- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA cardiologist can diagnose and treat many heart conditions, but if you require surgery, your cardiologist will refer you to a cardiac surgeon. Below, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Murtaza Dawood, MD, explains some of the differences between a cardiac surgeon and a cardiologist. Is a cardiac surgeon also a cardiologist? No, a cardiologist receives medical training while a cardiac surgeon receives surgical training. If you need surgery, a cardiac surgeon will be involved before, during, and immediately after your surgery. In many cases, once you have recovered, you will not need to continue to follow up with your surgeon. Your cardiologist will follow your path before and after surgery to help manage your condition, and will continue to follow up with you in the long term. For example, a cardiologist can diagnose heart disease and work on managing the disease through medication and lifestyle changes. The surgeon, on the other hand, surgically corrects the issue. Why would I need a cardiac surgeon if I already have a cardiologist? Cardiac surgeons work with your cardiologist to improve an abnormality or a disease process that needs surgery. Some examples of why you need a cardiac surgeon could be heart disease requiring a coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), severe heart valves disease, or pathologies of the aorta. To get the full benefit of the surgery, you may have to take medications or make a lifestyle or diet change. In this case, your cardiac surgeon and cardiologist will work together to help you reach your goals. What procedures do cardiac surgeons do? Cardiac surgeons can fix many issues such as blocked heart vessels, congenital or degenerative valve diseases, diseases of the aorta, and tumor or mass removal involving the heart. Cardiac surgeons can also perform surgeries in emergencies, such as heart injury from trauma. If I have a blockage, can I get a stent instead of surgery? An interventional cardiologist can use stents, which are delivered by catheters in your artery of the arm or leg, to reach the vessels of your heart causing the blockages. However, some blockages will require surgery as it could provide a better or more durable treatment, especially if you have multiple blockages. For example, some blockages could be in areas that are difficult to open with a stent. In other situations, a combination of stents and surgery can treat a blockage. Keep in mind that fixing a blockage does not solve the underlying problem that lead to the blockage, so it is possible to require stents after surgery or vice versa. Talk to your provider about decreasing your risk for future blockages. Authors Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation. He is known for treating mitral valve regurgitation as well as aortic valve disease.
- Cancer Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGillian DuVall’s life turned upside down last summer when she found out she had breast cancer. The business owner and mother of four was visiting Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) to refill a prescription when she decided to go to the breast center and schedule a mammogram – something she had been putting off for over a year. With so much going on with family and work, her appointments often fell to the bottom of the list. “It often goes unsaid that mothers are running a three-ring circus 24 hours a day,” she says. During her appointment, Gillian was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. “The first three weeks after being diagnosed are like nothing else you’ve ever experienced,” she says. “You have to drop everything.” She credits Nurse Navigator Judy Davis as her saving grace. “Judy was there for me…she was my advocate. She kept me from losing my mind,” Gillian says. Nurse navigators are assigned to patients at the cancer center to offer a comforting and consistent presence during a stressful time. The cancer center has several nurse navigators on staff to help patients with appointments, treatment plans, and recommendations from providers. All of this support is free to patients. After experiencing first-hand how important nurse navigators are, Gillian decided to get involved with Fish for a Cure, a local fishing tournament that raises funds for the cancer survivorship program at LHAAMC. “It’s because of Fish for a Cure that the cancer center is able to have nurse navigators, and I know there are people who would not be able to navigate treatment without that support,” Gillian says. To show her gratitude, Gillian’s business, Annapolis Pillow Company, created a Fish for a Cure pillow, available in indoor and outdoor fabric with two design options. The company will donate 35% of profits from the pillows to the Reel Counsel Team, one of the boats participating in the 2021 event. To learn more about Fish for a Cure, please click here. To schedule a mammogram, please click here or call 1-888-909-9729.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that, for most people, isn’t too different than having a mild cold. But for babies and toddlers, RSV can lead to longer-lasting complications and hospital stays. After a historic dip in cases last year, there’s now a surge in RSV bringing young children to the hospital. Here’s what to watch for if you have a little one. What is RSV and why is it surging now? RSV usually peaks in the winter. It’s contagious and spreads like a cold between people and on surfaces. It’s possible that last year — when lots of us stayed home, wore masks, kept our distance from each other and sanitized all hard surfaces — the virus didn’t have much of a chance to get passed around. However, it became widespread extra early this year as we eased up safety measures over the summer. If you get the cold- and flu-like symptoms of RSV, you’ll usually feel better on your own in a week or two. But it can be worse in very young children and older adults, whose symptoms can become severe and make it hard to breathe. Every year, nearly 60,000 children younger than five are hospitalized for RSV. Signs to look for (and how to tell it’s not COVID) Adults can get RSV and not show any symptoms, but infants and young kids almost always do. Common RSV symptoms can include: Cough Congestion Fever (100.4 or higher) Fussiness Irritability Poor feeding Runny nose Sneezing Most kids feel symptoms for five to seven days, and almost all will clear up on their own at home. However, it’s important to be aware that a diagnosis of RSV can develop into bronchiolitis or pneumonia — and these two conditions can seriously affect the lungs. Watch carefully for signs and call your doctor right away if you see: Belly breathing or tugging between ribs or at lower neck Fast breathing or trouble breathing Flaring of nostrils Head bobbing with breathing Wheezing If you think your child has RSV, it’s a good idea to check in with your pediatrician. You should also call right away if they get dehydrated (with fewer than one wet diaper every eight hours), have a greyish or bluish color to their tongue, lips or skin, or become much less alert or less active. Since RSV shares many of the