In this video, Dr. Aman Ali discusses risk factors of heart disease, diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes that you can make to improve your heart health and protect your heart. This segment was made possible by Edward-Elmhurst Health and televised on NCTV17 (https://www.nctv17.org).
Sudden cardiac arrest was thrust into the national spotlight in January, when Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after a tackle. Thankfully, the team’s medical staff began immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and restored his heartbeat, actions Hamlin’s doctors credited with saving his life. As an elite athlete, is his situation unique? Sudden cardiac arrest is a major public health problem. It’s a condition where the heart stops beating without warning and can lead to death in minutes if the person doesn’t get help right away. Chances of survival are 10-15 percent when it happens outside of a hospital. Yet, early recognition and effective CPR can double or triple the chance of survival. CPR is, quite possibly, the most important skill a non-medical person should know. Are there symptoms or warning signs of a cardiac arrest? Who is at risk?
In Episode 61, Dr. G and his guest Moeen Saleem, M.D., discuss the facts about cardiac arrest, why it’s vital that people learn how to recognize sudden cardiac arrest, how to provide effective CPR and how to use an Automatic External Defibrilator (AED). Guest Moeen Saleem, MD – Double board-certified cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist, Midwest Cardiovascular Institute; Director of the Electrophysiology Lab at Edward Hospital.
Does heart disease run in your family? Dr. Anish Amin, interventional cardiologist, joined Healthy Driven Chicago to share important questions that you can ask to better understand your risk of heart disease.
April Lester, 35 from Villa Park, IL, thought she’d have to live with chest pain her whole life. She experienced it for two years; it started when she began dialysis and was put on medication. She told her primary care and dialysis techs about the pain in her chest and was told it was just a murmur. But, she was never referred to a cardiologist. She even visited the emergency room for chest pain and a tight sensation in her left chest. She had bloodwork done and a couple of tests, but she was discharged home.
Her pain continued daily, and she finally decided that something had to give. “I googled cardiologists near me,” she said. And that’s how she came to meet Dr. Elmer Murdock, interventional cardiologist at Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI). She first saw him on September 9, when he ordered an echocardiogram and other tests that showed she had a dilated ascending aorta and dissection. A dissection is a tear in the large blood vessel branching off of the heart (aorta). Hers was from her heart down to her leg. She was told surgery was needed.
“April had recurrent chest pain without a clear diagnosis,” said Dr. Murdock. “It’s important to know that if you are having chest pain, or any symptoms that are new, it’s okay to seek a second opinion. There’s also a reason why high blood pressure is called a silent killer.”
“Before finding MCI, I didn’t have the clear answers I needed,” she said. Though she was nervous, she finally had a diagnosis, and she hoped that this could be her breakthrough. “Everyone at MCI, the nurses, and the doctors were very understanding and caring.” As soon as Dr. Murdock received her test results back, he sent her to Cardiac Surgery Associates for surgery.
The procedure April had was an aortic root and arch replacement. “It was a life-saving procedure for her,” said Aaron Kime, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon with Cardiac Surgery Associates, who performed the procedure. “A type A aortic dissection is a nearly universally fatal event if left untreated due to the risk of aortic rupture, acute aortic insufficiency, or disruption of a coronary artery. The procedure we did has protected her from any of those events.” The procedure took about six hours.
Just a few short weeks after her procedure, April can’t believe the results. She can now live without the daily pain in her chest. She is recovering and participating in cardiac rehabilitation. “I am back to feeling like a normal person!” she exclaimed. She is so happy that she chose to listen to her symptoms and pursue a visit with a cardiologist at MCI. “Now, I have become more grateful for life. I get emotional talking about it. MCI, Dr. Murdock, and Dr. Kime are the best! Words cannot express how grateful I am for the whole team.”
The collaboration between Midwest Cardiovascular Institute and Cardiac Surgery Associates is a valuable partnership that benefits the patients we serve. By working closely together, we are able to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care and the most appropriate treatment for their specific needs. This close collaboration allows for seamless communication and coordination between all of the medical professionals involved in a patient’s care, which can lead to better outcomes and more efficient and effective care.
NAPERVILLE, IL– Dr. Kousik Krishnan, electrophysiologist at Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI), is the first to use the Abbott Aveir™ VR Leadless Pacemaker to treat abnormal heart rhythm at Edward-Elmhurst Health (EEH).
A leadless pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device with no wires that delivers electrical energy to the heart to keep it in regular rhythm. Manufactured by Abbott, the Aveir™ VR Leadless Pacemaker (LP) is the next evolution in leadless technology that has been designed for chronic retrieval. At just 38.0 mm and smaller than an AAA battery, the Aveir™ VR LP features up to twice the projected battery life compared to other leadless pacemakers when using ISO standard settings and brings fewer lead-related complications compared to transvenous pacemakers with wires. It also offers mapping capability to assess correct placement of the device before final fixation within the heart, and is designed to be enabled by future software to support a dual-chamber pacing system upon regulatory approval.
