women and heart disease saveslivesstroketeam · type plasmogen activator), ... of knee and shoulder...

Betty Jackson, age 69, just finished having a

leisurely breakfast with her husband, Kevin,

and was at the sink washing the dishes. The next

thing she remembers is a sudden onset of difficulty

speaking, weakness in her face, arm and leg on her

right side, and falling to the floor. Mr. Jackson, who

was in the kitchen at the time, could not get his

wife up from the floor. Immediately he called 911.

Later, they learned that such symptoms are

classic symptoms of stroke, and that Mrs. Jackson had suffered

an acute stroke caused by a blockage of one of the blood vessels

in her brain.

Fortunately for the Jacksons, the critical care she needed

was ready and responsive, from the Emergency Medical Services

accessed through 911 to the expert team at Washington Adventist

Hospital Stroke Center.

Mrs. Jackson arrived at the Emergency Room of Washington

Adventist Hospital within 20 minutes of the onset of her symptoms. She

received immediate attention from our Stroke Team, an experienced

team of stroke specialists available 24 hours a day, in conjunction with

our Emergency Room physicians. Within 50 minutes of her arrival —

10 minutes less than the national standard — a complete medical

work-up of Mrs. Jackson was performed, including complex brain

scans and other tests to quickly assess damage caused by stroke.

Unable to speak or follow commands and paralyzed on her right

side, Mrs. Jackson received a revolutionary medication, rt-PA (tissue-

type plasmogen activator), used to restore blood flow to her brain and

potentially save her brain tissue damaged by stroke. The drug must

be administered within three hours of the first symptoms of stroke.

From the Emergency Room, Mrs. Jackson was transferred to our

Neurological Intensive Care Unit and then the Neurosurgical & Stroke

Unit, where she steadily improved over the next four days. She was

then moved to Kessler-Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital, located on the

fifth floor of Washington Adventist Hospital, where she stayed for two

weeks to undergo intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Stroke Team Saves Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1“The Spirit of Community Can Make Remarkable Things Happen”: A Letter from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Women and Heart Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Ask The Doctor: Christopher Magee, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Mothers-to-Be Will Benefit From New Antepartum Unit . . . . . . . . .5Stroke Team Saves Lives, continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Managing Your Cholesterol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Looking for a Doctor? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Important Numbers and Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

See our pull-out calendar for a complete schedule of classes and community events.This

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Continued on Page 6Note: This story is a composite of several different patients who were treated for stroke atWashington Adventist Hospital. This scenario is typical of many stroke cases.

Damirez Fossett, M.D., Director, Neuroscience Services, is a member of our specializedStroke Team, dedicated to providing rapid, expert response around the clock.

642/0020 Winter Newsletter mri 5/9/05 3:30 PM Page 2

A L E T T E R F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T

"The Spirit of Community Can MakeRemarkable Things Happen."

Ken Bauer, President

www.WashingtonAdventistHospital.com2

Dear Neighbor,

As much as the storm itself, the

display of spirit in our community

of Takoma Park in the days leading up to

and during Hurricane Isabel has left us

a memorable legacy.

Like the great snowstorm of 2003,

the MARC train accidents and September 11,

among other historic events in our nearly

100 years as a healthcare provider in

Takoma Park, our response to Hurricane

Isabel and our capacity to work together

for a common cause was a practical

demonstration of what we at Washington

Adventist Hospital consider a

part of our compassionate and attentive

service to the community on a daily basis.

We saw people in our community

working together. We witnessed a great

outpouring of respect and trust. We

experienced that sense of shared purpose

and common focus that binds us together

as a community.

At the hospital, advance preparations

for Hurricane Isabel were extremely

thorough. Our risk assessment, including

buildings and grounds, medical supplies

and equipment, food and water, fuel,

staffing and more, ensured that our

hospital was completely self-sustained

for 24 hours.

Leaving concerns about their

own families and property behind, the

dedication and good humor of our

physicians, staff and volunteers

who stayed at the hospital through the

storm enabled us to provide continuous

healthcare service to our patients

and their families. Our staff worked in

difficult situations, such as high heat,

with fortitude.

