The human heart can endure so much over time. Stress cardiomyopathy, known better as broken heart syndrome, is a condition where a surge of stress hormones floods the body due to a period of particularly intense emotional events or trauma. This causes heart muscle weakness. While is it possible to die from broken heart syndrome,…
The American College of Cardiology recognizes exceptional care at cardiology hospitals with its HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence award. The award recognizes forward-thinking heart hospitals with goals to advance the cause of sustainable quality improvement. Specifically, the 54,000-member college requires HeartCare Centers to demonstrate their “commitment to consistent, high-quality cardiovascular care through comprehensive process…
The 10 Louisville-area heart failure patients who received implanted mechanical pumps through Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s launch and certification of a ventricular assist device (VAD) program share that they’re experiencing a better quality of life or are hopeful that they will. For many, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) option offered an alternative to…
In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, acute anxiety, panic attacks and similar topic searches online spiked following a March 2020 presidential declaration of a national emergency. Although researchers found anxiety-related searches soon returned to previous levels, emergency rooms and immediate care clinics have continued to see high levels of patients experiencing anxiety symptoms,…
Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare, announced a grant to Bates Community Development Corp. (CDC) as part of a commitment to help improve the health of residents in Louisville’s Smoketown and Shelby Park neighborhoods. The $1.4 million in funding will be provided over the next four years. The grant, given through Norton Healthcare’s…
Your blood pressure reading plays a major role in measuring your health. It’s often called the “silent killer” because there are no warning signs or symptoms — aside from a blood pressure reading — to indicate a health issue. High blood pressure keeps your heart working overtime to pump blood through your vital organs so…
Blood pressure is a key measure of your health. You probably know it’s important, but do you know what a good blood pressure is? Do you know why it’s important? Read on for the answers to these questions and more. What is blood pressure? Two numbers make up your blood pressure reading: systolic blood pressure…
A new study confirms that a patient who breastfeeds has a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that the risk decreases with longer periods of breastfeeding, up to 12 months of duration. “We already know that patients who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast…
Visiting Louisville on a business trip, Rob Priest thought he might have come down with a terrible case of food poisoning. As pain in his abdomen grew more intense and deeper, he called 911 in the middle of the night from his hotel. When Rob arrived by ambulance at Norton Audubon Hospital, he learned the…
A recent study of atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and alcohol found patients with intermittent A-fib would have episodes within hours of drinking. The study in Annals of Internal Medicine provided more evidence that A-fib patients could improve their condition by drinking less. This was the first study to show and measure the real-time relationship between alcohol…
Barry Barmore had been getting his annual physicals, and the routine had become familiar. Blood pressure, reflexes, lots of poking and prodding. “I never expected to hear anything serious from my exam,” Barry said. His primary care provider, Alice H. Johnson, M.D., an internal medicine specialist at Norton Community Medical Associates – Audubon East LL2,…
If someone is having chest pain, it’s time to get to the best hospital for heart attack treatment. But aren’t all hospitals equipped to treat a heart attack? Yes, and getting treatment right away is the most important thing, so call 911. Some hospitals have better outcomes than others and are able to reach those…