“We want our patients to not only live longer, but better,” said Dr. Krishnan. “The entire electrophysiology team at Edward Elmhurst Health is proud to offer this new technology to patients in need of a pacemaker. It is a game-changer for our patients due to no lead-related complications, future upgradeability, and fewer restrictions post-implant.”
Learn more about this therapy here.
Click here to find a list of MCI locations.
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Midwest Cardiovascular Institute is hosting a free ABI & Carotid Ultrasound screening on Tuesday, December 20th from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at 133 East Brush Hill Road (Suite 202) in Elmhurst. Guests will receive complimentary ankle brachial index and carotid ultrasound screenings. An ABI is a simple, painless exam used to test the blood flow in the legs to determine risk of vascular disease. Carotid ultrasound is a painless imaging test that uses highfrequencysound waves to create pictures of the inside of your carotid arteries.Results will be reviewed onsite by MCI cardiologists.Risk factors of vascular disease include family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as smoking, being overweight or being inactive.Registration is required. Please visit mcidec22.eventbrite.com to reserve your spot or call (985) 873-5058 with any questions.
NAPERVILLE, IL – Drs. Moeen Saleem and Maria Rosa Costanzo, cardiologists at Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI), along with Dr. James Walsh, vascular surgeon, performed the first successful implantation of Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy at Edward-Elmhurst Health on November 2.
This is the world’s first FDA-approved heart failure device to use neuromodulation, the power of the brain and nervous system, to improve the symptoms of patients with systolic heart failure, which occurs in the heart’s left ventricle. This therapy was designed to treat heart failure in patients who have had little to no success with other proven treatment options.
Unlike other HF treatment options, Barostim does not touch the heart and utilizes an electrode that lies on the patient’s carotid artery. The electrical impulses sent from the device inform the brain of the heart’s condition, allowing the brain to improve the function of the heart. Over time, the heart regains strength and symptoms lessen. This unique technology is customizable to meet each patient’s individual needs and offers the potential to improve quality of life and reduce health risks associated with heart failure, including heart and kidney disease, stroke, and death.
“This technology is unique because it addresses the key mechanisms which cause progression of heart failure,” explained Dr. Maria Rosa Costanzo. “Barostim signals the brain to turn down sympathetic activation which damages heart, kidneys and blood vessels. Therefore, Barostim is a breakthrough for our patients with heart failure, giving them a chance to gain back their quality of life.”
Learn more about this technology here or ask your doctor of this treatment may be right for you.
NAPERVILLE, IL – Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI) is encouraging tobacco and nicotine users to join millions of Americans in pledging to give up nicotine— for a few hours, for the day, or for longer— on Thursday, November 17, in honor of the nationwide event, the Great American Smokeout.
MCI locations will have pledge jars and wooden hearts available for you to make a pledge (one heart= one hour without nicotine).
Smoking is the largest preventable risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Smoking causes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. A fourth of the deaths from heart disease each year can be linked directly to smoking. The connection is that cigarette smoke causes damage to the lining of the blood vessels.
Take next steps to level up your health, no matter where you are on your journey. Each quit attempt is a step forward.
Consult with your primary care provider to take the first step toward a tobacco-free life.
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Dr. Ann Davis
NAPERVILLE- Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI) is growing and expanding with a new location in South Plainfield at 16519 Illinois Route 59, where Dr. Ann R. Davis will see patients every Thursday beginning October 6.
This new location includes a larger waiting area than the previous Plainfield location, more exam rooms, and an overall larger space to accommodate patients during their visit.
The current Plainfield location on 127th Street will now be closing and moving forward. Dr. Davis also sees patients at the MCI clinic in Naperville located at Edward Hospital at 801 S. Washington, 4th Floor.
To make an appointment or reschedule at the location of your choice, please call (630) 600-0700.
NAPERVILLE- September is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month, bringing attention to vascular disease in the legs. Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI) diagnoses and treats this condition, marked by leg pain or cramping.
PAD occurs when peripheral arteries, most commonly in the legs, have plaque build-up or blockages, restricting blood flow. These blockages keep extremities and organs from receiving oxygenated blood. Just like clogged arteries in the heart, blocked arteries in the legs raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
One in 20 Americans over the age of 50 has PAD, but many do not recognize the symptoms, or realize they should see a cardiologist for treatment. PAD is a common condition; however if left untreated, it can affect quality of life and lead to amputation. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most patients can manage the symptoms of PAD and avoid amputation or heart attacks.
Symptoms of PAD include:
- Ulcers/wounds that won’t heal
- Pain or cramping in the legs
- Discoloration of the legs/feet
- Numbness or coldness in the legs/feet
- Slow hair growth on the legs
- Weak pulse in the legs
- Pale, shiny skin
Those who are most at risk for PAD include anyone over the age of 50, especially African Americans; those who smoke or have smoked; and those who have diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or a personal or family history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke.
A simple, painless ultrasound can test the blood flow in your legs to determine your risk of PAD. Click here to schedule an appointment or find a list of locations here.
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