Welcome to Cross County Cardiology

Understanding Coronary Stents: A Lifesaver in Heart Care

Coronary artery disease is still one of the top causes of death worldwide. Thankfully, advances in medical treatments, like coronary stents, have made a huge difference in how we treat heart problems. At Cross County Cardiology, we're proud to be at the forefront of providing this life-saving procedure.

What Are Coronary Stents?

Think of a coronary stent like a tiny spring that helps keep your arteries open. This simple, non-invasive procedure has revolutionized how cardiologists treat blocked arteries. In fact, the process has become so refined that it’s now often done through the wrist, allowing patients to go home the same day. The quick and significant improvement in heart function is what makes stents such an effective solution for chronic heart conditions.

Addressing the Root Causes

While getting a coronary stent can be life-saving, it’s only part of the solution. The underlying causes—such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking—still need to be managed. If these issues aren't addressed, they can continue to damage your arteries.

Life After a Stent

After the procedure, it’s crucial to stay on your prescribed medications, including cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, and an additional anti-platelet agent like Plavix or Berlinta. Just like patients who receive a kidney transplant need to take anti-rejection drugs, people with stents need these medications to prevent the body from rejecting the stent. These drugs help keep platelets from sticking to the stent, which could cause new blockages.

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that the risk of stent thrombosis (a type of blood clot) was just 1.3% in 9,434 patients with new-generation drug-eluting stents. This shows how safe the procedure can be when done correctly. However, it’s very important not to stop taking your medication for at least a year after the procedure unless you have a major surgery or another serious reason to do so.

The Bigger Picture

Coronary stents are indeed saving lives and improving the quality of life for many people. But the key to long-term success lies in following your medication regimen and making healthy lifestyle changes. At Cross County Cardiology, we’re committed to providing care that goes beyond the procedure, helping our patients lead healthier, longer lives.

For more detailed information, you can visit the National Institutes of Health article on stent thrombosis here

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Understanding Heart Attack vs. Sudden Cardiac Death: A Critical Distinction

Understanding the distinction between a heart attack and sudden cardiac death is crucial for effective cardiovascular health management. In this blog, we explore the key differences and their implications, aiming to provide you with vital information that could potentially save lives.

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Busting the Myths: Decoding Coronary Heart Disease

It's an all too common scenario - you walk into the doctor's office for a routine check-up and end up getting drawn into a conversation about your family history. You speak of your lineage's battle with coronary heart disease and, you fear, your imminent part in the narrative. Fear not! Dr. Kevin Soriano, a distinguished interventional cardiologist at Cross County Cardiology, is here to ease that anxiety with factual information and count a popular myth.

The all-prevailing myth that Coronary Heart Disease is entirely dictated by genetics is simply that - a myth. Of course, Dr. Soriano acknowledges that genetics play a significant role in the development of heart and coronary artery disease. However, it is not the entire narrative; it is not an unavoidable destiny. It doesn't end there!

The good news is that even those with a strong genetic predisposition for coronary artery disease can actively avoid becoming a candidate for it. How? Enter, a healthy lifestyle. Forging a simple and effective triad of regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and keeping your cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight in check can significantly decrease your chances of developing coronary artery disease.

So, no matter how much you feel your genetics are stacked against you, remember, you are not predestined to suffer from coronary artery disease. You have the power to change the narrative. Arm yourself with the right information and take charge of your heart health today!

Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have regarding your heart health.

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Press Release: Cross County Cardiology Honored to Partner with Mount Sinai's Top-Ranked Cardiovascular Program

August 8, 2024

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The Reality Check: Debunking the Myths about Stress and Heart Diseases!

As we level up in our pursuit of achieving optimum heart health, our practice at Cross County Cardiology wants to shed light on some misleading information surrounding this journey. Countless pagans of the internet cite alternative therapies as the new miracle for all heart-related ailments. Let us debunk some of these myths, and emphasize the importance of individualized care.