During the storm, when our

community’s electrical, water and phone

systems failed, our hospital never closed.

In this networked, e-literate, life-at-the-

speed-of-thought world in which we live,

we appreciated being a station for the

City of Takoma Park Police, as well as

a beacon for those requiring medical

attention. All of us liked the spirit of

community — the trust in the ways we

combined resources to make remarkable

things happen and the reliance on being

open and involved with others who

shared a sense of purpose and pride.

That is exactly what community has

always been about. And we will continue

to work hard to make sure that we do

not lose our capacity for community.

It is worth our best efforts.

Sincerely,

Ken BauerPresidentWashington Adventist Hospital


FREE PHYSICIAN REFERRAL: 800-642-0101 3

Women andHeart DiseaseThe CardioVascular Institute at Washington Adventist Hospital is proud

to continue its series of articles focusing on Women and Heart Disease.

In our last article we discussed some of the signs and symptoms

women often experience with heart disease, such as severe fatigue,

indigestion, dizziness, edema, chest pain and breathlessness. We also

listed the risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, high blood pressure,

high blood cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes and stress,

many of which can be controlled through healthy lifestyle changes.

There are 8,000,000 American women currently living with heart

disease. The National Institutes of Health says that one in ten American

women 45 to 64 years of age has some form of heart disease, and

this increases to one in four women over 65.

How can women prevent heart attacks?Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease. Coronary

artery disease is the hardening and narrowing of the coronary arteries

by the buildup of plaque in the inside walls. Over time, this plaque

buildup can narrow the arteries, causing less blood to flow to the heart,

as well as completely block the arteries or cause blood clots to form.

The best way for women, like men, to prevent a heart attack is

to make lifestyle changes. These include eating a heart-healthy diet,

improving your cholesterol ratio, exercising regularly, controlling high

blood pressure, controlling diabetes and maintaining a healthy weight.

What is the treatment for heart attacks in women?Once a heart attack has been diagnosed, treatment is usually

the same for men and women. The main treatments are:

• Thrombolytic Drugs (clot-busters) — Drugs used to dissolve

blood clots that are blocking the flow of blood to the heart.

• Angioplasty — Procedures used to open blocked or narrowed

coronary arteries.

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery — Surgery that uses arteries or

veins from other areas in your body to bypass the blocked

coronary arteries.

• Medications — There are a number of medications that can be

used in treating heart attacks.

Your physician will decide which treatment is best for you

depending on your current condition and the underlying cause of

the heart attack. The sooner you begin treatment, the better the

chances are for recovery.

What happens after a heart attack?After a heart attack, you will need to schedule regular visits to

your physician for checkups and tests to monitor your heart. Your

physician may also recommend cardiac rehabilitation to help with

your recovery and to prevent another heart attack.

For more information on heart disease, visit our Web site at

www.adventisthealthcare.com/WAH/cvinstitute. If you need

to schedule an appointment with a cardiovascular specialist,

please call Health Link, the

Washington Adventist

Hospital physician referral

line, at 800-642-0101. ■

There are 8,000,000 American women currently living with heart disease.

The best way for women to prevent a heart attack is to make goodlifestyle choices — by controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol,exercising regularly, giving up smoking, and having a heart-healthy diet.


www.WashingtonAdventistHospital.com

C hristopher M. Magee, M.D. (pictured

left), is a board-certified orthopedic

surgeon who specializes in the treatment

of knee and shoulder injuries as well as

the treatment of arthritic joints. In this

issue, Dr. Magee answers some common

questions on sports injuries, joint

replacement and winter injuries.

I have been experiencing severe pain in my left shoulder for thelast few weeks. It often "pops" when I am lifting anything overmy head. What could be the cause?

Often this is caused by Impingement Syndrome. This condition is

associated with repeated overhead activity. Most pain is experienced

at night or when lifting. The good news is this condition is treatable

and reversible. You may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications

such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Resting the sore joint and putting ice

on it can also ease pain and inflammation. If the pain doesn't

go away, an injection of cortisone into the joint may help.

