Heart & Vascular Center M
ovin’ on up! Patients of the Heart & Vascular Center now have quicker access to care and overall convenience under one roof in a new location. “I always say it’s not the building, but the people in it that matters, but the new facility does give us the opportunity to do things more efficiently,” says Andrew Hordes, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Center. “Everything is in one place, and there are circumstances when someone comes into the office, and it is an urgent situation. We can now get certain tests done right away and being down the hall from our testing area makes it streamlined. It’s good to be in the same building.” Formerly known as The Cardiology Center, the newly named Heart & Vascular Center is now located in an 8,000 square-foot space inside Watauga Medical Center. The setting is new but offers the same award-winning, quality care to patients. Prior to the move, space was an issue. Parking could be scarce. Staff shared desks and offices. Social distancing for patients and personnel was harder to implement. The move now allows for a better working environment and roomier waiting area, as well as convenience of care. “Our patients have been very impressed with our new office space and comment that it is so warm and inviting,” says Beth Miller, Senior Director for Clinical Support Services. “Also, they like that we now have the ability to provide vascular care in the same office they receive their cardiology care—it’s been a real plus.” The Heart & Vascular Center offers a full spectrum of cardiology and vascular
By Koren Gillespie
services to the community. Common heart disease in the United States. About patient needs include heart monitors to 805,000 Americans have a heart attack per evaluate for heart arrhythmias, high blood year. Heart disease is the leading cause of pressure management, stress testing and death for both men and women, and one echocardiography to evaluate the heart, in four deaths are due to heart disease. The management of pacemakers and defibril- main culprits for heart disease are high lators, management of heart failure, and blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, care after a heart attack. Additionally, and smoking, and about 47 percent of medical personnel often see undiagnosed Americans have at least one of these three vascular issues during a general assess- risk factors. Think about how many people ment of their cardiac patients. The most you personally know who have suffered prevalent issue is peripheral artery disease from cardiac-related conditions, and sadly, (PAD), leg pain, and decreased circulation. you are likely to come up with at least a Miller adds, “Every day I work with handful of people. To meet these everstaff and providers who demonstrate growing needs, Appalachian Regional compassion and care to our patients and Healthcare System continues to prioritize families. And, in many cases, our staff and cardiovascular care as demonstrated with providers go above and beyond to not only the newly expanded Heart & Vascular provide exceptional care but an excep- Center. tional patient experience. Our team gets “One of the primary missions of our to experience the enjoyment of providing healthcare system is to provide high qualcardiac and vascular care during a really ity, compassionate care close to home,” critical time in a patient’s life. Often, we shares Miller. “We pride ourselves at the are able to experience the positive impact Heart and Vascular Center by focusing when caring for someone through a criti- on state-of-the-art care here in the High cal illness. We get to take care of them as Country. We want to treat each patient we watch them return to a healthier way of like they are a member of our family, strivlife. That’s truly rewarding!” ing to provide excellent care right here Also new to the Heart & Vascular in our surrounding communities. We Center is the ability to provide 24-hour, have excellent providers, excellent staff, seven-days-a-week catheterization lab and now excellent healthcare facilities in coverage. For patients experiencing the which to care for our community. The enmost serious symptoms of heart attack, all tire healthcare team genuinely wants to access availability saves time and allows for care for each patient by providing attenquicker, possibly lifesaving interventions. tion to individual needs and the individual The need to prevent and treat cardio- needs of their families,” concludes Miller. vascular health issues is still an ongoing effort for our nation and local community. For more information about the Heart & Vascular Center, Statistics from the Centers of Disease visit http://apprhs.org/heart/ or call Control and Prevention (CDC) show (828) 264-9664. troublesome facts about the burden of CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE Winter 2020/21 —
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