- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour heart works hard every day to keep blood moving through your body — and your heart valves play a big role in making that happen. When a valve isn’t opening or closing the way it should, it can affect how efficiently your heart pumps. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart valve disease (or are experiencing symptoms), understanding your options can help you feel more confident and prepared for what’s ahead. Types of heart valve disease Heart valve diseases in adults are typically categorized into two main types, regurgitation and stenosis. Understanding this is a crucial first step in making informed care decisions. A properly functioning valve allows the heart to pump blood forward and in one direction. Regurgitation occurs when the valve does not close completely, causing blood to flow backward as the heart pumps. Stenosis occurs when the valve is unable to open completely, limiting the amount of blood flowing through the heart. In both of these conditions, the heart needs to work harder than it needs to in order to maintain proper flow to the body. This inefficiency, if not treated, can lead to weakening of the heart muscle. Symptoms of heart valve diseases Many people live with a heart valve that do not work correctly, sometimes without ever experiencing problems. Still, it is important to seek medical guidance once a heart valve condition is discovered since it can worsen over time. Signs and symptoms may include: Feeling like you can’t get enough air (shortness of breath) Dizziness or fainting Chest pain when you’re physically active Fast or slow heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmia) Fullness in your belly (abdomen), ankles, feet or the veins in your neck Unexplained fatigue Treatments for heart valve disease If you have been diagnosed with a heart valve disease, it can be successfully managed with medicines and observation. Sometimes, surgical procedures may be needed to correct the valve to allow for efficient pumping of blood through the heart. There are several reasons your specialist may recommend heart valve surgery, including: Changes in your heart valve. Tests may indicate that the changes are impacting your heart function. Damage to your heart valve. If an infection (endocarditis) damages the valve, your doctor may advise surgery. Defects in your heart valve. These may cause severe heart symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, heart failure or fainting. During open-heart surgery for another reason. If you’re having surgery for another heart condition — coronary artery bypass graft surgery, for example — your doctor may want to treat your heart valve disease at the same time. Other problems appear. For instance, you may have received a new heart valve in the past, and it is no longer working properly, or there may be other problems requiring surgery, such as infection, bleeding or blood clots. There are two main types of surgery that you may have: Heart valve repair, where your surgeon reconstructs one or more of the valve’s components. Valve repair maintains as much of your valve reducing the amount of artificial material used in the heart. Heart valve replacement, where your surgeon removes the diseased valve and replaces it with an artificial valve. The right approach depends on your specific condition, overall health and how well your heart is functioning. An experienced heart specialist can walk you through your options and help guide you on which treatment is best for you. Find a specialist you can trust If you have a heart valve condition, you will want a care team you can count on to answer your questions, ease your fears and get you back to the activities and people you love. Luminis Health is known for emergency life-saving heart attack care, a dedicated heart center, and today’s most promising technologies and treatments. Learn more at Luminis.Health/HeartHealth. Authors Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation.0
- Men's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you know a man who is reluctant to go to the doctor for a routine checkup? Maybe you are that man who avoids seeking medical treatment unless it’s an emergency. Many studies show that men are less likely than women to seek help for medical problems – including physical and emotional health issues. It could be because they are afraid to seem weak, or because they want to stay independent and in control. But this means men may be missing opportunities to deal with minor health issues before they become major problems. Routine checkups and screenings are necessary for staying healthy. The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force encourages men to have the following regular health screenings. High cholesterol. Beginning at age 35, men should get their cholesterol checked at a minimum of every five years. Men younger than age 35 could benefit from cholesterol testing if they smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease. High blood pressure. All men should get their blood pressure checked at least every two years, or more often if recommended by a healthcare provider. Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure are silent diseases, meaning symptoms may not always be obvious. Diabetes. Men should schedule a blood glucose test for diabetes if they have raised cholesterol or high blood pressure. They should also have this test if they notice signs of diabetes, such as frequent thirst and urination, extreme tiredness and blurred vision. Healthy men should get screened every three years starting at age 45. Colorectal cancer. Screenings should begin at age 50, or earlier if there is a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or a family history of colorectal cancer. Cancer screenings READ MORE: Cancer Care and Coronavirus: Taking Care of Our Patients Now and Into the Future The American Cancer Society also recommends the following screenings for men: Prostate cancer. Starting at age 50, men should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer testing. Men at high risk, including African-American men and those with a family history of the disease, should talk to their doctor at age 40 or 45. Lung cancer. Men ages 55 to 74 who are or were heavy smokers should talk to a doctor about whether a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer is right for them. Skin cancer. Men should keep an eye on all moles and spots on their skin, and report changes to a doctor immediately. You should speak with your healthcare provider about the right method of screening for you. Author By Tim Romanoski, MD, a physician at AAMG Centreville Family Medicine. To reach him, call 410-758-3303. Originally published June 13, 2017. Last updated June 16, 2020.0
