Most of us know someone who has suffered a stroke. The consequences can be...
Often called the silent killer, heart disease comes in many shapes and sizes. From a congenital heart defect or rhythm disturbance to a sudden heart attack or stroke, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States – and right here in Oklahoma. That’s why we’ve dedicated an entire hospital to fighting it. With groundbreaking research, state-of-the-art technology and some of the region’s most experienced physicians, this is one fight we believe we can help win.
Aortic stenosis is a common condition in which the heart’s aortic valve, which carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart and distributes it from throughout the body, narrows or becomes obstructed preventing proper circulation. Though symptoms can be subtle, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and lightheadedness and may result in a sudden cardiac event or even death. The condition can be present from birth or develop over time.
Because new research highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of aortic stenosis, Oklahoma Heart Institute offers a number of diagnostic tests designed to identify the condition at the earliest possible stage.
Our team of cardiovascular surgeons has significant experience in performing aortic valve replacement, the most common surgery to repair aortic stenosis. New research confirms that surgical intervention allows many patients to live longer, healthier lives with minimal risk.
Congenital heart disease is a heart defect that is present from birth. It can be caused by any number of problems including malformations of the blood vessels in the heart, problems with heart valves, structural defects of the heart muscle walls, or abnormal connections between the heart and the blood vessels that carry blood to and from other parts of the body. Some congenital heart defects cause problems at birth while others become more abnormal with age, causing symptoms and problems to worsen in a person’s teenage or adult years.
The exact cause of congenital heart defects is largely unknown, but many experts believe that genetic and environmental factors play a role. While some congenital defects heal on their own in childhood, others require surgery or medication. Oklahoma Heart Institute’s Adolescent & Adult Congenital Heart Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of these defects. From advanced non-surgical procedures to medication and other therapies, our specialists provide patients with comprehensive care as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Each year, more than 550,000 Americans are diagnosed with heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to keep up with the circulatory needs of the vital organs of the body. Though the heart continues to work, it is unable to provide enough oxygen and nutrients into the body. This puts increased pressure on the heart, which causes the heart muscle to weaken and the kidneys to retain water. Because of the dangerous fluid-build up that can occur in the arms, legs, lungs or other organs, heart failure is often referred to as congestive heart failure.
There are many factors that can damage the heart muscle and contribute to heart failure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions such as diabetes or congenital heart defects can put too much pressure on the heart, causing it to work too hard and become damaged. Coronary artery disease, a condition in which the blood vessels leading to the heart narrow or become blocked, can also result in heart failure by depriving the heart of oxygen and valuable nutrients. Damage to the heart muscle can also occur from heart attack, drug and alcohol abuse or other injuries or illnesses. If heart failure is suspected, diagnostic testing is conducted to confirm the diagnosis.
Oklahoma Heart Institute’s Heart Failure CARE Center is the region’s most comprehensive program dedicated to the treatment of heart failure. Our experienced cardiologists and medical experts work to improve patients’ length and quality of life by improving the performance of the heart.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough or properly use insulin, a hormone used to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily activities. People with diabetes have a much greater risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. In fact, two out of every three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
The two most common types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. As a result, the body is not able to produce enough insulin for it to function normally. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin to survive. While there is no known cause of this disease, many believe it is genetic or the result of environmental factors such as viruses. Symptoms often develop over a short period of time and may include increased thirst and urination, frequent hunger, weight loss, blurred vision and extreme fatigue.
Type 2 diabetes, often called non-insulin dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. An estimated 95 percent of the people with diabetes have this type, which is often associated with obesity, inactivity, ethnicity and age. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot effectively use the insulin they produce. This eventually causes insulin production to decrease. Some people with Type 2 diabetes must rely on insulin injections while others can control their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes develop gradually and often include fatigue or nausea, frequent urination and thirst, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision and frequent or slow-healing infections.
Our Center for Diabetes Management offers one of the most comprehensive diabetes management programs in the region. Through one-on-one counseling or group sessions, patients learn to manage their diabetes through diet, exercise and medications tailored to their lifestyle. For more information, call (918) 574-9000 or dial directly at (918) 579-3385.
Myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as heart attack, is the most serious outcome of coronary heart disease. During a heart attack the arteries leading to the heart become blocked, cutting off the supply of blood to the heart muscle.
Heart attacks occur suddenly and can result in serious damage to the heart muscle if not treated promptly. Symptoms can vary from person to person but some of the most common warning signs for a heart attack include:
If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to seek treatment immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.
