News

Within eight minutes of his heart attack, Fitzgerald was being wheeled into the emergency room, where David Roberts, M.D., chief of cardiology, and his team were waiting for him. They rushed him to the cardiac catherization lab and discovered he had four blocked arteries that were preventing blood flow to and from his heart. Within 44 minutes from Fitzgerald's arrival at the hospital, Dr. Roberts inserted a thin tube into his heart and inflated a small balloon to open up the blocked artery that was causing the heart attack.

Interventional Cardiologist, David Slovut, M.D., Ph.D. inserted a stent in Stephen Sawtell's leg artery to restore blood flow. "It was amazing," said Sawtell. "I got out of bed after that procedure and I could feel a difference. I could walk again without that burning sensation. I couldn't wait to get back to the beach."

The new Outpatient Care Center includes a Cardiology Diagnostic suite, where members of North Shore Cardiovascular Associates provide general consultative exams as well as cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiology (EKG), echocardiography, Holter/events monitoring. nuclear cardiology and treadmill stress testing.

The NSMC Heart Center is one of only three community hospitals statewide to perform interventional cardiac procedures (including balloon angioplasty) and cardiac surgery. "Rapid access to care makes a huge difference," adds Dr. Howard Waldman. "When a patient with a blocked artery arrives at a typical community hospital, they are put into an ambulance for the long trip to a Boston hospital. At NSMC, we put those same patients into an elevator to our Cath Lab on the fifth floor. The time we save is critical - this is better care."

The development of atherosclerosis, or blocking up of arteries with cholesterol plaque, is almost entirely related to lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, and a poor diet. Even those with a strong family history of heart attacks and strokes, can markedly improve their risk if correct lifestyle choices are made and followed.

Exercise is extremely important for good health. Ideally you should aim to burn 2000 calories per week during exercise. This is about 3-4 hours of vigorous exercise, walking 20 miles throughout the week, or walking 10,000 steps per day as measured by a pedometer. You should include a stretching and strengthening program as well. A regular resistance program increases muscle mass and metabolism, helps to control weight, and decreases the chances of developing diabetes and osteoporosis.

If you smoke, you must quit as soon as possible. The chemicals that enter your bloodstream from even a single cigarette will oxidize the LDL (bad cholesterol) and accelerate the buildup of plaque in the artery wall.

Diet remains the foundation for good health. For many people, the standard American diet which is high in animal fat, sugar, and calories plays a direct role in their developing of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

We recommend the Mediterranean Diet. Experimental evidence shows that this diet can help to control weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease and strokes. This diet is characterized by 1) an abundance of minimally processed, seasonally fresh plant foods (fruits, vegetables, soy, whole grain breads, and cereals, beans, nuts, and seeds); 2) fish and poultry in moderate amounts; 3) olive oil as the principal source of fat; 4) small amounts of low-fat dairy products such as cheese and yogurt; and 5) desserts comprised typically of fresh fruit daily with occasional sweets containing refined sugars. Red meat is allowed on occasion and up to 4 eggs per week are allowed. Wine with meals in low to moderate amounts (2 glasses for men, 1 for women) is suggested.

We recommend a multiple vitamin daily in addition, most people in New England require a vitamin D supplement. Please ask your doctor about the specific dose. If you don't eat fish regularly, you might want to talk to your doctor about taking 2-4 fish oil or flaxseed oil capsules daily. Vitamin C and E supplements have not been shown to reduce heart disease and are not recommended.

More helpful links:
Learn about your cholesterol
CardioSmart
What are the different types of fat?
If you have high blood pressure, seriously consider following the DASH diet. Click here for more information.

Racing from his job as a bar manager at Salem AOH to manage his son's Babe Ruth baseball team, then back home to spend time with his wife and three children, Tom Tardiff, a 48-year old Peabody (and former Salem) resident leads a very full life. But three years ago, while giving a presentation at work, he felt lightheaded and dizzy, his color paled and he needed to sit down. He immediately went to his NSMC primary care physician, Marvin Clopper, M.D., who ordered an electrocardiogram (EKG)a test that evaluates the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart.

It's 1:30 a.m.; your pager is chirping: 5 minute to call the hospital. Your patient is transported by Emergency Medical Services, arrives in the ED cold and clammy with chest pain rated 10/10. The ED physician activates the cardiac catheterization laboratory's percutaneous coronary intervention team. Door-to-balloon time should be less than 90 minutes. Minutes matter.

NSMC is a leader among community hospitals in the use of electronic medication management technologies. From the initial entry of a patient's medication order by a physician, through its fulfillment in the pharmacy, administration by a nurse and final documentation in the patient's permanent medical record, the entire process is designed to be seamless and safe.

In accordance with national guidelines and President Obama's directive, North Shore Cardiovascular Associates has successfully implemented an electronic medical record. The system was designed by Partners Healthcare Computer department and is named LMR (longitudinal medical record). It is now used by essentially all physician practices within Partners allowing close collaboration between medical providers. For example, results of a medical test performed at North Shore Medical Center is immediately available for review by a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital or Brigham and Women's Hospital, and vice versa.

The electronic medical record dramatically decreases the chance of a medical error, such as the prescription of inappropriate medication or duplication of a test. LMR also allows physicians to prescribe medications using electronic transfer to the pharmacy or prescription drug plan, removing errors associated with illegible writing and protecting against duplication and possible drug interactions. Electronically transferred prescriptions will be ready to be picked up at your pharmacy, or mailed from your prescription plan.

Electronic medical record is protected by a unique password, assigned to staff and closely guarded against electronic break-ins and inappropriate use per federal guidelines. LMR is accessible from any computer, and our physicians have 24/7 access to patient information to help with anything from an emergency to a prescription refill.

This is a unique system, taking medical care to a new dimension and into the future.