We’re just days away from “American Heart Month”, and Blake Medical Center is proud to take part in the nationwide effort to draw attention to preventing America’s No. 1 killer, cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association has come up with 7 simple steps you can take to live better and keep your heart healthier.

Get active:  By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease.  So start walking now.  The American Heart Association set up a social media soul-mate to get your started.  Click here to sign up!

Control your cholesterol:  It’s important to know your cholesterol level. A cholesterol level of 200 or higher puts you in a high-risk category and is cause to take action. 

Eat better:  A healthy diet is one of your best defenses against the disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating a wide variety of nutritious foods daily from each of the basic food groups including: vegetables, fruits, whole grain foods, fish and lean meats and poultry and low-fat dairy products. 

Manage your blood pressure:  Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for heart disease. Statistics show 1 in 3 adults had high blood pressure, but about 21 percent don’t even know they have it.

Lose weight:  145 million Americans 20 or older are obese, according to research.  That’s nearly 77 million men and more than 68 million women.  If you’re overweight, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by safely losing weight and keeping it off.

Reduce blood sugar:  Diabetes is considered one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease by the American Heart Association. Studies show adults with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Stop smoking:  Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease.  When it acts with the other factors experts say it increases your risk from those factors, too. Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot.  It also decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Your risks increase greatly if you smoke and have a family history of heart disease.

To learn more about the Simple 7 plan, log onto mylifecheck.heart.org.

Blake Medical Center is also offering a free Heart Smart Screening Thursday, Feb. 11 from 7-9 a.m. in the Dolphin/Pelican Room.  The screening includes glucose, cholesterol & lipid panel and blood pressure check.  Fasting is required.  To RSVP, call 1-888-359-3552.

Blake is proud to have an award-winning Heart Institute with a superior cardiac program combining a highly-skilled team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart disease along with advanced technology to increase a patient’s chance of surviving a heart attack with fewer complications.

For heart month, we are also offering two free Dinner with a Doctor seminars with renowned cardiac surgeon and Mitral Valve Specialist Dr. Alessandro Golino on January 29 and February 26 at 5:30 p.m.  A healthy dinner with be served. 

Reservations are required.  Call 1-888-359-3552, or visit us online at www.blakemedicalcenter.com.

If you or a loved one suffers from a serious, debilitating health condition like a stroke or brain injury, the road to recovery can be a long and difficult one. 

At Blake Medical Center’s inpatient rehabilitation unit, we offer award-winning comprehensive care allowing patients who have had a physical or cognitive deficit from disease or injury regain the highest independence possible in a supportive atmosphere.

“The care I received from the Medics and ER staff was great, and the rehab was fantastic. The staff was so personable and helpful.  I’m so happy to be back painting again,” said Kip Ackerman, a 49-year-old patient who suffered a hip fracture.

Located on the hospital’s second floor, our 28-bed rehabilitation center is the only acute inpatient rehab facility in Manatee County.  It’s also accredited by the Joint Commission and CARF— Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

We offer care from an interdisciplinary team, which includes a physiatrist (a physician specializing in rehabilitation), physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, therapeutic recreation, nursing and social services. 

The inpatient rehab center treats more than 500 patients a year with a wide range of conditions including, but not limited to:

• Stroke
• Amputation
• Major multiple trauma
• Brain injury
• Neurological disorders
• Bone fractures

Rehabilitation social workers provide guidance, supportive counseling and family conferences to the patient and family, to set realistic goals and discharge plans.

“Families play an important role in helping patients adapt to a new physical challenge to regain independence,” said Rehab Outreach Coordinator Terry Doire, RN.

Blake Medical Center’s rehabilitation patients also have 24/7 access to all of the hospital’s services along with physician consultations.

For more information or a tour of our unit, call the referral line at (941) 526-3718 or visit us on line at www.blakemedicalcenter.com.

Did Mona Lisa have high cholesterol?  Media organizations around the world, including Time, are reporting an Italian medical expert believes the famous smile was probably the result of fatty acids accumulated around her left eye.

While we may never know for sure if the subject of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece had high cholesterol or not, the rest of us need to know if we do.

“High Cholesterol has no symptoms.   So that means you don’t have to worry about it then, right?  ABSOLUTELY false,” Blake Medical Center’s Vice President of Cardiovascular Services Donna Disbro said.  “Even though high cholesterol is silent, it can potentially result in a heart attack or stroke.”

Several factors can increase your risk of having high cholesterol including age, family history, obesity, a high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive alcohol intake.

