- Heart Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones tragically passed away from hypertensive cardiovascular disease in July at the age of 40, it brought attention to a disease that millions of Americans are at risk for – and that many don’t even know they have. That’s why it is important to take steps to reduce your risk of hypertensive cardiac disease and other dangerous heart conditions. What is hypertensive heart disease? Hypertensive cardiovascular disease, or hypertensive heart disease, is a condition caused by having high blood pressure over a long period of time. High blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood throughout your body, which can lead to damage over time. This damage can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and other health problems. High blood pressure is defined as pressure that is consistently above 130/80 mmHg. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, but just a quarter have it under control. That’s because many may not know they have high blood pressure in the first place. In addition to heart attacks, heart failure and strokes, high blood pressure can put you at greater risk for conditions like: Atherosclerosis, including coronary artery disease Atrial fibrillation (AFib) Aortic Dissection or Rupture Congestive heart failure Kidney disease Retinal problems The risk of heart disease generally goes up with age, and those who have a family history of heart disease may be at higher risk. Athletes or other active people may be prone to hypertensive cardiovascular disease after they wrap up their careers and their activity level decreases. Even people who have lived very active lives can be diagnosed with heart disease. For example, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (or the buildup of plaque or cholesterol on the walls of the arteries) played a role in the death of fitness guru Richard Simmons. Warning signs of cardiovascular disease High blood pressure usually doesn’t present symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose and treat. However, over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to your heart and lead to symptoms like: Chest pain Dizziness or fainting Heart attack or stroke Irregular, rapid or pounding heartbeat Shortness of breath It’s important to see your primary care provider and check your blood pressure regularly. Your care team will monitor your risk factors, including a family history of hypertension. Depending on your risk factors, your provider may recommend additional testing. These tests may include blood and urine tests or an electrocardiogram (EKG). How to prevent cardiovascular disease Managing your blood pressure can greatly lower your risk of dangerous cardiac events like heart attacks and strokes. That includes living a heart-healthy lifestyle by: Getting enough sleep Lowering your stress Maintaining a healthy weight Quitting smoking Reducing salt intake Reducing alcohol consumption Staying physically active Treating chronic conditions like sleep apnea, high cholesterol, diabetes and kidney disease How to treat cardiovascular disease Your provider will likely recommend adjusting lifestyle factors as a first line of treatment for hypertensive cardiovascular disease. If these adjustments don’t bring your blood pressure down, or if your heart has already sustained damage from high blood pressure over time, your care team may recommend medications as a next step. There are many kinds of blood pressure medications (or antihypertensives) including: ACE inhibitors Beta-Blockers Calcium channel blockers Diuretics (thiazide) All medicines can have side effects and it’s important to understand these impacts. Take medications as directed and follow up with your provider if you have any questions. Protecting your heart in the long run High blood pressure might not cause symptoms by itself, but it can be dangerous if left untreated. If you experience concerning symptoms, we have a number of Luminis Health primary care doctors ready to help, as well as cardiovascular specialists and heart surgeons with all the experience and expertise you need. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for taking medications or change your lifestyle. Your heart will thank you. About the Author: Luminis Health Chief of Heart Surgery David J. Caparrelli, MD. Dr. Caparrelli has more than 20 years of experience in both cardiac and vascular surgery.
