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| William Ritter, MD, gives Marilyn Finake a check up. |
Marilyn Finke knew something was wrong. She had noticed some shortness of breath while hiking and some pain, but dismissed it. Then Marilyn saw the article in the Fall 2002 issue of HealthWorks about the Carondelet Heart Institute and the $25 risk assessment it offers and she decided to call.
"It was the best $25 I ever spent," says Marilyn. "I thought it was high blood pressure causing the trouble. Turns out the only thing good was my blood pressure. Everything else was way off."
Through the screening, Marilyn learned that her total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), triglycerides and blood sugars were all in the "high risk" level. "I have a family history of heart trouble and I expected, eventually, to have a problem," says Marilyn. "Just not yet."
The assessment takes about a half hour. Patients get a detailed report before they leave about their risk status, based on scientific research for relative risk. Factors include age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and family history. Then the patient's personal history is assessed-whether or not the patient exercises, smokes, etc.
"All the information is organized with their problem areas marked," says Sue Blum, MS, RN, CS, cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist and Personal Heart Advocate with the Carondelet Heart Institute. "Then we provide education on what patients can do to decrease their risk of heart disease."
Blum says Marilyn's information suggested she should see a cardiologist "right away." She got an appointment with Clinical Cardiovascular Associates in the
Saint Joseph Medical Building within a week and it was recommended she have a heart cath. During the heart cath, the cardiologist found a blockage in one of her main coronary arteries. The blockage was opened and a stent was placed in the area to keep it open.
"The blockage was severe enough it eventually would have led to a heart attack," says William Ritter, MD, cardiologist. "Fortunately, it was discovered and corrected before that happened. Marilyn has no heart damage."
Marilyn was very happy with the speed in which her problem was screened, assessed and treated. "Time is of the essence," says Dr. Ritter. "When we find a problem, we like to take care of it quickly."
Blum says her job is very rewarding. "People come in here because they really want to know where they stand in relation to heart disease and they really want to improve their health. It's somewhat surprising that about a third of the people I've screened have needed further testing. But we can help them. I feel really good knowing that we referred and took care of Marilyn before she had a heart attack."
Marilyn says the experience has been a wake-up call, not only for her, but also for her co-workers. "It's important for people to recognize the signs. It's easy to put it off, but you really should take care of it."
Marilyn has resigned herself to the fact that she's going to have to start doing more walking. And, looking on the bright side, she says the experience has given her an excuse to add to her cookbook collection. BON APPÉTIT!
For more information, or to schedule a screening, call the Carondelet Heart Institute at 816-9-HEARTS (816-943-2787).
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