Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Keith A. McLean, M.D., cardiologist, joins Norton King’s Daughters’ Health in Madison, Indiana

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute welcomes Keith A. McLean, M.D., cardiologist, to Norton King’s Daughters’ Health in Madison, Indiana. The office is located in the Norton King’s Daughters’ Health Downtown Medical Building at 630 N. Broadway. With the addition of Dr. McLean, the office will have three providers seeing patients Monday through Friday. Dr. McLean…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Second opinion process for fetal cardiology patients

We know it’s a stressful time for parents when they learn their child will be born with a congenital heart condition, and it is normal for patients to want to seek a second opinion. Other providers may encourage a second opinion, and we welcome patients seeking second opinions at Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Physical uncovers potentially deadly aortic aneurysm in Indiana teen

Dominick Smith spent the first week of summer break at Norton Children’s Hospital. While it wasn’t the ideal way to wrap up the school year, the junior from Petersburg, Indiana, was grateful. On the last day of school, a doctor discovered Dominick had an aortic aneurysm with aortic dissection — a potentially fatal time bomb…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Kevin Graham, M.D., joins Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Structural Heart Program

Kevin A. Graham, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon, has joined Norton Heart & Vascular Institute.  Dr. Graham, who earned his medical degree from Indiana University, Indianapolis, and completed his residency there, has been practicing in Illinois. Dr. Graham has participated in the Summit trial, Optimize Pro study, Early TAVR trial and, as site principal investigator, the…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Ischemic heart disease in women may not show up on standard tests

Ischemic heart disease in women can lead to a heart attack, but this risk may go unnoticed. This is because a patient’s diagnostic coronary angiogram shows “clear” arteries. “When diagnosing women for ischemic heart disease, it is important to consider risk factors specific to women — and those that pose a greater risk to women,”…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Hypertension in women and its consequences

The risks and consequences of hypertension in women differ from those in men and change throughout women’s lifetimes. Overall, hypertension in women is less prevalent than in men until age 60 and becomes more prevalent afterward. This pattern may be the result of longer life expectancy, postmenopausal hypertension and lower response rate to treatment. “Understanding…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute expands Women’s Heart Program

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute launched a Women’s Heart Program in 1995. Today it has expanded to include more providers and services for a region where heart disease, especially in women, is a deadly issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, taking the…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

CT-FFR analysis shows patient’s level of cardiac obstruction and location, guiding treatment

The patient In July 2022, a 45-year-old male with a six-year history of chest pain went to the emergency room complaining of chest discomfort and shortness of breath over the previous two weeks. He was evaluated by Jacqueline Gray, APRN, and no markers of heart attack were found. Previously, nuclear stress single-photon emission computerized tomography…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Advances in hyperlipidemia medications put cholesterol goals in reach for more patients

Diet and exercise many times are not enough to lower the risk of hyperlipidemia (HLD). As we’ve learned over the years, genetics can play the biggest role. Fortunately, we now have treatments we didn’t have only a few years ago, giving options for patients who previously had none. At Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s Lipid…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Advanced Heart Failure Referral Guidelines

When symptoms of heart failure begin progressing or patients start decompensating, there is a brief opportunity for referral to an advanced heart failure center. The American Heart Association calls this the “golden window.” Primary care providers and others should consider referring a patient to the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Neurohormonal blockade in heart failure

Newly diagnosed heart failure patients have a three-month window of care crucial to their likelihood of recovery. The difference can be returning to a normal life versus awaiting a heart transplant or mechanical circulatory support with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). In that three-month window, the heart can respond well to a neurohormonal blockade,…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Lauren R. Albers, M.D., joins Norton Heart & Vascular Institute to focus on women’s cardiology

Lauren R. Albers, M.D., has joined Norton Heart & Vascular Institute to focus on women’s cardiology. Dr. Albers, who completed her fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at the UofL School of Medicine, joins the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program. The program, formed in 1995, is dedicated to addressing the high risk of heart…

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