Hyperlipidemia (Cholesterol/Triglycerides) occurs when there is an excess of fatty substances called lipids in the blood. The two primary types of lipids found in people with hyperlipidemia are cholesterol and triglycerides, which are the most common form of fat. The lipids attach to protein and travel through the blood stream. These fat-protein complexes are known as lipoproteins. Many people are familiar the two main types of lipoproteins: low density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) and high density lipoprotein (HDL or “good cholesterol”).
Too much bad cholesterol can contribute to blocked arteries and increase the risk of heart attack. In contrast, not having enough HDL, or good cholesterol, in the bloodstream can increase the risk of heart disease. Since hyperlipidemia often has no symptoms, it is important to have cholesterol levels checked regularly through a simple blood test. The professionals at Oklahoma Heart Institute’s Lipid & Wellness Center work use lifestyle modification and medical therapies to help patients treat – and reverse – hyperlipidemia. For more information, call (918) 574-9000.
Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is caused by pressure or tension in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to all the tissues and organs in the body. A major contributor to the hardening of the arteries (known as coronary artery disease), hypertension is a dangerous condition since it causes the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. While having high blood pressure does not mean you have heart disease, it does increase the risk of developing it.
Hypertension also increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by the presence of three or more risk factors that increase your chances of developing heart disease and other health problems such as diabetes and stroke. The risk factors include:
Hypertension and other risk factors for metabolic syndrome can be successfully managed through weight loss, increased physical activity and a healthy diet that includes less saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
Each year more than 850,000 people in the United States are hospitalized to treat an irregular heart rhythm, also called arrhythmia or dysrhythmia. An irregular heart rhythm is a disturbance in the normal pace of the heart, causing it to beat too slow or too fast. Arrhythmias can be caused by many different factors including coronary artery disease, electrolyte imbalances and changes in the heart muscle due to injury from a heart attack or heart surgery.
The most common type of irregular heartbeat is atrial fibrillation (AF). Found in more than 2.2 million Americans, AF occurs when the electrical signal that normally causes the upper part of the heart (the atria) to contract becomes disrupted. Instead, the atria receives too many electrical signals causing it too beat too fast. The abnormal electrical signals cause the heart to shudder (or fibrillate) and prevent the heart from pumping blood efficiently through the body. If left untreated, AF can lead to heart failure or stroke.
While some people with an irregular heart rhythm do not experience any symptoms, others feel palpitations or a fluttering in the chest, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose irregular heart rhythm including electrocardiography, stress tests, and cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology studies. Treatments include medication, surgery and lifestyle changes. Oklahoma Heart Institute’s Advanced Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Dysrhythmia and Pacemaker Clinic offer some of the area’s most advanced treatment options for patients experiencing irregular heart rhythms.
Like the arteries leading to the heart, fat and cholesterol deposits can cause blood vessels in the other areas of the body to become blocked, preventing the supply of blood to limbs. This is known as Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD. More than 8 million Americans have PAD, which often can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
PAD is most common in the arteries leading to the legs. As a result, some people with PAD experience leg pain or cramping when walking, numbness, wounds that heal slowly or changes in the color of the legs.
People with PAD are at higher risk for heart attack and stroke, and those who smoke or are diabetic have an especially high risk of developing PAD. Because many people have no symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else, it is important to talk with your doctor about any leg discomfort. A simple test can be performed to diagnose PAD.
A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Because brain cells begin to die within a few minutes, prompt treatment is vital to preventing brain damage and minimizing other possible complications of stroke such as paralysis, memory loss and impaired speech.
While there are several types of strokes, the most common is an ischemic stroke, which is caused by blockage in a blood vessel leading to the brain. Another type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Strokes happen suddenly and often without warning. If you or someone you know begins to experience difficulty walking, speaking or seeing or experiences paralysis or numbness on one side of the body, seek medical treatment immediately. Other symptoms include a sudden or severe headache.
While strokes remain a serious threat, recent medical advances have made them easier to prevent and treat. Managing risk factors through diet, exercise and other lifestyle modifications can dramatically reduce the risk of stroke.
Thyroid conditions are often linked to heart disease. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, which produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic processes (the ability to break down calories and produce energy). Thyroid problems are often the result of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism increase a person’s chance of developing heart disease, and can affect many aspects of a person’s health including weight gain, energy levels, and body temperature.
Also known as cardiovascular disease, heart disease is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that affect the heart’s ability to function normally. From coronary artery disease to heart failure and valve disease, it can take many forms. While heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., it is possible to decrease your risk of developing heart disease.
Most of us know someone who has suffered a stroke. The consequences can be...
