Treating Cardiovascular Disease

What happens if I have cardiovascular disease, or if I’m at risk?
Saint Agnes Hospital of Baltimore offers a variety of cardiovascular services for those with coronary heart disease, a build-up of fatty deposits in the artery walls. Whether you’ve already been diagnosed with the disease, or you’re at risk, we can help.

Treatment Methods:

• Angioplasty. In this procedure, a catheter with a balloon attached is inserted into the blood vessel through an artery and guided to the obstruction. Once it reaches the obstruction, the balloon is inflated and allowed to grow, eventually crushing the fatty deposits and opening the blood vessel.
• Stent placement. Stents are metal mesh tubes inserted into the area of the clot or blockage. These tubes allow blood to flow through more easily. Stents are often used following an angioplasty.
• Treatment for blood clots. A vascular clot can be removed using either a catheter, which carries medicine to break up the clot, or surgery, which is used to treat deeper veins.

Programs, Classes and Support Groups:

• Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation. This is a monitored exercise and education program for patients with a variety of heart-related illnesses, as well as those recovering from heart attack and bypass surgery. To learn more, call 410-368-2246.
• The Heart Failure Center. Saint Agnes provides ongoing support for your treatment plan. Our team works with you and your doctor to detect coronary heart disease early and keep you feeling well. To learn more, call 410-368-2246.
• Coronary Care Unit: For those who require an inpatient stay due to a heart ailment, Saint Agnes offers a continuum of care appropriate to the patient’s need so that the process of recovery is enhanced to the highest degree.Our 12-bed Coronary Care Unit provides state-of-the-art technology and 24-hour care to answer the acute needs of the cardiac patient. For patients who no longer require acute coronary care, the hospital’s Progressive Care Unit offers "next-step" care.
• Healthy Heart Program. We provide a wide range of community outreach and education programs on topics related to the prevention of heart disease, as well as classes on general wellness, free screening services andearly heart attack symptom recognition. To learn more about program offerings call 410-368-2246.
• Heart Talks. In this series of monthly programs, health professionals share tips and advice to help you prevent and lower your risk of coronary heart disease. Call 410-368-2246 to attend for free.
• Cardiac Support Group. A heart problem can be an emotional experience for patients and their families. This group meets twice a month to offer compassionate support and healing for your spirit. Enrollment is free. Call 410-368-2246 to sign up for the next meeting.

 

More Information

Women's Heart Health Podcast

Recently Dr. Shannon Winakur was featured on the radio program, Women Talk Live to discuss the symptomatic differences between being stressed out and having a heart attack.  Dr. Winakur also provides valuable tips on how to prevent cardiovascular disease.  Click here to listen to Dr. Winakur's interview.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

If you see or have any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately

• Chest discomfort
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
• Shortness of breath

Stroke Warning Signs

If you see or have any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Provided by the American Heart Association.

 

Videos

Dr. Michael Zatina discusses vascular disease.

Dr. Carlos Ince discusses cardiovascular disease prevention.