- Why Choose Us?Both our breast cancer physical therapy program and lymphedema clinic help give you the brightest future possible. You can trust us with your care because:We'll work closely with your cancer care team. We meet with your care team to discuss how to best guide your care. This can give us a clearer picture, for instance, of your risk factors for lymphedema.We have highly trained, experienced therapists. You won't see a general speech language pathologist for swallowing problems related to cancer treatment. You'll see someone who treats only patients with similar conditions. And our lymphedema therapists meet the highest standards to qualify for certification.We'll create a care path just for you. No two patients with breast cancer are alike. We'll work with the rest of your care team to create a plan that best suits you.TreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageOur breast cancer rehabilitation specialists make your treatment and recovery easier. And our lymphedema therapists assess and manage post-surgery swelling.Physical Therapy for Breast CancerWhy do physical therapy for breast cancer? It's one of the most powerful tools we have for helping you get your precancer status back.Physical therapy helps reduce side effects from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Plus, it lessens the emotional fall-out after your breast cancer diagnosis. Physical therapy even improves your life after you've finished treatment. Lymphedema ManagementWhat is lymphedema, and what causes it?Some of the fluid in your blood leaks into the surrounding tissues. This liquid (called lymph) travels through a network of "pipes" that carry it back to your bloodstream. Sometimes fluid gets trapped, causing swelling (lymphedema) in an arm, leg, or another body part. And if left alone, lymphedema can worsen.The good news? Our certified lymphedema therapists can spot early clues when this process is starting and step in to help. We're trained to treat and manage lymphedema so you get back to the life you want.We use several techniques to improve lymph drainage. One method is a type of massage that coaxes fluid out of the part of the body where it's collected. Sometimes we use a state-of-the-art device to do the same job. It works something like a blood pressure cuff that automatically inflates, then deflates.Lymphedema therapists also use bandaging and specially designed pieces of clothing to redirect pooled fluid using gentle pressure. Your therapist teaches you exercises and other strategies for promoting lymph outflow, too. These tools allow you to learn how to manage lymphedema on your own.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFamily gatherings, celebrations, extravagant meals, and lavish desserts—the holiday season is full of indulgences that can be damaging to your heart health. We asked William C. Maxted, MD, cardiologist and director of the Heart and Vascular Unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center, to share tips for maintaining a healthy heart while still enjoying all the holiday season has to offer. Here are four of his recommendations: 1. Enjoy Without Overindulging The holidays and food go hand in hand. With food at the center of attention from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, it’s easy to overindulge at times. It’s okay to eat the foods you enjoy, but it’s important to still be mindful of what you’re eating. Eat more slowly and visit the buffet with a smaller plate to help you to keep portions in control. And, a diet- and fitness-tracking app helps you keep an eye on how many calories you are really consuming. It’s best to avoid food with a lot of salt, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Don’t overindulge on alcohol either, as it can affect your heart in many different ways, even causing heart rhythm disturbances. Moderate alcohol intake is best—ideally two drinks at most. Even if you don’t have a heart condition, excess alcohol should be avoided. 2. Remember to Relax Pressure from hosting family and friends, travel, holiday shopping, and attending multiple parties can raise stress and anxiety levels. A high level of stress is never good for your heart. Planning ahead and setting limits is the best way to enjoy the holidays while avoiding additional stress and anxiety. Be realistic about what you can fit into your schedule and prioritize. 3. Exercise When You Can It can be difficult to maintain an exercise routine during the hectic holiday season. Try incorporating exercise into your schedule of holiday activities. 4. Listen to Your Body There is an increase in cardiac deaths during the holidays, possibly because people ignore symptoms to avoid disrupting the merriment. When symptoms arise that could be cardiac related, seek medical care immediately. A delay can end in a worse result than stopping the holiday party, and it’s not worth the risk. Author William C. Maxted Jr., MD, is a cardiologist at Cardiology Associates in Annapolis and Bowie. He can be reached at (410) 573-6480.0
- Cancer Care, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Oncology and Hematology has received reaccreditation by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certification program. This designation certifies that AAMC Oncology and Hematology continuously meets nationally recognized standards set by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for safe, quality cancer care. “ASCO’s QOPI certification recognizes those oncology practices that are committed to delivering the highest quality of cancer care,” said ASCO President Daniel F. Hayes, MD, FASCO. “By achieving recertification, this practice has demonstrated its commitment to quality and safety excellence in the care they deliver to patients, as well as to the continuous process of quality improvement.” QOPI certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its kind for oncology in the United States. Only 250 practices are currently certified. AAMC Oncology and Hematology, located in Annapolis and Odenton, provides quality and compassionate care for patients with complex oncology/hematology related problems. The team of highly trained doctors, nurse practitioners and staff encourages open communication with patients. For more information about AAMC Oncology and Hematology, visit www.myaamg.org/oncology-and-hematology.0
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