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 number one disease that affects us as women. In fact, it’s our number one killer. One out of two of us will die of heart disease. This means it could be you, your mom, your sister, or your best friend. Don’t let this be you or your loved ones. Heart disease is preventable, if you know what to look for. You may have typical symptoms of chest pain, neck pain, jaw discomfort, or arm pain, but many times women have atypical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, or hot flashes. So if you have symptoms you cannot explain, talk to your healthcare provider and get an evaluation for heart disease. It could save your life.
Heart disease is the number one killer of us as Americans, but it doesn’t have to be. Heart disease is preventable. If you know what to look for, that’s the key. If you have symptoms of chest pain, neck pain, and jaw discomfort, these are signs of heart disease. Or if you have nausea, vomiting, heartburn, back discomfort, or other symptoms you cannot explain, contact your healthcare provider. These may be signs of heart disease. At the Heart + Wellness Institute, we can work with you and your healthcare provider to stop this number one killer.
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.
Leading Grand Rapids Cardiologist Dr. Manohar of the Heart and Wellness Institute Tells What Symptoms of Heart Disease are and How You Can Prevent Heart Disease.
To begin, every person should know the classic signs of a heart attack. These symptoms include:
Chest pressure ( pressure located in the mid sternum or left side)
Heavy pain that radiates on the left side of a person’s arm, neck, or shoulder
Shortness of Breath
Breaking out in a sweat
Attention should also be paid to the less typical symptoms such as:
Nausea
Light headedness
Indigestion
Dizziness
Sweats
Passing out
If you have symptoms that are unexplained, you should be evaluated for coronary disease. Coronary disease is the most common disease in the U. S.
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Evidence has proven that free radicals can cause damage to a person’s arteries and vascular system.  Dr. Manohar explains that a nutritious, balanced diet has all the benefits of receiving the antioxidants needed for fighting free radicals.Â
Stress and anxiety are also large risk factors. Anxiety should be addressed through your primary care provider.  According to Dr. Manohar, it is vital that we manage our stress. We can accomplish this in a number of ways; through social interaction, meditation, or simply by going for a walk, to name a few.
Aspirin has proven to help reduce a person’s chance of myocardial infarction (heart attack).  Aspirin is beneficial because it prevents blood clots and doesn’t allow the platelets to stick together as well. It is important to check with your primary care provider if you are over the age of 80 as elderly are at risk for bleeding while taking aspirin.
A stent can be an alternative treatment if a person experiences narrowing of an artery. A stent is a small coil that is placed in the artery to keep it propped open, thus improving blood flow.  A stent is a temporary fix, however, and risk modification is more important. Receiving a stent will not benefit a person if s/he continues to make poor lifestyle choices such as smoking or eating poorly.
Leading Grand Rapids Cardiologist, Dr. Prerana Manohar, of the Heart and Wellness Institute Talks About Heart Disease Risk, Treatment, and Prevention.
Part Two discussion of heart disease on Family Health Matters covers heart disease risk factors.  Some factors are controllable, while others, such as genetics are not.
Genetics play a large role in whether or not a person is at risk for heart disease. If you are a woman with high cholesterol, this can be an issue as well. There is special testing available that can assess risk. Dr. Manohar suggests that a person see their physician to receive a high sensitivity C-reactor protein. An ultrasound of the arteries can also predict whether a person is at risk. A treadmill test can provide a great overall prognosis. And lastly, a coronary CT can obtain information regarding the presence of plaque in the coronary arteries as well as any type of blockage.
Experts agree obesity correlates with heart disease; the question is whether obesity itself affects heart disease, or whether the risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension cause obesity, which in turn cause heart disease. Dr. Manohar adds that trunkel obesity can be associated with infiltration in layers below the skin and organs as well. This can be correlated with immune diseases such as diabetes, poor metabolism, and abnormal cholesterol.
For people suffering from elevated triglycerides, vitamins are available that can help lower triglyceride levels. Dr. Delapp recommends niacin to help keep triglyceride levels low.
Women in post menopause can also be at high risk for heart disease. During this time, metabolism and hormone levels change significantly. Screening is very important due to increased blood pressure and possible cholesterol changes.