I ran cross-country in college and was treated for patella alignment problems. Recently, my knee has been slipping out.Is this treated surgically?

Instability can be serious and may require surgery. However,

treatment that involves physical therapy and bracing or taping

techniques can successfully treat patella alignment. If your knee

exam shows that you have significant laxity or loosening of the

ligament, it is reasonable to consider surgery. If you are experiencing

problems you should be examined by an orthopedic surgeon to

determine the best course of action.

I am 65 years old and was recently told by my primary carephysician that I need to consider knee replacement surgery.What does this involve and what is the recovery process?

Before recommending surgery, your orthopedic surgeon may

advise you to first try pain medication, physical therapy, anti-

inflammatory medication and avoiding activities that cause pain. If

these aren't effective, surgery may be an option. Knee replacement

involves replacing arthritic portions of the knee with metal or plastic.

After surgery, you will be required to stay in the hospital for three

days. Following your hospital stay, you will enter a physical therapy

program for four to six weeks. Typically, people are able to resume

driving within four weeks of surgery. ■

4

Ask the Doctor:Christopher Magee, M.D.,Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

New Radiology Technology Expands Diagnostic Care Washington Adventist Hospital’s delivery of excellent patient

care has been enhanced with the installation of our new ultra

high performance Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, or MRI.

This state-of-the-art MRI delivers unsurpassed diagnostic detail,

allowing our physicians to quickly and precisely diagnose a wide

variety of conditions, including problems of the:

• Chest and Heart — Circulatory diseases, such as structural

heart problems and evaluation of heart attacks.

• Blood Vessels (MR Angiography) — Blockages, enlargement of

the artery (aneurysm) and tears (dissection) in the arteries and

blood clots in lung vessels.

• Head, Brain and Spine — Tumors, bleeding in the brain, damage

caused by stroke or multiple sclerosis, spine disorders, such as

herniated discs and nerve impingement.

• Abdomen — Tumors in the kidney, liver, pancreas and other

organs, and excellent visualization of bile ducts.

• Bones, Joints and Tissues — Cartilage, ligament and tendon

damage, subtle fractures, bone marrow disorders, inflammation

caused by arthritis and rheumatism.

MRI utilizes a magnetic field and radio waves to produce

a highly accurate view of the inside of any portion of the body

from many different angles. The examination is painless and

extremely safe, because no radiation is used.

To enhance the image of a particular part of the body, a

contrast medium called Gadolinium is sometimes used. Even

patients allergic to iodine, which is used in Computed Tomography

(CT), can safely receive this agent, which is given intravenously.

For more information on our state-of-the-art MRI, please

contact the Radiology Department at 301-891-5106. ■



Every expectant mother experiences some anxieties about her

pregnancy, but perhaps none more so than mothers facing high-risk

pregnancies. Fortunately, for those mothers who may encounter

difficulties, reassuring care and comfort will be right at hand in the

new Antepartum Unit at Washington Adventist Hospital.

The Antepartum Unit is scheduled to open in Spring 2004,

under the direction of Dr. Pamela Grant, our perinatologist, a

specialist in maternal-fetal health. Dr. Grant joined the staff

of Washington Adventist Hospital in July 2002. She is a board-

certified obstetrician and completed her fellowship in mater-

nal-fetal medicine at the University of Cincinnati in 1996.

Patients who need the specialized care of an antepartum

unit may include those women with premature labor,

gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced

hypertension. These patients may require

intensive monitoring, medications or treatment

to improve the outcomes of their pregnancy.

The new unit will consist entirely of private rooms, each

equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring for both mother and baby.

Nurses, trained and certified in obstetrics and high-risk pregnancies,

will be on duty 24 hours a day to provide care and reassurance.

If a premature delivery is unavoidable, our Special Care

Nursery is on-site and ready to care for the newborn. Under the

direction of Dr. Dorothy Hsiao, our chief neonatologist — a board-

certified doctor specializing in the care of high-risk newborns —

the nursery is staffed round-the-clock with pediatricians and

specially trained nurses. Equipped with the latest monitoring

and stabilization technology, the Special Care Nursery is

designed to ensure that premature babies and those

who have experienced problems during birth can receive

the specialized care they need, while remaining close to

mom and dad.

