Dr. Vincent Caracciolo at Palm Coast Center

Dr. Vincent Caracciolo at Palm Coast Center

Cardiologist, Dr. Caracciolo will be speaking this Friday, October 14th at 11:00am at the Palm Coast Community Center.  He will be discussing Heart Disease in Women. Dr. Caracciolo sees patients in Palm Coast and St. Augustine, Florida.

Dr. Pubbi Discusses Atrial Fibrillation

Dr. Dinesh Pubbi was recently featured on First Coast Living and discussed Atrial Fibrillation also known as AFib.

What is atrial fibrillation?

• Also called AFib.
• Most common arrhythmia in USA and world wide.
• 5 to 6.5 million now. By 2050 eight million will be effected.
• Irregular heart beat from upper chamber of heart.

2- What are the signs/symptoms? What Do People Feel?

• Some people may complain of palpitations shortness of breath, chest pain, racing heart.
• Flip flops in heart fluttering or flopping.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• 30% may not have any symptoms at all.

3- Are women more likely than men to have irregular heart beats? What about Race; are Afro Americans more likely than the white population to suffer from irregular heart beats?

• Women tend to develop atrial fibrillation at an older age then men; 4 years older.
• Risk of death higher in women with AFib.
• Women need to see electrophysiologist sooner.
• Caucasians have higher prevalence of AFib.

4-Is atrial fibrillation associated with stroke or heart attack risk?

• AFib is the leading cause of stroke.
• Risk of stroke five times higher than normal population.
• Up to 80%of strokes in people with AFib can be prevented.

5 -How is AFib treated?

• Depends on how long you have it.
• Three kinds of AFib – paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent.
• Reset the rhythm.
• Prevent blood clots from forming.
• Coumadin and the new agents.

6-Can a person be cured of AFib? Can it go away?

• Antiaarrhythmic medications, cardio version.
• Ablation can be a cure for some patients.
• Catheter ablations minimal invasive.
• Can use heat Radiofrequency energy or freeze cryotherapy.
  • Used to treat hot spots or abnormal cells.
  • This corrects the arrhythmia without the need of medication or implantable device.
• Need to see Electrophysiology doctor.

What is a heart attack?

What is a heart attack?

Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Van Crisco discusses a recent patient that came into Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, FL having a heart attack. Dr. Crisco was called to Memorial Hospital to perform a heart catheterization on the patient and the patient was saved.

Heart Drug Warfin used to treat AFib tied to Dementia Risk

Heart Drug Warfin used to treat AFib tied to Dementia Risk

An interesting study was recently published showing that people with the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation (AF) may be at a greater risk of developing dementia, and the quality of their drug treatment may play a role.

Researchers found that patients on the clot-preventing drug warfarin showed a higher dementia risk if their blood levels of the medication were frequently too high or too low.

This turned out to be true not only for people with AF, but also for those using warfarin for other reasons.

To read the entire article.

Dr. Neil Sanghvi commented on this study and article.

“I believe this study highlights the importance of monitoring warfarin levels closely and to consider alternate anticoagulation options if the warfarin levels are difficult to maintain.  Patients should not become concerned if their warfarin level is in range > 75% of the time.  This study also supports the importance of using anticoagulation in AF patients since patients with too low warfarin levels were also prone to dementia.”

 

SOURCES: T. Jared Bunch, M.D., Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, Murray, Utah; Gordon Tomaselli, M.D., chief, division of cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and past president, American Heart Association; May 5, 2016, presentation, Heart Rhythm Society annual meeting, San Francisco

Healthy Hearts Support Group Meeting May 19, 2016

Please join us for a Healthy Hearts Support Group Meeting May 19, 2016

Thursday, May 19th @ 6PM
JACKSONVILLE MARRIOTT
4670 Salisbury Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32256

Dr. Neil Sanghvi will talk about:
“What’s that fish flopping in my chest? Understanding Atrial Fibrillation”

Seating is limited please RSVP to jennifer.morrison@Firstcoastheart.com
Hors d’oeuvres & beverages will be provided.

A patient centered support group for discussing and understanding complete heart care. Attendees will find comfort and strength in education and self-awareness. Understand conditions of living with Cardiac Device Assistance, and connect with others to feel a sense of community. This forum is open to the public and free of charge. This group’s affiliation is not for profit.

Kicking Heart Disease in Women

Watch this video as Dr. Van Crisco discusses kicking heart disease in women at a lunch and learn at the WJCT studios.

The intention of this community education is to talk about heart disease in women and what we can and should be doing to prevent it. Discover what you can do to take care of yourself or someone you love.

Approximately 1 in 4 women in the U.S. have some form of heart disease?

Learn more about:

• What are the risk factors for heart disease.
• What are the causes of heart disease in women.
• What is the survival rate for women.
• How women of all ethnicities share the same risk.
• What are the warning signs for women.

Dr. Neil Sanghvi Discusses Women and Heart Disease

Cardiologist, Dr. Neil Sanghvi discusses Women and Heart Disease at the WJCT studio Lunch & Learn community heart education. The title of his talk was “What does your sex have to do with it? How to keep your heart ticking.”