Finally, Dr. Manohar states that homocysteine, a common amino acid, is controversial in its effect on heart disease. There have been numerous studies showing that elevated homocysteine is closely tied to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and that this can be counteracted with folic acid. Experts disagree, however, on these findings.
Dr. Manohar of the Heart and Wellness Institute in Grand Rapids Discusses Who is at Risk for Heart Disease and How it Can be Prevented.
Today’s discussion on Family Health Matters is heart disease.  Dr. Prerana Manohar opens the discussion by stating that heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the nation. This is above all the 13 causes of cancer combined.  Statistics dating from 2005 reveal that 450,000 women died of heart disease while only 250 women died of cancer. This is of particular concern to cardioascular experts.  Lifestyle choices and the fact that we are living longer have, together, increased the prevalence of heart disease.
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What many people do not realize is that heart disease is controllable. The leading killers are Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, as well as stroke.  A stroke is an indication of Atherosclerosis and the third leading killer in the nation. Although heart disease is preventable, this nation has not come to that realization.  When we do, the occurrence of heart disease will begin to diminish and eventually, will be non-existent. Â
The leading risk factors of heart disease include:
Smoking
High blood pressure
Physical inactivity
Poor body composition
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Genetic makeup
Dr. Manohar adds that stress, anxiety, and depression can double a person’s risk of heart attack. Studies done in women have shown that stress can increase the risk of heart disease as much as 1½ to 2 times. Dr. Manohar concluded that if we minimize stress, then those risk factors will decrease as well.
Cholesterol can also affect the health of your heart. Most people are aware of LDL (lower density lipid) counts; numbers of 150 or lower are typically acceptable. Higher numbers indicate the possibility of plaque development in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease and strokes.Â
Screening for heart disease begins with looking at the common risk factors. Tests can also be run for those who have no obvious symptoms but want to know if they have any heart problems. Although screening for heart disease is still in the infancy stages and there is no one test,  tests such as ultrasounds of carotid arteries or cat scans of the chest are useful in detecting heart disease.  If you are concerned about your risk of heart disease, you can evaluate your risk by:
Receiving screening from your primary care physician
Having measurements such as body mass and blood pressure checked
Getting blood work done
When getting your cholesterol checked, you can ask your doctor to give you a high sensitivity C-reactive protein. This bio marker is not associated with risk of heart attack or stroke. There are also diagnostic studies that can determine if a person is predisposed to coronary disease.  Soon there will be genetic bio markers as well.
Type I diabetes is a high risk factor for the development of heart disease.  The first issue of concern is glucose levels; it is important for a person with diabetes to maintain a well controlled glucose level.  The second area of concern is the inability to exercise; this is not an uncommon problem among diabetics.  Swimming can be an alternative method of cardiovascular exercise for those who have difficulty walking. Emphasis should be placed on controlling blood sugar levels and maintaining a low carbohydrate diet. Canned fruit should be avoided when possible due to the large amount of sugar in this product.
Heart Disease is the cause of one fourth of all deaths, as well as a major cause of disability for both men and women. Although there are some contributing factors such as age and family history that you can not change, many choices you make can help prevent heart disease.
Cardiologist Dr. Prerana Manohar and the caring staff at the Heart and Wellness Institute can be a support in your efforts to reduce your risks and a valuable source of information. If you want to take a more active role in a healthier tomorrow, talk to your heart doctor about making some of these healthy changes today and ask about the HeartStar® prevention program:
Choose a healthy diet. Your heart doctor can recommend a diet low in salt and fat that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Maintain a healthy body weight. This is one of the key factors in preventing heart disease.
Exercising regularly. Helps not only with weight maintenance, but also helps in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
Quit Smoking. Smoking greatly increases your risk at developing heart disease.
Reduce alcohol consumption.
Treat and maintain other medical conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Heart and Wellness Institute, Grand Rapids is dedicated to helping you live a happy healthy life. We are recognized within the state as a premier facility offering cardiology care for both men and women. If you have any questions about heart health or need a cardiologist, please contact us today!
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.
