Category: Bellin Heart and Vascular
February is Heart Month: Wear RED Friday Feb 3, 2012
February is Heart month: to increase awareness and prevention of this Number 1 killer of Americans. Women are a special category in Heart Disease, and we celebrate to increase awareness that women get heart disease too! Feb 3rd, is National Go Red Day.
Bellin in Top US Cardiac Hospitals
It was announced today, November 14, 2011, the TOP 50 US Hospitals for Heart Care. Is your local hospital on the list? Bellin Health is!!
Valve Center
The Valve Center at Bellin Health provides a multidisciplinary team of experienced experts to offer the most complete and fully integrated care in the region. It is designed to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with symptomatic and complex valvular heart disease.
7th grader collapses from heart problem. AED saves the day!
Did you see this amazing video on Fox News? I caught it on Yahoo! News last night and I just have to tell you about the story. A 7th grader collapsed because of a heart condition and she is living to tell her story about it.
Anatomy of the heart
The AmeriHeart is an extreme example of the heart anatomy. But it is such a useful tool. How better to see the heart, learn what each part of the heart does and remember the importance of taking good care of your heart, than to walk through a GIANT anatomically correct heart? It has a lasting impression. Let me walk you through it.
Faces of Stroke from National Stroke Association
The Faces of Stroke is a public awareness movement that aims to show the personal side of stroke and educate about important stroke facts through people’s experiences.
Lowest death rate after heart attack at Bellin Hospital
Just featured in the Green Bay Press Gazette, an article about Bellin Hospital having one of the lowest death rates after heart attack in the Nation! Way to go Heart Care Team at Bellin and EMS!
festival foods: Nutrition made easy!
Have you seen it yet? The NuVal Nutritional scoring system is now available at your local Festival Foods store. Help take the confusion out of choosing healthy things to eat when you are at the store. The scoring system has done it for you!
Introducing you to MerckEngage for a Healthier You
Check out this great resource at Merckengage.com
MerckEngage is a free resource that supports your choices for healthier living. MerckEngage has a range of offerings to help you take steps toward better health, including:
• Help with managing health conditions
• Ideas for healthier eating
• Suggestions to help you become more active
• Ways to better communicate with your health care professionals
The AmeriHeart and The Bellin Run Expo
I hope you all came to see the AmeriHeart at the Bellin Run expo on Friday! It was great! We received lots of very positive feedback on the AmeriHeart tours. It is the most fun, interactive and educational exhibit we have had!! Thank-you to all who toured and also to those who completed a survey!
Heart health with John Jones, Running the Bellin 2011
John Jones is an advocate for heart heart, especially men's health. See his blog called The Bulletproof Myth at http://www.bulletproofmyth.com/blog/
2011 marks the anniversary of a medical emergency for John, that changed his life. This year, he is participating in the Bellin Run as part of his heart health journey. Watch his video.
Students to learn about the heart
What better way for kids to learn about their hearts and how it works, then to get an official tour through BellinHeart's AmeriHeart?! The 21x17 foot, walk through heart will be at Kennedy School in Green Bay, WI on Tuesday May 24th, 2011!
BellinHeart's AmeriHeart
The AmeriHeart is coming! The AmeriHeart is coming! You saw pictures of this enormous heart back in January of this year, when Bellin Heart and Vascular brought it to the Super Bowl of Safety. Now we have one of our own!!
Prevent, halt and reverse heart disease
A book by Jospeh C. Piscatella and Barry A. Franklin, Ph.D.
The first thoughts that came into my mind when I began reading this book on the 109 things you can do to prevent, halt and reverse heart disease, was "that's exactly what I say to people when I am giving heart healthy talks!" My first impressions of the authors, is then credible, because I know the sources of where I get my information to increase awareness and educate the general public. As I read through this book, I noted it was very well referenced with many reliable sources and credits found through out the book as well as listed at the end. Ok good. The information I am going to find in this book, is valuable, evidenced-based, and the recommendations are based on the most current literature.
