Behind the Scenes - Cardiac Services

Licking Memorial Cardiac Services takes great pride in providing excellent cardiovascular services to the community and offers a full spectrum of both inpatient and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, including:

• Mobile cardiac telemetry/holter monitor
• Cardiac stress testing
• Nuclear stress testing – pharmacologic and exercise
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Tilt table testing
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
• Cardioversion
• 2D/3D Echocardiogram

To support patients from the onset of their disease through recovery, Licking Memorial Cardiac Services is also committed to providing access to state-of-the art treatment options, including coronary angiography, stenting, thrombolysis, biventricular pacing for heart failure, and implantable defibrillators. Last year, Cardiac Services increased access to heart care in Licking County with the addition of coronary computed tomography angiogram (CTA), a non-invasive method for detecting blockages in the coronary arteries. During a CTA procedure, the patient lies on a scanning table as X-rays pass through the body to produce 3D images of the heart. Physicians use images to determine whether plaque or calcium deposits are present in the artery walls. This added diagnostic tool aids cardiologists in the early detection and management of patients with heart disease and allows patients to receive the care they need close to home.

With remote patient monitoring through LifeStream, telehealth options are also available. The service allows cardiac nurses to deliver clinical oversight to heart failure patients without the need for them to leave their home. The monitoring system can check blood pressure, heart rate, and weight and notify Cardiac Services if intervention is needed. The goal of the program is to catch the warning signs of a cardiac event early and prevent a visit to the Hospital. Should a cardiac event occur that requires hospitalization, the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Cardiac Rehabilitation Program assists patients with restoring and enhancing both physical and psychological health. The program focuses on complete cardiac patient care including the development of an individualized health and fitness plan.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and has met quality standards required by the Association to ensure the highest level of patient care and starts when the patient is in the Hospital recovering from a heart event. During this time, staff gives support and answers questions, discusses risk factors, provides healthy lifestyle information, introduces a low-level exercise program, and offers basic guidelines so patients feel comfortable returning home.

Two to four weeks after the patient is released from the Hospital, they meet with a Cardiac Rehabilitation nurse to begin developing a plan for recovery. Patients start slowly with a safe exercise program to help them become stronger and attend weekly education classes. Typically, Cardiac Rehabilitation sessions take place three times a week; however, a customized program is based on the individual’s specific needs. During the session, patients exercise using a variety of equipment, are monitored by a nurse or other healthcare professional, and have their heart rate and blood pressure checked. A registered dietitian will also meet with patients during the program to discuss heart-healthy eating and answer any questions.

Following a patient’s formal rehabilitation program, they will continue to use the heart-healthy skills they have learned. Their exercise routine can be continued at home, at the gym, or at one of the LMH Wellness Centers located at 1717 West Main Street and at the Career and Technology Education Centers (C-TEC) of Licking County on Price Road in Newark. The Wellness Centers support the initiatives implemented in the previous phases and encourage the continuation of healthy habits. The Cardiac Rehabilitation staff also continues to provide support and monitor success of the customized program as a patient progresses toward a new, healthy lifestyle.

The LMH Heart Failure Clinic also helps patients manage their condition so they can experience a higher quality of life. There is no cure for heart failure; however, many individuals are able to slow the progression of the disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure, being physically active, limiting emotional stress, getting adequate sleep, and limiting sodium, alcohol, caffeine, and dietary fat. Partnering with the patient, the Heart Failure Clinic staff provides education, assessment, monitoring, and advice to patients in order to help them make these lifestyle changes.

The Heart Failure Clinic team consists of experienced cardiac nurses and pharmacists, with a cardiologist providing oversight. They offer patients an array of services and tools to help control their disease. Patients receive a physical assessment, one-on-one education, medication dose adjustments, medication therapy, and may consult a cardiologist when visiting the Clinic. Calendars to record both weight and symptoms, bathroom scales, a sodium tracker chart, and pill boxes are also provided to patients to help them implement the strategies learned while visiting the Clinic. If a heart failure patient is having a problem, it can often be resolved at the LMH Heart Failure Clinic rather than requiring hospitalization.

People with heart disease need to follow a treatment plan for the rest of their lives, as complications can arise if the condition is not treated properly. Licking Memorial Heart Center, physicians Eesha Maiodna, M.D., Hassan Rajjoub, M.D., FACC, Fikadu G. Tekleyes, M.D., and nurse practitioners, Angela M. Raake, APRN-CNP and Leslie N. Solomon, APRN-CNP, provide 24- hour care for patients with cardiovascular illnesses. The Heart Center offers a wide range of office-based services to include cardiac disease management such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cardiac device therapy. To learn more about and services provided by Licking Memorial Cardiac Services, visit LMHealth.org.

| Posted On : 7/20/2023 3:52:42 PM