The Power Of Teamwork: Heart Center

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  This special advertising section content provided by Massachusetts General Hospital

Did you know that cardiovascular disease kills nearly one million Americans each year, and more than 60% of those deaths could have been prevented? Understanding your risk and recognizing symptoms of heart disease can put you on the path to a healthy heart.

SYMPTOMS OF HEART DISEASE
Each type of heart disease has varying symptoms, but there are some common symptoms that you should be aware of to discuss with your doctor:

• Shortness of breath
• Racing heart
• Chest pains
• Dizzy spells
• Nausea
• Lack of energy

TAKING STEPS TO A HEALTHY HEART
Despite such staggering statistics, there are a few basic changes you can make in your daily life that will make a difference in your susceptibility to cardiovascular disease:

• Eat less fat and more fruit and vegetables
• Exercise 30 minutes daily
• Reduce stress
• Stop smoking

These healthy lifestyle changes provide a good foundation to decrease your risk of developing heart disease. If you need more assistance or have questions about heart disease, we can help.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION CENTER
Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center's Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center brings patients in touch with top-ranked cardiologists and a skilled cardiac team that includes nurses, nutritionist, behavioral and exercise experts. Some of the goals of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center are to:

• Help individuals who have developed heart disease to fully recover and return to a productive lifestyle while reducing the risk of further cardiac events.
• Evaluate and educate individual's with a family history of premature heart disease so they can more effectively reduce their own risk and improve their heart health.
• Empower individuals who have significant risk factors to better manage and control these.

There are several programs at the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center. They include:

• The Heart Attack Primary Prevention Program
• The MGH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
• The Cardiac Metabolic Syndrome Program

THE HEART ATTACK PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAM
It is important to recognize your risks for heart disease, particularly if you have a family history of heart disease. At the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center, doctors have developed a program to evaluate your individual risk

The Heart Attack Primary Prevention Program is a comprehensive, team approach to understanding and evaluating this risk which includes:

• A clinical and behavioral evaluation by a cardiologist, cardiac nurse and nutritionist.
• Evaluation of "biomarkers" of heart disease through specialized blood testing
• An assessment of exercise capacity
• Coordination of specialized cardiac imaging tests if warranted
• A comprehensive summary of your evaluation, which includes your "cardiac risk score" and a set of individualized recommendations based on this evaluation.

THE MGH CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The MGH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, started in 1979, maintains a proud tradition of excellence in assisting individuals who have experienced a heart attack, angioplasty, coronary artery stenting, or cardiac surgery to:

• Regain confidence and reduce further cardiac complications
• Increase aerobic exercise capacity
• Achieve target cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight goals through a variety of strategies which include nutrition counseling, behavior change, stress management, medication therapy and education
• Stop smoking

THE CARDIAC METABOLIC SYNDROME PROGRAM
The Cardiac Metabolic Syndrome Program is designed to assist individuals who are overweight to more clearly understand their cardiac risk and develop effective strategies for lifestyle modification and weight loss. Program components include:

• A comprehensive clinical exam and evaluation with a cardiologist and nutritionist to fully assess your cardiac risk factors
• Measurement of your basal metabolic rate and body fat
• Individualized recommendations for risk factor management and weight loss.
• A 12 week "Learn to be Lean" Program which features group discussion, education, nutrition counseling, exercise and instruction in a variety of stress management techniques.

OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS
Other support groups are also available for those who are looking for help to quit smoking and/or lower their blood pressure.

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL HEART CENTER
Since 1914, The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center has stood on a long tradition of innovation and excellence. Our physicians have made significant contributions to advance the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease through research, and innovative, trailblazing improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

We provide access to the most up to date advancements in technology, clinical trials, and treatments for all types of heart disease and are recognized around the world for our pioneering efforts across the full spectrum of cardiac care.

Our team approach affords us the ability to provide an accurate and timely diagnosis coupled with effective treatment for our patients. Drawing on the depth and breadth of our heart specialists, we are confident in our ability to offer care that is customized to each individual's specific needs.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call us at 866-MGH-8910.

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