Get Tough on Angina
Do you have angina? Do you know what angina is? Find out the key things you need to know here. The Get Tough on Angina program was developed by the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association. www.pcna.net
Do you snore?
Angela Kelly from Fox 11, visited the Bellin Sleep Center last week. Why you might ask? She wanted to show you what it is like to sleep overnight in a Sleep Center. Watch this video and learn some common sleep and breathing disorders that are discovered and treated in the Bellin Sleep Center.
Heart Calcium Scoring: What is it?
Don't wait for symptoms! Find out fast if you already have heart disease!
Wear Red on Friday, Feb 4th
One Day a Year,
What You Wear speaks volumes. Wear Red and Speak Up!
We learned so much walking through that heart!
Look at the size of that HEART! The AmeriHeart was presented by Bellin Heart and Vascular Center at the Superbowl of Safety on Saturday Jan 29th, 2011. If you didn't get a chance to see it, take a look at these pictures.
Children's Superbowl of Safety Jan 29th, 2011
Join the fun on Saturday, January 29th at Lambeau Field Atrium! FREE!
Fire safety, the dangers of electricity and the importance of staying away from household chemicals are important lessons for children. And as the fight against childhood obesity rages on, heart health and physical fitness have become important topics as well.
BellinHeart presents the Ameriheart
BellinHeart is pleased to present the AmeriHeart. A 21 foot by 17 foot large, walk through heart. Come see it in person on January 29th, 2011!
Transparency in Health Care
On March 9, 2010, the Wisconsin Legislature adopted 2009 Wisconsin Act 146 to ensure that health care facilities provide easy-to-access information regarding health care charges and quality.
What does this mean for you? You can find how much a hopsital or clinic charges for services and you can also find out how well that health care service is doing in quality measures. All this great information, to help you make a good decision when choosing what provider or system to use for health care.
Top new scientific studies from AHA Scientific sessions 2010
The American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 Scientific Sessions took place in Chicago, Illinois, November 13-17, 2010. The following information is a summary of trials that were presented as reported by HeartWire.
Key trials presented at the sessions include:
The formula for good health
Follow this formula to achieve healthy life-style goals. You can do it, I know you can.
0-5-10-30-150
Certified Wound Care Physicians
The Wound Healing Center at Bellin Hospital, has a physician driven model of care. All providers have been trained and certified in the Principles of Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine through the National Healing Institute at Ohio State University.
Please meet our providers:
Bellin's New Wound Healing Center
Have you heard the great news? Bellin Hospital has a brand new Wound Healing Center!! This center offers the most advanced healing technology including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy! Call 920-445-7272 if you have concerns about a non-healing wound.
Banana Nut Bread
Each year Bellin Heart and Vascular Center does some fund raisers to donate to the American Heart Association in honor of the Green Bay Heart Walk. Look for lots of great Heart Healthy recipies to follow.
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
A-Fib is a type of irregular heartbeat that causes the heart to quiver instead of completing a full compression and release. When this occurs, blood isn't fully expelled from the upper chambers of the heart and it can pool. Sometimes these blood pools can clot within the heart and can cause stroke. More than 70 percent of A-Fib patients who suffer stroke die.
Make the right call
Effort Encourages Use of 9-1-1
“Make the Right Call” campaign will also recognize EMS workers
It can mean the difference between life and death. Calling 9-1-1 for medical emergencies may seem clear if it’s a catastrophic event. But, when it’s less clear, like when the less obvious symptoms of a stroke or heart attack occur, many people aren’t sure if they should call 9-1-1. However, the decision to make that call at the onset of symptoms can have a dramatic effect on a person’s recovery or survival.
Stroke myths
Stroke myths, what to believe, what not to? Learn the facts here.
Brain attack
Did you know? Stroke is a "BRAIN ATTACK."
Stroke requires emergency treatment. Fewer than 5% of stroke patients receive t-PA, a life-saving clot-buster treatment. You only have 3 hours from the onset of stroke symptoms to receive t-PA. Get help FAST.
act FAST for stroke
What does it mean to act FAST for a stroke? Learn the signs to look for and recognize when someone close to you is having a stroke. Then cal 911.