Here are five tips to help lower your cholesterol:

• Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.  Before starting any diet, consult your doctor about the best plan for you.
• Avoid processed foods, refined sugars and starches (white bread, white potatoes, white rice and simple sugars).
• If you are overweight, lose weight.
• Exercise regularly.  If you don’t, begin a safe program with the advice of your doctor.
• If you smoke, quit.

“Knowing your cholesterol levels and addressing these levels can help you avoid heart disease and other complications later in life,” Disbro added.

Blake Medical Center is offering free screenings on Thursday, February 11 in the hospital’s Dolphin Pelican Room.

The screenings include:

• Cholesterol & Lipid Panel
• Glucose
• Blood Pressure

Call 1-888-359-3552 to make your appointment now. Fasting is required. 

Other screening dates include:

• April 23
• June 10
• September 16
• December 9

If you have questions about high cholesterol, call our free Consult-A-Nurse hotline at 1-888-359-3552.  Or for more information about Blake Medical Center, visit our website at www.blakemedicalcenter.com.

A potentially deadly accident, heart attack or stroke can happen in a matter of moments.  And when you or a loved one makes that desperate call to 911, you want a fast response in order to save a life.

The call for help during such an event that is so significant, it can become a defining moment in a person’s life.

“Breaking my neck was the most frightening moment of my life. I am eternally grateful to the Medics who came to help me as well as the team at Blake Medical Center’s Emergency Department,” Pat Jablonski said.

The 42-year-old suffered his neck injury while surfing.  He’s one of 13 patients who are sharing their stories in Blake Medical Center’s 2010 ER Calendar.  Their stories are all different, but they all share a similar experience.

The men, women and children featured in the calendar consider themselves lucky enough to be cared for by the best EMS crews in their field— the paramedics and EMTs of Manatee County’s EMS along with Blake’s ER staff.

James Allen, 18, suffered a neck injury while playing football.

“Everything from the EMS ride to the time I spent in the Emergency Room allowed me to finish out my senior football season. Thanks to everyone who cared for me,” Allen said.

ER patients Vernon Wallingford, 66, and Norma Collins, 65, both suffered heart attacks.

“Having a heart attack is very scary. The Medics that arrived to take care of me were absolutely wonderful and the team at Blake’s Emergency Department was terrific,” Collins said.

In Wallingford’s case, he suffered a potentially deadly type of heart attack known as a STEMI.  A patient’s STEMI time is the time it takes to reestablish blood flow to the heart.

Blake is proud to provide these highly critical heart attack patients with treatment times well below the national average of 90 minutes.  Wallingford’s STEMI time was 34 minutes.

“Everything was great. Thanks to everyone doing their jobs so efficiently, I’m still here to have fun,” he said.

You can check out the ER calendar on our website at www.blakemedicalcenter.com, or call our Consult-A-Nurse hotline at 1-888-359-3552 to order one free.

Are you tired all the time?  Does snoring keep you awake all night?  Do you ever wake up gasping for breath?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 40 million Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder. 

Diagnosing and treating sleep disorders can reduce your risk for health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression.

The Sleep Center at Blake Medical Center has a credentialed staff and an established facility to diagnose and treat your chronic sleep disorder including some of the most common disorders:

• Sleep apnea: an interrupted breathing pattern during sleep. It can occur as many as several hundred times per night, causing a lack of oxygen and resulting in poor quality sleep.
• Narcolepsy: frequent attacks of drowsiness and sleep throughout the day. These “sleeping spells” are uncontrollable.
• ·         Nocturnal Myoclonus: characterized by fragmented sleep, patients usually experience spastic leg movements during sleep.
• Insomnia: difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. The reasons for insomnia are varied including psychological factors, such as stress or depression; environmental factors such as noise; or physiological factors which could include difficulty in breathing or physical pain.
• Parasomnias: this disorder can masquerade as bedwetting, night terrors, sleepwalking and sleep talking because it occurs at random times during the night.

“Sleep disorders are grossly underdiagnosed,” said Laura Lenzen, MBA, director of respiratory therapy and the Sleep Center at Blake Medical Center. “If you are tired all the time, wake up gasping for breath, snore heavily, or have a family history of sleep disorders, talk to your physician about being tested for a sleep disorder.”

The Sleep Center conducts overnight sleep studies—or daytime studies for third-shift workers. Patients will sleep in one of four bedrooms with amenities like private baths while blood pressure, brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and other data are recorded.

American Academy of sleep medicine board-certified sleep specialists and registered polysomnographers conduct and analyze each test. A diagnosis of sleep apnea may require additional testing to ensure proper functioning of the most effective treatment: sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure machine.