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNurse practitioners are having a moment, and it’s worth paying attention to how they can benefit you and your family. While many might think that the role is a recent development, educational programs for nurse practitioners were first established in 1965 to address the healthcare needs of underserved populations by training nurses to make advance clinical decisions. As demand for medical care increased and doctors faced capacity challenges, more programs emerged across the United States to help meet these growing needs. Awareness of nurse practitioners has grown slowly, becoming more widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent article from the National Institute for Health referred to the pandemic “an unprecedented opportunity for nurse practitioners to reform healthcare.” What is a nurse practitioner? A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has received additional training in treating patients. In Maryland, nurse practitioners have full practice authority. This means they can serve as your provider, prescribing medications, ordering lab tests and addressing your medical concerns. What distinguishes a doctor from a nurse practitioner? The primary difference lies in their training: Nurse practitioners first earn their registered nurse (RN) license by completing a bachelor’s degree program in nursing, and then a graduate degree. From start to finish, it can take six to eight years to become a nurse practitioner. Doctors, on the other hand, first complete a bachelor’s degree. Then, they go to medical school and complete a residency in the specialty they chose. It can take 10 to 14 years to become a fully licensed doctor. What to expect when seeing a nurse practitioner? If you’re dealing with a sore throat, seasonal allergies, or the flu, a quickly scheduled visit with a nurse practitioner can provide much-needed relief without having to go to the emergency room. Nurse practitioners offer a wide range of health care services, including: Physical exams: Performing physical exams and taking health histories Diagnosis and treatment: Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, and managing overall care Prescribing medication: Prescribing and managing medications and therapies Ordering tests: Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests Education: Teaching patients about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles Referrals: Referring patients to offer health professionals as needed On the rise and ready to help The number of nurse practitioners has increased significantly over the past few decades. One of the key factors driving this growth is the nationwide shortage of doctors, which is expected to increase. A report from the Association of American Medical College estimates that the United States faces a shortfall of between 37,800 and 124,000 doctors in the next 12 years. Fortunately, the number of nurse practitioners is increasing, with more than 385,000 licensed in the U.S. At Luminis Health, our nurse practitioners are ready to serve you. Collaborating with doctors at their clinic or practice, they ensure that all your medical needs are met promptly and conveniently, close to home. Tormeika Sanford is a nurse practitioner at Luminis Health. To schedule an appointment, visit Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare.
- Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3Blog
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile traveling for work several years ago, Bruce Ingram of Nottingham, Maryland, noticed that he had an irregular heartbeat. His partner, Kimberly, is a nurse with many years of experience treating cardiac conditions, and she suggested they go to the emergency room. At the ER, doctors determined that he was in atrial fibrillation (Afib) but had a very slow heart rate. They recommended he receive a permanent pacemaker, a surgically implanted device that sends electrical impulses to the heart to maintain a normal beating rate. Nearly a decade later, Ingram remained active by running and swimming, but he still experienced fatigue and loss of energy, common symptoms of Afib. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) also showed his heart was weakening. Kimberly recommended that they seek a permanent solution under the care of her former colleague, Dr. Murtaza Dawood, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Luminis Health. Dr. Dawood proposed a hybrid surgical ablation. “Mr. Ingram’s atrial fibrillation is not only contributing to his symptoms, but is most likely causing his weakened heart function. We can treat his atrial fibrillation by surgical ablation to create scarring in the heart muscle. These scars can prevent the normal heart electrical activity from persisting as atrial fibrillation,” he explained. “By restoring a normal heart rhythm, we can improve his symptoms, and with time, his overall heart function.” The hybrid approach combines minimally invasive surgical ablation with a catheter-based ablation to be done three months later. “The Convergent+ procedure combines two minimally invasive procedures to maximize the benefit to the patient” says Dr. Dawood. “Additionally, to further minimize Mr. Ingram’s risk of stroke, I placed a closure device on his left atrial appendage, also done minimally invasively. That’s the ‘plus’ part of the procedure.” Approximately 90% of strokes associated with Afib originate from the left atrial appendage. In January 2022, Dr. Dawood performed the surgical ablation stage on Ingram, with the catheter ablation done 12 weeks later. More than two years later, Ingram reports a complete change since the surgery. He can run, swim, and travel for work without any issues from Afib. This past summer, he and Kimberly visited Yellowstone National Park and enjoyed several hikes around the park. If you are seeking care for Afib, please visit Luminis.Health/HeartSurgery or call (443) 481-1358 to learn about surgical options for treatment.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3Blog(Annapolis, MD)— Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), a cornerstone of healthcare in the Annapolis region and the Eastern Shore for more than 120 years, has earned its twelfth consecutive ‘A’ Grade from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. “Exceptional quality and safety are the result of the dedication and expertise of our entire team—physicians, residents nurses, advanced practice providers, technicians, therapists, support staff, and volunteers,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “Earning an ‘A” grade consistently for patient safety is a true reflection of our team’s commitment and the strong partnership we have with the community.” According to Leapfrog, LHAAMC has earned ‘Straight A’s’ for every grading period since 2018, making it the only hospital in Maryland to achieve this prestigious honor, and one of 105 hospitals nationwide. Leapfrog updates hospital safety grades twice a year, in the fall and spring. Luminis Health is dedicated to upholding best practices that prioritize quality, safety, and accountability across all operational areas. Our commitment is demonstrated through safe staffing, safety huddles, communication, a focus on well-being and retention of the health care team, workplace safety, community partnership, and collaboration with patient family advisors. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?