One common misconception is that stress reduction techniques do not significantly impact our heart health. Let us say this loud and clear: this belief is entirely false. The body's secretion of specific hormones, such as cortisol, under stress can have serious damaging effects on the heart, similar to the impact of sleep deprivation. So, what's the bottom line? Stress management and maintaining a mentally healthy lifestyle are crucial components of heart health.

Moreover, the belief that dietary supplements alone can prevent heart disease is another myth that needs debunking. While some dietary supplements can support heart health, relying exclusively on them can not guarantee a heart disease-free life. In fact, certain supplements are known contributors to heart diseases. Therefore, it becomes crucial to understand the pluses and minuses of whatever protocols we follow.

At Cross County Cardiology, we believe strongly in individualized care. A one-size-fits-all approach does not apply when it comes to caring for your heart. To ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients, we tailor our recommendations to the individual, taking into account their unique needs, health status, and lifestyle.

Stay tuned for more valuable advice, recommendations, and debunking myths, exclusively from your trusted team at Cross County Cardiology.
  
BTW - check out our very own Dr. Chris Pumill's IG video reel discussing this very important topic, click here. 

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Unveiling the Mysteries of Endocarditis: A Comprehensive Guide

Many of us may not be familiar with the term endocarditis but, as Dr. Rick Pumill, renowned Cardiologist, explains, it refers to a heart or heart valve infection - a condition that can be quite catastrophic if not diagnosed and treated promptly. While many medical sites cover the basics of this condition, this article will delve into the unseen depths, offering a unique perspective by involving comprehensive statistics and other vital information.

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High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy: How Common Is It and How Is It Treated in the U.S. from 2008 to 2021

Study Reviewed by the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

Introduction Treating high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) during pregnancy can help prevent serious health problems for both the mother and baby. This blog post will look at how common high blood pressure is during pregnancy and how it has been treated over the years, especially after new guidelines were introduced in 2017 by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

Study Methods Researchers used data from insurance claims in the United States from 2007 to 2021. They looked at how many pregnant women had high blood pressure and which medicines were used to treat it.

Key Findings

  1. Increase in High Blood Pressure: From 2008 to 2021, the number of pregnant women with high blood pressure went up from 1.8% to 3.7%. This means that out of nearly 2 million pregnancies, more women were dealing with this condition over the years.

  2. Stable Treatment Rates: Around 57% to 60% of pregnant women with high blood pressure were given medication during this time. This percentage didn’t change much over the years.

  3. Changes in Medication: The types of medicines used changed a lot:

    • Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide: Fewer women used these medicines (methyldopa dropped from 29% to 2%, and hydrochlorothiazide from 11% to 5%).
    • Labetalol and Nifedipine: More women used these medicines (labetalol went from 19% to 42%, and nifedipine from 9% to 17%).
  4. Impact of 2017 Guidelines: The new 2017 guidelines didn’t change how many women had high blood pressure or how it was treated.

Conclusion The number of pregnant women with high blood pressure has doubled from 2008 to 2021. Labetalol has become the most commonly used medicine instead of methyldopa. However, only about 60% of women with high blood pressure during pregnancy are treated with medication.

Final Thoughts Managing high blood pressure during pregnancy is crucial for the health of both mother and baby. It's important to stay informed about the best practices and treatments available.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Cross County Cardiology Education Team!

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How Extra ApoB Affects Heart Health

We wanted to share our research from a medical abstract.

An ApoB test helps your doctor analyze whether or not you are at risk for heart disease. It measures the amount of apolipoprotein B in your blood. Apolipoprotein B attaches to negative types of cholesterol that cause plaque buildup in your blood vessels, which can lead to damage and heart disease

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People With CVD Consume Too Much Sodium

The Cross County Cardiology Education Team highlights a new study of more than 3,100 people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) that found 89% consumed more than the recommended daily maximum of 1,500 mg of sodium. The study, led by Dr. Elsie Kodjoe, MD, MPH, analyzed data from questionnaires submitted by patients with CVD who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2018.

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Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Statin Therapy for Older Adults

Welcome to the Cross County Cardiology Education Team's latest blog post! Today, we’re discussing an important topic: the use of statins for preventing heart diseases in older adults.

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