with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s Heart Rhythm Center, answers questions about atrial fibrillation medications, their risks, side effects and what happens if they don’t work. Q: How often and for how long do people have to take atrial fibrillation drugs? Anti-arrhythmic medications can be taken anywhere from once daily to three times…
Cardiology and neurology specialists at Norton Healthcare knew there was a growing body of evidence suggesting that the underlying cause for many cryptogenic strokes is atrial fibrillation (A-fib). However, many A-fib patients do not receive additional cardiac monitoring, leaving them at risk for a recurrent stroke. To address this issue, a new multidisciplinary cryptogenic stroke…
The big game is this weekend! Anything could happen, from halftime show hijinks to breathtaking finishes. Could all the excitement give you a heart attack? During the National Football Conference (NFC) divisional playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings secured a last-minute, nail-biting win over the New Orleans Saints. Some fans were so excited their Apple Watches thought…
Patients with severe strokes caused by occlusion of large vessels or bleeding are more likely to survive when they’re taken to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC). That’s why the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommend emergency medical services (EMS) take these stroke patients to a Comprehensive Stroke Center, even if it means traveling…
Emergency physician Jeff A. Spain, M.D., has seen firsthand what a difference tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can make in the treatment of ischemic strokes. Spain witnessed a stroke patient suffering from hemiplegia able to regain the use of his limbs before leaving the emergency department. “The main thing is rapid assessment,” Dr. Spain said. “The…
Lacey Amlung, 28, is a busy mom with a career and two young children, enjoying life to the fullest. Things couldn’t get much better — and having a potentially life-threatening health crisis was the furthest thing from her mind. She had no idea a blood clot was forming that put her leg at risk for…
It comes on out of nowhere: a terrible feeling of dread. You feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your chest. You feel like you can’t breathe and you start shaking. Your heart feels like it’s running a mile a minute. Panic attack vs heart attack — what are the differences? Panic attacks can be terrifying….
Chris Pryor works out, he volunteers for his church, and he enjoys spending time with his family. He thought he was healthy; however, a persistent cough and sharp chest pains led him to Norton Heart Specialists, where his cardiologist, John S. Harris, M.D., ordered a stress test. The results surprised Chris – multiple blockages requiring…
Emergency departments treat about 12,000 Americans during November and December for holiday decorating-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Learn ways to stay safe this holiday on the commission’s website (cpsc.gov). Also, keep these things in mind: Food safety. Maintain proper food temperatures to guard against spoilage. Ask your holiday guests about possible…
You had a wonderful dinner with family and friends. While relaxing after the meal, a bit of gas prompts you to excuse yourself from the room. Then it hits you: a sharp, jabbing pain. The feeling rises up to your chest, and you have a sour taste in your mouth. Is it just gas pain…
Haunted houses, spooky spirits and frightful festivities are all part of Halloween fun. If you are thrilled by the adrenaline rush that comes with being scared, you may want to reconsider. “Dying after being scared is a rare phenomenon, but it can occur,” said Tara Mudd, APRN, nurse practitioner with Norton Heart Specialists – Heart…