One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease, disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society over 83.7 billion dollars each year in health services, medications and lost work time due to disability. Each year, approximately five and a half million stress nuclear cardiology studies are performed in the United States. Both the pump function and the blood flow of the heart are assessed during nuclear cardiology testing procedures. As a result, physicians are able to detect the presence of cardiovascular disease and may also discover important information regarding the occurrence of future heart attacks.
The heart is evaluated at rest and during exercise using a small amount of radioisotope during the noninvasive procedure. A complex imaging technique, nuclear cardiology testing relies on the experience and training of both the physician and the technologist. Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of the examination. The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) has developed an accreditation program that evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of a nuclear cardiology laboratory.
The Heart and Wellness Institute, Nuclear Medicine located in Grand Rapids, MI, was granted accreditation by the ICANL. The laboratory is one of a growing number of nuclear cardiology laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.
The ICANL was established with the support of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Nuclear Medicine, the Academy of Molecular Imaging, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The ICANL provides a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary accreditation. A non-profit organization, the ICANL is dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and to promoting health care.
Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary. Accreditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed by an independent agency that recognizes the laboratory’s commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.
Dr. Manohar is on the Executive Board and part of the Circle of Red membership, and we’re proud to sponsor Go Red For Women and the fight against heart disease.
For more information on the February 25th Go Red For Women event, please visit the Circle Of Red Website.
The Heart and Wellness Institute is recognized as the premier institute in West Michigan for delivering specialized care in Women’s Heart Disease and Prevention.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of men AND women. How can it be prevented and can it be reversed?
In this video, Dr. Prerana Manohar of the Heart and Wellness Institute and other panelists discuss the answers to these questions.
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About 85-90% of heart disease is preventable. Many things a person does in the course of a day affects the heart- what is eaten, habits formed (from exercise to smoking), quality of sleep, the environment, and stress. These heart health factors can be controlled and making changes in the necessary areas can certainly prevent and even reverse heart disease and the underlying symptoms.
Experts agree diet plays a very important role in heart, health. “Diet†in this case, simply means what is eaten, not restricting calories. Issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes all increase a person’s risk of heart disease. Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and other food related health issues will be controlled if healthy diet choices are made and the risk of heart disease as a result will be diminished.
Exercise is also very important in having a healthy heart. Dr. Manohar recommends a half hour of exercise every day, even if it is just a brisk walk. And if that’s not feasible, at least a half hour four to five times a week is recommended. For every half hour of exercise done, the risk of heart disease is lowered by 10%.
The quality of sleep a person gets is also an important factor in preventing heart disease. Repeated low oxygen levels, as seen with sleep apnea, have a significant effect on the heart and can even lead to congestive heart failure.
Not only do smoking and second hand smoke have a detrimental effect on the heart, but recent studies have shown a correlation between smog and pollution and the occurrence of coronary artery disease. This is why it is important to NOT smoke, to try and stay away from second hand smoke, and to protect the environment.
Dr. Manohar suggests preventing heart disease and reducing risk by meeting with one’s primary care physician to assess risk and make a plan of action. This should include eating right, exercising regularly, getting good quality sleep, and getting rid of bad habits. Then, the risk factors, plan of action, and actions taken should be reassessed regularly. This action plan and regular assessment will contribute to a healthier heart.
With some lifestyle changes and continuous healthy choices, heart disease risk CAN be reduced and even reversed.
Introduction of the Institute and its Leading Cardiologist
Hello, my name is Dr. Prerana Manohar, leading cardiologist and medical director of Heart and Wellness Institute, Grand Rapids. I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and the Heart and Wellness Institute. While we hope to use this blog to provide valuable information regarding heart health, we also hope it will be a valuable communication tool.
As a board certified cardiologist in Grand Rapids, I care about the heart health of my community.  At the Heart and Wellness Institute, we believe that education and prevention are key to reducing the incidence of heart disease and work diligently to get the word out. I have had the privilege of being the Medical Chair for the American Heart Association Go Red For Women event in Grand Rapids, as well as being a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association at various other events. It has been my privilege to direct many conferences on the subject of women and heart disease which have been attended by medical personnel from multiple states.
The Heart and Wellness Institute is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular illnesses in both men and women, with an emphasis on prevention. From our state-of-the-art facilities to our personal care, we want each patient to know their care is created specifically for each one of them. Whether you are looking for the specialized care of a heart doctor or for someone to assist in a plan for prevention, we want to be the Grand Rapids cardiologist you think of first when looking for care.
