Tara Mudd, APRN, with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s Heart Rhythm Center, answers questions about atrial fibrillation medications, their risks, side effects and what happens if they don’t work. Q: How often and for how long do people have to take atrial fibrillation drugs? Anti-arrhythmic medications can be taken anywhere from once daily to three times…
Cardiology and neurology specialists at Norton Healthcare knew there was a growing body of evidence suggesting that the underlying cause for many cryptogenic strokes is atrial fibrillation (A-fib). However, many A-fib patients do not receive additional cardiac monitoring, leaving them at risk for a recurrent stroke. To address this issue, a new multidisciplinary cryptogenic stroke…
Surviving a stroke is the beginning of a recovery that encompasses not only physical challenges, but can include emotional, social and financial ones as well. Norton Healthcare is the only health care system in Louisville with a neuroscience resource center to help patients navigate their lives after a stroke. Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center services…
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) recently unveiled its recommendations for reducing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the knee. It includes specific exercises and guidelines on how athletes should implement an injury prevention program to improve their chance of avoiding an injury. The recommendation supports calls from sports medicine professionals and provides training recommendations…
Norton eCare visits have more than doubled since October when flu season began. Norton eCare offers two types of “virtual care” — eVisit and video visit. “We’re seeing a lot of patients right now who have flu-like symptoms,” said Rachel Alexander, APRN, Norton eCare. “But we’re also seeing many other patients with health concerns who…
The big game is this weekend! Anything could happen, from halftime show hijinks to breathtaking finishes. Could all the excitement give you a heart attack? During the National Football Conference (NFC) divisional playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings secured a last-minute, nail-biting win over the New Orleans Saints. Some fans were so excited their Apple Watches thought…
When it comes to treating stroke patients, there’s a saying: “Time saved is brain saved.” “For every minute you do not treat a stroke, you lose 2 million brain cells,” said Lynn Hundley, APRN, director, Clinical Effectiveness and Stroke Care. Hundley has worked to bring down the door-to-needle time at Norton Healthcare hospitals. That’s the…
Patients with severe strokes caused by occlusion of large vessels or bleeding are more likely to survive when they’re taken to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC). That’s why the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommend emergency medical services (EMS) take these stroke patients to a Comprehensive Stroke Center, even if it means traveling…
Emergency physician Jeff A. Spain, M.D., has seen firsthand what a difference tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can make in the treatment of ischemic strokes. Spain witnessed a stroke patient suffering from hemiplegia able to regain the use of his limbs before leaving the emergency department. “The main thing is rapid assessment,” Dr. Spain said. “The…
September 2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of Bike to Beat Cancer, a fundraising event to support cancer care in the Louisville area. Gina Morrison, nurse navigator with Norton Cancer Institute, is already gearing up for her second year riding. Last year, she formed “Team AYA” (Adolescent and Young Adult) and participated as a Bike…
In 2014, at age 35, Mike Gorena was living a good life. He had a good job, a beautiful wife, Ang, and a sprightly young daughter, Aza. They had just made an offer on their dream home and, to add to the excitement, had just found out they were expecting their son, Gideon. When life…
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month — a good time for a friendly reminder to schedule a women’s wellness exam. A wellness exam includes a pelvic exam, breast check, Pap smear and a mammogram, depending on your age. Getting your yearly screenings can help you stay healthy and possibly find cancer early — when treatment…
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