Dr. Sanghvi discussed the facts, symptoms and treatment of irregular heart rhythms as well as the differences between women and men when it comes to heart care.

Did you know that heart failure is more common in women than men, yet women receive treatment two times less often than men.

Dr. Sanghvi Interviewed by WJCT

Dr. Sanghvi interviewed by WJCT

Our very own, Dr. Neil Sanghvi was recently interviewed by WJCT Radio with host Melissa Ross on the First Coast Connect radio show. Click here to listen to the interview. Dr. Sanghvi discussed several heart health tips.

Dr. Neil Sanghvi interviewed on First Coast Living

Dr. Sanghvi was interviewed on First Coast Living and discussed the topics of Atrial Fibrillation, Pacemakers and Implantable Cardiac Devices. Dr. Sanghvi is an Electrophysiologist Cardiologist with First Coast Heart & Vascualr Center.

1. What is a pacemaker and why would someone need one?   Pacemakers are devices that are about the size of a silver dollar.  They are placed under the skin usually below the collar bone.  They typically have anywhere from 1-3 wires that enter the heart via a blood vessel under the collar bone.  These devices are usually placed in patients who suffer from a slow heart beat which results in a number of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, inability to exercise, lightheadedness, or fainting to name a few.
2. What is a defibrillator, also known as an ICD, and why would someone need one of these devices?  ICDs are implantable devices that are placed in similar fashion as a pacemaker.  However, an ICD’s job is typically to treat fast and lethal irregular beats known as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF).  Many people know that heart disease is the #1 killer in the US.  What many do not know is that the reason most patients die is due to untreated VT or VF.  Approximately 450,000 people die each year in the US from these arrhythmias.  Patients at the highest risk include those who have had a prior heart attack, especially if this has resulted in a weakened heart muscle.  Those with a weak heart muscle for other reasons are also at risk.  Also, patients who may have had several episodes of passing out without an explanation should be evaluated since a small portion of these patients are likely suffering from VT and/or VF.
3. If a patient needs to have a device implanted, what type of device should be used?  This is a decision that is typically made by the implanting surgeon.  There are several manufacturers of devices in the US.  Many of the devices have similar features.  However, there are some distinct differences.
4. What happens if there is a problem with one of the wires or if one device type needs to be changed to another?  Sometimes these devices may have a wire malfunction or one of the wires may be recalled due to a suspected risk of malfunction.  Many surgeons often place a new wire in the heart and leave the old wire abandoned there since they are not capable of taking out the old wire.  Unfortunately, this increases the risk of infections and for blood vessels to clot since there is more hardware in the body.  Patients should seek out surgeons that specialize in lead extractions.  Dr. Neil Sanghvi is able to utilize a laser to carefully and safely tease out the old lead that has scarred into the heart.  The risk of a major complication is often less than 1-2% in many cases.  The advantage is that it allows for less hardware to remain in the body which decreases the risks of infection and blood vessel clotting.

Watchman Implant Device Gives Atrial Fibrillation Patients Options

We are excited to announce that First Coast Heart and Vascular Center physician, Dr. Van Crisco is among the first physicians in Northeast Florida to implant the WATCHMAN device, a novel device for stroke risk reduction for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who have problems taking blood thinners.  This procedure is offered at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, thorough the Memorial Structural Heart Program where Dr. Crisco also implants transcatheter aortic valves for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

 

The WATCHMAN device is indicated for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are looking for an alternative to the long-term use of blood thinners, like Coumadin. The WATCHMAN device is an implantable acorn-shaped plug that closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage where over 90% of clots develop that can lead to stroke. The device is implanted through catheter access from the groin, and prevents damaging blood clots from forming. By shutting off the left atrial appendix, the risk of stroke is diminished, and patients may be able to discontinue taking blood thinners like Coumadin.  This procedure is FDA approved and typically requires an overnight stay in hospital.

 

 

“For patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, the WATCHMAN device gives patients a cutting-edge stroke-risk reduction option.” Dr. Crisco says, “The WATCHMAN device can potentially relieve patients from the complications and bleeding risk issues of long-term blood thinners.”

Atrial Fibrillation is a very common abnormal heart rhythm where the upper chambers of the heart beat with an irregular rhythm, predisposing patients to increased risk for stroke over time. Atrial fibrillation affects over 5 million Americans. Approximately 15-20% of all strokes occur in patients with atrial fibrillation, and strokes from atrial fibrillation are typically more severe then other causes. Currently, Coumadin and other newer anticoagulant blood thinners are the most common treatments to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Coumadin specifically, as well as some other blood thinners, is not well tolerated by many patients and carries a significant risk of bleeding complications in particular patients. Almost half of atrial fibrillation patients suitable for Coumadin are currently untreated due to tolerance and adherence issues. WATCHMAN gives these patients an innovative alternative to Coumadin for stroke risk reduction.

To learn more about atrial fibrillation and treatment options to reduce your risk of stroke and to learn about the WATCHMAN device, please call 904.423-0010 to make an appointment.  Device specific information is also available at Watchman Implant Device.