Easy switches and smart choices
For a healthier diet, here are some examples of easy switches and smart food choices.
Meat, Fish and Poultry
Limit:
- fatty meats
- sausage
- bacon
- organ meats
- tuna packed in oil
- bologna
- hot dogs
- salami
- lunch meats
Smart substitutes: lean cuts of beef
the dentist and antibiotics
Ask Kelly Question:
I am a 55 year old women with a murmur. Should I be taking antibiotics before going to the dentist?
Call to action on Atrial Fibrillation
I recently learned about a program whose purpose is to improve awareness, understanding and management of an electrical heart condition called Atrial Fibrillation.
AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation, is a collaboration of healthcare leaders and organizations working to improve the health and well-being of people affected by atrial fibrillation (AFib).
BellinHeart is blogging into social media
BELLINHEART IS BLOGGING INTO SOCIAL MEDIA TO CONNECT AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY This is the title of the abstract and poster that I recently took to the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association. I thought that I would share my abstract with you here.
Tracy's story
Tracy is an advocate for the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women. Listen to her story, as a young women of 40, needing to go through heart surgery.
Go Red for Women - Green Bay Luncheon
The 2010 Green Bay Go Red for Women Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 5th at Oneida Gold and Country Club. Call 920-205-8717 for tickets!
Sudden Cardiac death in teens
Every year you read about young, healthy teens and adolescents dying after physical exertion. How do you keep your child from being one of them?
Heart Stents more commonplace
Former President Bill Clinton's heart condition and recent hospitalization highlights the use of stents in treating blocked arteries around the heart.–
This story was published this morning on WBAY Channel 2 News
Have you heard of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia? Not at Bellin!
On Sunday, Jan. 17, Bellin Health celebrated two years without a case of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). This is a phenomenal achievement!
Art meets Heart
A juried art exhibition celebrating the human heart will take place February 4-27 at the ARTgarage on Main Street in Green Bay.
The exhibition – showcasing works by artists across northeast Wisconsin – will feature media by artists that, in some way, refer to the human heart, metaphorically, physically, abstractly or emotionally.
Meet the Director
Bellin Heart and Vascular is in the news again. This time, highlighted for the smart, strong and articulate women who leads the charge. Andrea Werner, is the Director of the Heart and Vascular Team at Bellin Health. A full article on Andrea can be found in the Green Bay Press Gazette: http://tinyurl.com/yg42ymg
National Wear Red Day
Wear red day helps to save lives! How you ask? This is the day that millions of people will choose to wear red and help to increase awareness of women and heart disease.
320 slice CT scanner
It's arrived! The new Toshiba Aquilion One 320 slice CT scanner has been installed this week in the new Bellin Emergency Department!
This is the FIRST and the ONLY 320 slice CT scanner in Wisconsin. Read about the great advantages this advanced technology will bring to patients in the community.
Fast, high quality heart attack treatment
When that moment of crisis hits you: your husband, father, wife, grandparent or some other person that you love is having a heart attack. What do you do? Where should you go?
Wouldn't it be nice if you already knew which hospital had the best outcomes and quality measures around heart attack? So there would be no question in your mind. Call 911 and tell them you want to go to Bellin Hospital. And this is why....
Heart Healthy Hunting
Did you know?
In the early days of the American Frontier the skin of a male deer was worth a dollar -- which is how we got the term "buck" for a $1 bill
Cardiac CT
“Recent advances in CT technology have transformed Cardiac CT from an interesting new technology into a “game-changing” technology that will revolutionize the care of patients with chest pain and change the way we practice medicine.” – Christopher Wolfram, MD, FACC - Cardiology Associates of Green Bay
Bellin earns Kudos for Stroke Care
Bellin Health recently earned recognition from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” stroke program for providing superior service in the treatment of stroke patients.
Bellin joins 15 other hospitals statewide scheduled to be featured in the 2010 “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News & World Report. Bellin also will be recognized at an International Stroke Conference scheduled for February of 2010.
