Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Firefighters frequently face exposure to the sun and hazardous conditions. Research shows these conditions put them at an increased risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, underlining the need for targeted prevention and early detection efforts. Thus, St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Melanoma Know More are partnering to provide screenings for firefighters in our region. This special event will raise awareness about melanoma and other skin cancers. Firefighters can receive a FREE skin check. Regular checks are a key component for early intervention and successful treatment. The saying “early detection saves…

The facility will provide quality care close to home for cancer patients in Southeastern Indiana all under one roof On Monday, April 29, the highly anticipated St. Elizabeth Dearborn Cancer Center will officially open its doors, providing cutting-edge cancer care and easier access to cancer screenings, prevention and treatment for patients in Southeastern Indiana.  “The opening of the St. Elizabeth Dearborn Cancer Center is a significant milestone in our goal to provide compassionate, top-tier cancer care,” said Garren Colvin, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “We believe everyone in our community deserves world-class care close to home,…

Does your heart seem to race or beat “funny”? It could be one of the most common heart rhythm disorders – atrial fibrillation. “And that can be fixed,” says Dr. Mohamad C. Sinno, a Cardiologist specializing in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology at the Florence Wormwald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth. What is AFib? Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder affecting the heart’s upper chambers (atria). When this happens, the atria can’t effectively pump blood into the ventricles, causing blood to pool in the atria. AFib can lead to potentially life-threatening blood clots and increase your…

Blood pressure machine kiosks are a fast, easy and cost-free way to monitor your blood pressure. But are they accurate? As with many things in life, the answer is, “It depends.” But before we expand on that, let’s talk about why people use these convenient devices and how they can be helpful. Why Do Blood Pressure Monitoring Kiosks Exist? If you have a risk of high blood pressure or have this condition, you probably already know it is important to monitor it. After all, many people refer to high blood pressure as the “silent killer” because it has no noticeable…

Heart attacks often don’t send warning signs. So, when people suddenly and unexpectedly feel symptoms, they think, “This can’t be happening! I’m … As the American Heart Association warns, “Don’t die of doubt.” If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911. It Helps to Learn Heart Attack Symptoms Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can help you be prepared and act more quickly. Symptoms may differ in men and women, but the most common signs of a heart attack are: Sometimes, women don’t experience these “classic” symptoms, said Benjamin Peterson, MD, MPH, an…

When it’s time for your annual primary care provider visit, one health value they’re likely checking is your cholesterol levels. So, you probably already know that keeping your cholesterol levels within range is essential for your overall health. It’s important that you have the facts on cholesterol. Here, Kevin Miller, MD, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, debunks some common myths about cholesterol. Myth #1: All cholesterol is bad There are two types of cholesterol: You should strive to keep your HDL cholesterol level as high as possible and your LDL cholesterol level…

When it comes to high blood pressure, ignorance isn’t bliss. In fact, not knowing could kill you. That’s because high blood pressure (hypertension) has few noticeable symptoms. Left untreated, it can damage your kidneys, heart and other organs before you even realize you have it. The good news is by understanding your risk of high blood pressure and taking steps to lower those risks, you can enjoy better health now and in the future. What is High Blood Pressure? Normal blood pressure allows your heart to pump blood to every organ system in your body. High blood pressure happens when…

Conversations about heart disease typically prompt images of male patients. But heart problems are a major concern for women, too. Nationwide, over 60 million women have some form of heart disease. It contributed to one in five female deaths in 2021, but few women are aware of the dangers.   This is particularly true with Hispanic women. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), only one in three Hispanic women know heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women across the country. If you’re a Hispanic woman, knowing how heart disease may affect you is important because you could…

Most of us are familiar with hypertension (high blood pressure). But fewer people know about a condition called hypotension, or low blood pressure. Symptoms can be scary, but doctors can help you treat hypotension. Here’s what you need to know. Two Types of Hypotension Blood pressure measures the rate at which blood pumps through your body. A normal, healthy range for blood pressure is a reading of 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). When you have a lower reading, it can indicate one of two types of hypotension. Who’s at Risk for Hypotension “Hypotension can affect people of any age…

You may have heard about the Mediterranean diet – or you may even know a friend or family member who’s following it. Have you wondered what all the buzz is about? We recently sat down with Amaninderapal Ghotra, MD, a Cardiologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, to dive into the details of this heart-protective lifestyle and diet. What is the Mediterranean Diet? The diet is based on how people around the Mediterranean Sea–especially in Greece and Crete–have eaten for hundreds of years. “People noticed that those living in a Mediterranean area have a much lower incidence of chronic health conditions,” explains…