Lori Lively’s gradual seven-year weight gain after an automobile accident raised her blood pressure, elevated her blood sugar level to diabetic range and worsened an existing heart condition. After the wreck and later, a hysterectomy, Lori’s formerly active lifestyle slowed, and her food choices started affecting her weight. On her petite, 5-foot frame, even a…
By Kelly C. McCants, M.D., medical director, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program The stereotype of the heart failure patient often does not match the reality, which frequently leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment. If you look at epidemiological data, you’d think the heart failure patient is a white male,…
Lynnwood Butler first noticed issues with his heart on Derby Day in 2013, when hypotension resulted in syncope. Two years later, the Louisville native had a heart attack at the end of his shift waiting on tables. He received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). In 2016 and again in 2018, Lynnwood’s ICD was triggered. “It’s…
By Kelly C. McCants, M.D., medical director, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program The day Keith Drury’s heart stopped, the last thing he remembers is driving to a job site near the Kentucky River. He doesn’t remember going into cardiac arrest, the CPR or the emergency helicopter flight to Norton…
Innovative technology allows providers with the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program to see changes in patients’ conditions in real time, adjust their medications and diet as needed, and schedule clinical visits when necessary. We’re using technology to help patients’ hearts recover so they will not need advanced therapy, with…
By Susan Hutcherson, R.N., BSN As a nurse navigator with the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program, I know it truly takes a village to take care of a patient with heart failure. Our program offers a multidisciplinary approach to give patients the best chance for their highest quality of…
Today Norton Healthcare held a celebration to honor the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute team. During the event, local businessman G. Hunt Rounsavall, a long-standing member of the Norton Healthcare board of trustees and major donor to the health system, announced a $1.5 million gift to the Norton Healthcare Foundation from the Robert W. Rounsavall…
Sean Stewart, M.D., interventional cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, treats all his patients the way he would want someone to treat his family members. Especially his grandfather. Dr. Stewart, the son of a physician, grew up with medicine in his sights. But it was a personal experience that narrowed his focus to cardiology….
Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are indicators for an increased chance of heart disease later in life. Preeclampsia occurs in about 5% to 8% of pregnant women after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. High blood pressure is accompanied by protein in the urine or other physical symptoms, such as a severe persistent…
Young patients with serious heart conditions — and their families — have moved into the Jennifer Lawrence Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Norton Children’s Hospital. What does a patient room look like? What does it mean for pediatric heart care for patients from Louisville and the region, including Southern Indiana? Take a look inside the…
By Kim Huston From working in a genetics lab to teaching yoga, Melissa Lee Perrotta, M.D., has found a way to blend all of her passions into one career. Her drive to understand and solve complex medical issues and her interest in integrative healing have led her to caring for patients with adult congenital heart…
For Mostafa El-Refai, M.D., interventional cardiology is the best of both worlds. He gets to develop long-term relationships with patients and their families. He also gets to perform emergency stenting procedures to open blocked coronary arteries after heart attacks. “Interventional cardiology gets my blood rushing a little bit because we get to treat patients with…