Baptist Hospital East : Services

Printer Friendly Send this page to a friend via e-mail

A heartbeat is one of life's most joyous sounds. For new parents, it means the beginning of life for their family; for athletes, a measurement of conditioning; for physicians, it is a sign that a patient is healthy and the heart is doing its job.

The heart is the pumping station that fills the body with oxygen-rich blood and once the oxygen is delivered, sends the blood back to the lungs for more oxygen. As long as the heart remains healthy, the body can receive all of the oxygen it needs from the blood. An unhealthy heart, however, can lead to serious health problems.

Baptist Hospital East has an experienced staff dedicated to providing total care for heart patients. Diagnostic testing, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology studies and open heart surgery are among the many services available to patients. From diagnosis through treatment, surgery and recovery, Baptist East is there - every step of the way.

It may start with chest pain
Chest pain can strike any time of the day or night. That's why Baptist East has a special Chest Pain Unit in its Emergency Department. The five-bed specialty unit is designed for patients who are having chest pain. Patients in the unit are closely monitored by nurses experienced in caring specifically for patients with chest pain. Treatment includes diagnostic testing and lab work to help determine if the chest pain is caused by a heart attack or by other causes. Priority is given for these patients regarding further testing. If a heart attack has occurred, patients are treated and admitted.

Diagnosis in a heartbeat
Some patients may experience symptoms, but no pain, requiring other tests to help diagnose heart problems. A physician or cardiologist may recommend some or all of the following tests. An EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram), used to record the heart's electrical activity, is usually one of the first recommended. A normal EKG does not necessarily mean the heart and coronary arteries are normal, and therefore further testing may be needed.

An echocardiogram detects abnormalities of the heart valves, heart muscle and the fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart. Patients may also undergo holter monitoring, during which heart activity is monitored for 24 hours while normal activities take place. This can help reveal abnormal heart rhythms which can result in symptoms such as dizziness, fainting and palpitations. Stress tests monitor the condition of a patient's heart at rest, during exercise and at its peak and are often used by physicians to determine the safety of an exercise program. Stress tests can also reveal blockages in the heart arteries.

Baptist East also has a Nuclear Cardiology Suite. Nuclear studies can reveal defects in the heart by studying the heart at rest and during stress. Studies can also determine if patients have had previous heart attacks.

Cardiac catheterization is another way to determine how well the heart is pumping blood and to detect blockages. If a problem is discovered, cardiac catheterization offers an alternative to open heart surgery for some patients through balloon angioplasty, which opens arteries allowing blood to flow more freely. Coronary stenting - in which a small, spring-like device is placed inside the artery - offers additional support to the arterial wall following angioplasty.

All of these procedures are performed in Baptist East's cardiac catheterization labs. Most procedures take from one to three hours to perform and are followed by a short hospital stay.

Helping hearts beat stronger
Maintaining a healthy heartbeat and blood flow to the rest of the body may require a closer look at how the heart is working. Electrophysiology (EP) Lab studies provide leading-edge technology that can diagnose many heart conditions without surgery for patients. An electrical "map" of the heart can reveal abnormal heart rhythms or rapid heart beat, which can be treated using radiofrequency energy to destroy the specific heart cells causing the condition. EP Lab studies will also provide information to show if an internal defibrillator or pacemaker is needed. If that is the case, patients can receive those implants in the EP Lab.

Keeping a close eye on the heart
If a serious heart problem is diagnosed, patients may stay in specialized units at Baptist East. The Critical Care Units (Coronary Care and Intensive Care) feature private rooms where patients' conditions can be individually monitored. The Cardiovascular Unit (CVU) is designed for patients with heart-related problems who require monitoring, but need less intensive nursing care than is provided in the Intensive Care Units. All staff members have critical care expertise and the units are equipped with advanced life saving equipment. A special team of respiratory therapists, nutritionists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists and other professionals help prepare patients and families for their recovery after they've returned home.

From surgery to recovery
Once other options have been explored, surgery may be recommended as the best method to improve a patient's condition. The cardiovascular surgeons at Baptist East are the same highly trained professionals who operate at Louisville's other major heart centers, and more than 500 open heart surgeries are performed each year at Baptist East.

In addition to standard open heart procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafts and valve repair and replacement surgeries, the cardiovascular surgeons at Baptist East are also trained in minimally invasive procedures. All of these procedures are performed in Baptist East's dedicated open heart surgery suites.

After surgery, patients stay in a dedicated open heart recovery unit, staffed with nurses who specialize in post-surgery care for heart patients. Open-heart patients typically stay four to five days in the hospital following surgery. Family members can visit loved ones during their stay, and are an important part of their recovery. To better prepare patients and their families, Baptist East offers family classes, which teach patients and their caregivers about heart disease, hospital and home activity, signs of complications and rehabilitation. All of this information is available before patients leave the hospital for home.

Open heart surgery patients can be visited at home by staff from the Baptist Hospital East Home Health Agency. Registered nurses specially trained in cardiac care teach patients about medication and diet, as well as provide check-ups to make sure the heart is functioning properly. Home health aides can provide assistance with bathing, meals and other needs. Depending on the patients' needs, physical and occupational therapists can help increase mobility and range of motion for patients as they recover. A chaplain is always available to listen to patient and family concerns and help them through recovery.

Bouncing back with a healthy heart
After surgery, Baptist East's Cardiac Rehabilitation staff helps heart patients recover and maintain good health. Aerobic exercise, proper diet and controlling daily stress are important aspects of developing a heart-healthy lifestyle. The three-phase Cardiac Rehabilitation program concentrates on helping heart patients make necessary changes in their habits and maintain healthy fitness levels while they are still in the hospital and as they fully recover. Patients who have had open heart surgery at Baptist East may also receive exercise therapy as part of their treatment.

Phase III of cardiac rehabilitation is available not only to heart patients, but also individuals who have never had heart problems but are at high risk because of heredity or lifestyle.

Cardiac Rehabilitation staff work with patients on a monitored exercise program, specially designed to meet the needs of cardiac patients. Patients learn how active they should be after surgery and ways to increase activity as their recovery progresses.

Having a troubled heart doesn't have to mean difficulty finding a hospital to provide complete cardiology services. Go with a staff with the expertise to diagnose and treat matters of the heart and who will be there to answer questions and offer support. Go where your heart leads you.

For more information about cardiology services available at Baptist Hospital East, or for a physician referral, call the Baptist East Information Center at (502) 897-8131. Click here for a printable blood pressure log.

Back to Heart Services