Local experts give tips for monitoring your heart health
As American Heart Month is just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to check in on the outlook locally and what both health networks are doing to help combat the No. 1 killer of all Americans—heart disease.
Dr. Harvey Hahn is the director of the cardiovascular fellowship training program and also serves as the co-director of KPN CV Quality at Kettering Medical Center. Hahn says that the three biggest health concerns that continue to increase the incidence of heart disease are atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat), heart failure and the obesity epidemic.
“With the change of seasons, the biggest thing I’m seeing now is that people are getting shorter of breath,” Hahn says. “When this happens, people are concerned that they might have a heart problem.”
The winter season, though, also coincides with rising rates of viral illnesses, so it’s important that people who are ill get checked by a medical professional. Hahn says the most important tests people can get to determine their risk for heart disease are blood pressure, cholesterol and an EKG (electrocardiogram).
“People need to know their numbers,” Hahn says. “Things like body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are also important. And an irregular heart rate, like AFIB, can lead to heart failure or stroke.”
Another noninvasive test is an ultrasound, which provides a picture of a heart beating in real time. Physicians use these images to uncover valve problems as well as to determine the strength of the heart muscle.
Hahn says that though the obesity problem in the U.S. is still too high, there appears to be a slight leveling off.
For the first time ever though, there has been a decline in the average life span,” Hahn says. “COVID-19 has been a factor, but obesity leads to diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which can significantly shorten lifespan,” he says. Hahn adds that exercise is one of the most underused therapies. It helps people feel better and keeps hearts healthier
“People need to get enough sleep and exercise and quite simply, eat less,” Hahn says. “It’s easy to hunker down in the winter and eat more, but this is the worst thing you can do.”
At Premier Health, a new partnership with The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati will change heart disease is treated locally.
According to Deb Kiser, the heart service line executive of the Premier and Christ collaboration, the partnership will give both systems the ability to provide higher quality of services and improve the health of the community without adding excess capital costs.
“People can get quality care without leaving our local markets,” Kiser says. “And they now have access to more clinical trials.”
Access remains a major issue of concern for both hospital systems. The goal is to provide quality care, so patients don’t have to drive to other cities.
Christ offers comprehensive heart screenings that are now available to patients in Dayton. Patients also have access to cutting-edge technology and therapies through the 130 active clinical trials through the Christ network.
“We are raising the bar for heart and vascular services across the region with this collaboration,” Kiser says. “And keeping the care close to home.”