Chicago Museum's Interactive Heart
Get an up-close look at the human heart like you’ve never seen before when Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry debuts its newest permanent exhibit: YOU! The Experience, opening Oct. 8. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 13-foot high and eight-foot wide interactive structure that uses cutting-edge technology to virtually and physically re-create the human heart (see photo below).
Fundraising wine event
Wine & Chocolate Tasting
Join us for an evening of fun and help fight heart disease!
Wear red to show your support of women fighting heart disease.
Ask Kelly question about back pain and aortic dissection
Ask Kelly question:
Hi, 14 years ago I had a spontaneous dissection of the LAD descending. August 23rd of this year I had horrible building pain in my upper back. Shortness of breath, nausea and sweating. I thought it was just my back. Before I got upstairs to lie down my chest started hurting. So, I took an aspirin, because that happens often. However, in several minutes ALL pain was gone. I was shocked because the back pain had me in tears, I had taken a T3 two hours earlier to no effect. I have pain in my back daily now and an aspirin usually takes care of it.
My cardiologist wants me to get a CT scan, but I am not insurable because of my first attack. I am, female and 55 years old. It seems my symptoms indicate a dissection of the aorta, is this possible?
What exactly does it mean?
My doctor was too busy berating me for not quitting smoking and not having insurance to explain. Also, I am under stress because my husband has a few mental illnesses with BIG control issues. Thank you.
Video: The Artery Explorer
Watch this great educational video from AstraZeneca to increase awareness and knowledge about cardiovascular disease.
What is most important during your heart attack?
It’s called door-to-balloon time.
30 day mortality rate after heart attack improved nationally
30-Day Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths
Down Since Mid-1990s
Bellin Memorial Hospital 30-day mortality after AMI
lower than national rate
Video: See mitral valve repair surgery in real life
Ever want to see what heart surgery is really like? Well get ready to take the journey with Dr. Steven Gerndt from Green Bay Cardiothoracic and Vascular!
Heart Rhythm Problems
Do you have an arrythmia?
Are you asking yourself: what is an arrythmia?
An arrhythmia is a change in the steady, regular beat of your heart. You may notice a skipped beat, beating irregularly, or beating very fast or very slowly.
Bellin Heart Care is the Best in the area!
Bellin's report is BETTER than US National rate for death after heart attack according to a recent report from the Hospital Quality Alliance www.hospitalqualityalliance.org
In a reporting period from July 2005 through June 2008, Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, is the only area hospital to be ranked BETTER than the US National rate in mortality (death) after Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI or heart attack). See this link: http://tinyurl.com/l6dhxx
Heart and Stroke Risk Assessment
Just found a risk assessment for heart attack and stroke from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Answers the questions and find out your personal health and risks. The report will also provide tips on ways to improve your health. Click on this link:
http://tinyurl.com/mtpayz
Bellin is ranked significantly better than average for heart attacks
The Green Bay Press-Gazette ran a front page story on Friday about the fact that local health centers, especially Bellin Health, are performing as expected or better than hospitals across the nation in terms of keeping death and readmission rates low.
Getting to know Bellin Health Heart and Vascular Center
One of my goals for this blog is for you to feel comfortable and confident in the information that you are receiving. To help establish this level of comfort, it will be helpful for you to know a little bit more about Bellin Health Heart and Vascular Center. You can also click on the "Bellin Health" link in the right hand column to learn more about the vision, mission and philosophy of Bellin Health.
What makes Bellin an expert in the field of cardiovascular disease? Certainly, experience counts. As does proven results. Above and beyond that is a key philosophy - Bellin Health exists to help people live longer, healthier and more fullfilling lives.
Welcome to the Bellin Health Heart Blog
What is Heart Disease?
Welcome to the Bellin Health Heart Blog. My name is Kelly Galler and I am a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, specializing in cardiovascular disease. To learn more about me, please read my bio. I’ll post information here on a regular basis about heart health, cardiac care and other related subjects.
