Women’s Heart Programs Scheduled for American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month and the goal is to raise awareness about everyone’s risk for heart disease and the steps to take for prevention. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, which is why The Dottie Fuqua Women’s Heart Support Network offers a holistic wellness program that aims to prevent the onset and support those with cardiovascular disease through high-caliber education and wellness coaching. The free program is supported by philanthropic support to promote equity and access for all women.

Piedmont Heart Institute seeks to educate women regarding their heart disease risks and to empower them to take control of their heart health. Lifestyle changes can reduce risk by up to 80 percent. The program is offered at Piedmont Atlanta, Piedmont Fayette and Piedmont Newnan. The Women’s Heart Support Network has many free events and ongoing classes available to help educate women about their risks of heart disease and empower them to do what they can to prevent it.

Workshops in February include:

• Nuts ‘N Berries Store Tour with Dr. Neacsu will take place Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. at 4272 Peachtree Rd NE in Brookhaven.

• Smoothie Bowl Bonanza with Catt Jordan will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m at Trillith Studios, 200 Trillith Pkwy in Fayetteville.

• SMART Mindfulness Training is an eight-week course facilitated by Dr. Rollings that will start on Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. and is hosted virtually via Zoom.

• 21-Day Accountability Challenge will start on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 12 p.m. Maureen Sweatman, Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Living Coaching, will lead a 21-Day Challenge that focuses on getting the accountability you need to create new habits and meet your 2023 goals.

There are also several recurring online classes offered each week. Strength and Power Fitness is a 45-minute class offered Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Guided Meditation is offered Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and on Fridays at 11 a.m. Pilates is offered on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. Yoga is offered on Mondays at 11 a.m. and on Thursdays at 5 p.m. No prior experience is required for any of the classes. Learn more about The Women’s Heart Support Network and these free programs, as well as register, at www.piedmont.org/womensheartsupport

New CT Scanner at Piedmont Newnan Produces Advanced Images

A breakthrough in computed tomography (CT) technology is enabling physicians at Piedmont Newnan Hospital to obtain high accuracy, low dose, and stunning, high-resolution, information-rich images. The hospital is now able to offer advanced cardiac imaging on the new Somatom FORCE, a dual-source CT scanner that produces advanced imaging in a short amount of time and with a much lower dose of radiation.

“The images produced, and the speed and relative ease of the procedure, makes this a very valuable piece of technology for our physicians, our imaging department, and the patients they care for,” said Vicki Kaiser, COO of Piedmont Newnan. “I was fortunate enough to try the new dual source CT and was very impressed with the incredible image it was able to create.”

The dual source CT enables the user to perform an entire adult chest, abdomen, and pelvis study in only one second, so patients do not need to hold their breath. This is especially helpful for patients who present with shortness of breath or those being evaluated for pulmonary embolism. The physician and radiologist can now make faster, more confident decisions and deliver timely intervention. In cardiac imaging, the dual source CT can obtain an entire study within a single heartbeat, capturing even the fastest-moving anatomy such as the right coronary artery.

“My scan showed blockage in one of my arteries due to my genetics, despite being physically fit and eating right,” said Kaiser. “My dad died of heart disease in his fifties, along with other members of my extended family, but with this new technology available, I’m confident he could have lived a much longer life.”

For anyone that is experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, or for those with a strong family history of heart disease, it is recommended that they see a cardiologist.

“With advanced imaging the new CT provides, we are able to obtain high resolution images of the arteries supplying blood to the heart,” said Sujith Kuruvilla, M.D., cardiologist who specializes in hypertension, heart failure, and cardiovascular imaging. “The absence of cholesterol build-up in the arteries on the test effectively rules out the likelihood that symptoms are from blocked arteries, while if blockages are present, the scan can detect the type of cholesterol build-up and any further testing needed. The scan can also help us recommend treatment options, including the use of cholesterol lowering medications, which slow down the progression of cholesterol build-up in the arteries and reduce the risk of death from future heart attacks.”

Piedmont Newnan has consistently earned the MI Registry’s Platinum Performance Achievement Award since 2019, which recognizes Piedmont Newnan’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Piedmont Newnan has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

“These recognitions demonstrate our staff and physicians’ consistent commitment to safety and high quality, patient-centered care,” said Kaiser. “Advanced technology like the dual source CT helps them deliver that care and continue to make a positive difference in every life they touch.”

To learn more about radiology and imaging services at Piedmont Newnan, visit piedmont.org/Newnan

Piedmont Heart Institute Newnan Added Three New Cardiologists in Second Half of 2022

Piedmont Heart Institute, Piedmont Healthcare’s nationally recognized heart and vascular program, welcomed three new cardiologists to Newnan in 2022 as part of its commitment to expand access to these critical sub-specialties.

“By adding these talented physicians, we are able to provide greater access to heart and vascular care for Piedmont patients throughout the state of Georgia,” said Charles L. Brown III, M.D., CEO of Piedmont’s Physician Enterprise. “Because of the generous philanthropic gifts we have received and as a result of our commitment to be a national leader in this area, we are able to expand our cardiovascular services and make a positive difference in the lives we touch.”

The following physicians have joined Piedmont Heart in Newnan since July of 2022:

• Ajay Kaja, M.D. – (general cardiology) joined Piedmont Heart Institute in Fayetteville and Newnan on July 24. Dr. Kaja earned his medical degree at NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada Osmania Medical College, completed his residency at Creighton University Medical Center and his fellowship in cardiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, and is also certified by the National Board of Echocardiography Inc.

• Bashar Al-Turk, D.O. - (general cardiology) joined Piedmont Heart Institute in Fayetteville, Newnan and Sharpsburg on July 25. Dr. Al-Turk specializes in cardiovascular disease, echocardiology and nuclear medicine and received his medical degree from Lake Eri College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he also completed his fellowship in cardiovascular disease. His clinical interests include the treatment of heart failure and coronary artery disease with an emphasis on prevention and lifestyle medicine. He is board certified in Internal Medicine.

• Ahmadreza (Reza) Karimianpour, D.O. – (cardiology, electrophysiology) joined the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Piedmont Heart Institute in Buckhead, Fayetteville, and Newnan on Aug. 8. He received his medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic and his fellowships in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Karimianpour’s clinical interests include catheter ablation of complex arrhythmias as well as cardiac device implantation and management, with a special interest in treatment of ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

About Piedmont Heart

Piedmont Heart Institute is ranked top in Georgia for cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News and World Report, ranks in the top 5 percent in the country among cardiovascular organizations and is the only program in Atlanta consistently recognized with the Cardiac Care Excellence Award – a mark of quality it has earned for more than 10 years. Piedmont is an international leader in cardiovascular research, enabling patient access to innovative therapies not available elsewhere. For more information, visit piedmont.org/heart