So don’t let sleep disorders keep you awake!   For a physician referral or to learn more, call 1-877-4-HCA-DOCS or visit our website at www.blakemedicalcenter.com.

Many people who live with chronic pain in their hips and knees endure the discomfort longer than necessary.  They often consider having joint replacement surgery as a last resort and worry about the lengthy recovery process.

The Joint Care Center at Blake Medical Center offers comprehensive care with world-class physicians and the latest treatment technology and rehabilitation options, to improve outcomes of orthopedic patients.

Available procedures include:

• Knee Replacement
• Partial Knee Replacement
• Shoulder Replacement
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement
• Hip Replacement
• Hip Resurfacing

All of this is offered in a beautiful, hotel-like setting designed is provide comfort and healing while improving the patient’s quality of life.  The post-operative private suites are specially designed to meet the needs of patients and their families.

Amenities include:

• On-site dedicated lounge for patients and families
• Concierge Service
• Java Joint – Gourmet coffees
• Hot breakfasts, soups, fresh baked cookies, fresh popcorn
• Computer access in our cybercafé
• Flat screen TVs
• Sleeper sofas or recliners for family members

Blake Medical Center is also offering several free hip and knee pain seminars, including the two listed below, to help you find your latest options for help with your aching hips and knees.  We’ll also review the most commonly recommended medications, therapies, exercises and surgeries.

When:  Tuesday, January 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m.Where:
Healthcare America Walk-In Clinic
6110 SR 70 East, Bradenton

When: Wednesday, January 6, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: AMF Bradenton Lanes
4208 Cortez Road West, Bradenton
To pre-register for the seminars, call 1-888-359-3552.  Or for more information about the Joint Care Center, visit Blake Medical Center’s website at www.blakemedicalcenter.com.

When you have to make an unexpected trip to the emergency room, you want to be treated right away so waiting to see a physician can be stressful.  And the dangers of your condition could worsen the longer it takes you to get treated. 

For heart attack and stroke patients, a few minutes of delay in treatment can mean the difference between life and death.

Did you know the national average wait time in the emergency room is an hour?  At Blake Medical Center we know every minute matters to you.  We are continually striving to beat the national average, and we’ve taken the guess work out of the time it takes to be seen by a physician with innovative technologies.

When a patient arrives at the ER, a system records the amount of time it takes for him or her to see a qualified medical practitioner.  Wait times are then updated electronically approximately every 30 minutes, using an average of the previous four hours.

And you don’t have to wait until you’re sitting in the ER to know how long the wait will be.  Patients can access the current wait times through a number of technologies.  Here’s how!

• Blake Medical Center website 

Current ER wait times are always posted on our hospital website at www.blakemedicalcenter.com

• Texting

From your cell phone the ER wait time is right at your fingertips by texting ER to 23000. 

For more information about any of the information provided, call (941) 782-7585.

Heart disease is leading cause of death in the United States, and this year alone 500,000 American women will die from cardiovascular disease.

At Blake Medical Center’s Heart Institute, we have award-winning programs and advanced technology to increase a patient’s chance of surviving a heart attack with fewer complications.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is interrupted. This deprives the heart muscle of oxygen, causing tissue damage or tissue death.  A STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) is a deadly type of heart attack.

Time is critical to saving a STEMI patient’s life.  The American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Joint Commission have determined that a patient’s blood flow should be reestablished in 90 minutes or less from the time he or she arrives in the hospital’s emergency room.  Blake is proud to meet and very often beat that goal.

Blake is also home to the West Florida Mitral Valve Repair Center, where our highly-skilled cardiac team is able to give patients a better quality of life by often repairing rather than replacing the mitral valve.

“Here at Blake we have repair rates that are way above the national average,” said cardiothoracic surgeon and Mitral Valve Specialist Dr. Alessandro Golino.  “Currently we have a 96 percent repair rate.”

If the surgery is performed quickly enough, the patient can be returned to a normal life expectancy often without the need for anti-coagulation medication (blood thinners) or additional surgeries.

We also provide a cardiac rehabilitation and exercise program to help return patients to a healthy lifestyle after a heart attack through continued monitoring, exercise and  risk-factor modification

Blake has also received the following awards and recognitions for cardiac care:

• 100 Top Cardiovascular Hospital by Thomson Reuters
• Accredited Chest Pain Center with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by the Society of Chest Pain Centers
• Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) Designation from the Joint Commission

• Blue Distinction for Cardiac Care by Blue Cross Blue Shield

For more information about the Heart Institute, visit our website at www.blakemedicalcenter.com or call 1-877-4-HCA-DOCS (1-877-442-2362).

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