same possible symptoms of COVID-19, the only way to know for sure what your child is dealing with is to get them tested. How to treat RSV symptoms Antibiotics don’t work against RSV. To help ease their symptoms, give your child some extra comfort and care for them like you would if they had a cold, while keeping an eye out to make sure they don’t get worse. You can: Help them stay hydrated. It’s essential your child gets enough fluid, even if they don’t feel like drinking or feeding. Nasal saline or gentle suctioning can make it easier for them to breathe and stay hydrated. Turn on a humidifier. A cool-mist humidifier can also help clear up congestion to help with breathing. Reduce their fever. If your child is older than six months and has a low-grade fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help keep it down. Ask your doctor if you need help with the correct dose. At the hospital, children with RSV sometimes need extra oxygen, medicine to open their airways or other treatments to help their breathing. Most get better and can go home in a few days. When to take extra care If your child was born prematurely, has chronic lung or heart disease or a weakened immune system, you can take extra steps to protect them from RSV. It’s likely what you’re probably already doing during COVID: Avoid contact with people who are sick Cover coughs and sneezes, and throw away used tissues Regularly clean commonly touched surfaces and toys Wash your hands regularly If your child is at high risk of RSV or you live in an area with lots of cases, your doctor might also recommend palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody used to prevent RSV infection. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommended giving out doses early this year in some areas. Remember that RSV is common — most children will get it by the time they’re two. Kids and adults can also get it more than once, even in the same year. This year, we can all do our part to stay (and keep one another) healthy by taking a few simple steps: Stay home when you’re sick and avoid sharing germs with babies, small kiddos and older adults. And if you need help along the way, we’ll be here to support you. Author Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, is the medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
- Primary Care, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPrevent the spread of COVID-19 with these helpful tips There’s something magical this time of year, with little ghosts and goblins eager to fill their candy buckets. But sadly, in 2020, many sat out of the beloved childhood rite of passage as COVID-19 spread through our communities. This year, parents and kids alike have awaited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hopeful for the “all-clear” to trick or treat this Halloween. Luckily, we don’t have to wait any more: The CDC has given the green light (just with a few safety recommendations). Trick-or-treating: What’s safe, what to avoid The CDC recommends that families follow the same precautions this Halloween as they have throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. What does that mean? Well, you might need that creative candy chute again. Here’s what the CDC says: Avoid crowds (even outside). Skip events you know will be crowded or cause kids to bunch up in groups, like trunk-or-treating, haunted houses or Halloween parties. Get a flu shot. It won’t protect you or your kids from COVID-19, but it can cut down on the flu. And experts predict this season will be a doozy. Keep your distance. Try to stay six feet away from other Halloween revelers. That may mean another candy chute or sitting out bagged treats for kids to take themselves. Stay outside. The fresh air helps scatter the virus – making it more difficult to spread among trick-or-treaters and adults. Stick to your household. It’s best to trick-or-treat with just the family members. If COVID-19 numbers aren’t high in your neighborhood, you may be able to head out with a few friends that live nearby. Wash your hands. Before diving into the night’s haul, make sure your little ghouls wash or sanitize their hands. Wear a mask. And we’re not talking about Halloween masks. Make sure your child wears the face coverings they wear at school or out in public, and don’t layer it under a costume mask that could make it hard to breathe. Halloween advice for kids-at-heart Children aren’t the only ones who enjoy Halloween – many adults look forward to annual costume parties. (What better way to feel like a kid again?) You can still celebrate this year, but you may want to take a few precautions: Get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. If you’re not yet vaccinated, roll up those sleeves and get your shot. (And while you’re there, get a flu shot, too!) If you’re sick – stay home. It’s tough to miss out on the fun, but if you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, protect yourself and others by staying at home. Keep it small. Limit your guest list to vaccinated people you’re typically around. Move it outdoors. Nothing says Halloween like a bonfire party. Help limit the spread of COVID-19 by keeping the party outdoors or popping open a few windows. Set expectations. If you’re hosting, let your guests know the ground rules. That might include wearing a mask if someone’s not vaccinated or limiting the number of people you invite. Wear a mask. The science is clear: A face covering (not a costume mask) helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. Still confused? We’re here to help. You can always call your doctor’s office for information or send a message through MyChart. And you can be confident we’ll keep you up to date with the latest COVID news and advice from the experts in the field. Author Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, is a family nurse practitioner with Luminis Health Primary Care in Crofton, Md.
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has celebrated the completion of its 100th heart surgery procedure. The milestone occurred in October 2021, just 10 months after expanding its heart program in December 2020. The journey began in 2015 when LHAAMC applied for a certificate of need (CON), with the goal to keep hundreds of patients in their community and avoid the stress of traveling to other hospitals for heart surgery and follow-up care. Letters of support poured in from the community. “The hospital has been a destination for heart care for years, and adding cardiac surgery helps us better serve the thousands of heart patients who come to LHAAMC every year,” said Adrian Park, MD, chair of surgery. In December 2020, just two days before Christmas, the first heart surgery was performed at LHAAMC. Less than a year later, the program has performed more than 100 surgeries. The heart program will welcome Murtaza Y. Dawood, MD, an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon, in winter 2021. For more information about heart surgery at LHAAMC, please call 443-481-1358. To support heart surgery patients, please consider donating blood. To make an appointment, please click here.
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