For more information about the Women’s and

Infants’ Center at Washington Adventist Hospital,

call 877-203-7719. ■

Mothers-to-Be WillBenefit From NewAntepartum Unit

Arshad Sheikh, M.D., examines expectant mother Unoma Okigbo at the hospital. Our new Antepartum Unit will soon be available to provide even more specialized services and care for high-risk pregnancies.


www.WashingtonAdventistHospital.com6

Upon her release from the hospital, Mrs. Jackson continued

to receive outpatient therapy from the hospital’s physical therapy

department. Three months after her stroke, Mrs. Jackson had full

use of her right arm, full return of language function and now walks

with only a slight limp.

The Washington Adventist Hospital Stroke Team, along with

our dedicated nursing and rehabilitation staffs, delivered rapid and

specialized care to Mrs. Jackson to enable her to return home and

resume a full lifestyle.

Stroke is an emergency and its treatment must be delivered quickly.Call 911 if you have any of the following possible symptoms:

• Sudden weakness, paralysis or numbness in the face,

arm or leg

• Sudden severe headache

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance

• Difficulty speaking or understanding simple statements

Contact Joseph Haymore, CRNP, at 301-891-6204 for more information about strokes and rt-PA.

Stroke Team Saves Lives (continued from Page 1)

Facts about StrokesStroke is our nation's #3 killer and a leading cause

of severe, long-term disability. You can lower your risk by

monitoring blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, carotid

artery disease and not smoking.

The following chart is based on data from the 2002

Heart & Stroke Statistical Update of the American Heart

Association and the American Stroke Association.

• Women are more likely to die from stroke than men.

• African Americans are 38% more likely to have a stroke than Caucasians.

• African Americans under the age of 55 are 2 to 3 timesmore likely to have a stroke than Caucasians.

• African American men and women are more likely to diefrom stroke than Caucasians.

9080706050403020100

39.7 40

60

87

Stroke Deaths Per 1000 People

NativeAmericans

Hispanic Asian Caucasian AfricanAmericans

52

Vicky Goldey, RTR-MRI, an MRITechnologist, provides rapid accessto state-of-the-art imaging technology for stroke assessment.



High cholesterol affects more than 42

million Americans, and an additional 63

million have borderline high cholesterol. An

elevated blood cholesterol level can significantly

increase your risk of developing coronary

artery disease and other vascular disorders.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance

that is a natural component of the fats in the

bloodstream and in all the cells of the body.

While cholesterol is an essential part of a

healthy body, high levels of cholesterol in

the blood (known as hypercholesterolemia)

increase a person’s risk for cardiovascular

disease, which can lead to stroke or heart attack.

Cholesterol is carried through the

bloodstream by lipoproteins. The two main types

of lipoproteins are high density lipoproteins

(HDLs) and low density lipoproteins (LDLs).

HDL, or “good” cholesterol, actually benefits

your body. It helps prevent heart disease by

carrying cholesterol away from the arteries and

back to the liver. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol,

contains more fat and less protein. It is less

stable and tends to fall apart. Instead of moving

easily through the blood, it sticks to the cell

lining the inside of the artery walls. This plaque

build-up can eventually lead to hardened

arteries (atherosclerosis) and dramatically

increase your risk of heart disease.

By reducing your blood cholesterol level,

you can reduce the chances of developing

coronary heart disease. The guidelines from

the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

(NHLBI) state that for all adults, total

blood cholesterol levels should be less than

200mg/dL. Total cholesterol levels between

200 and 239 are considered borderline high.

And a level of 240 and higher is considered

high blood cholesterol. There are a number

of things you can do to lower your blood

cholesterol, beginning with changing your

diet by eating fewer foods high in saturated

fat, total fat and cholesterol. The total fat in

your diet should average no more than 30

percent of your calories, and you should eat

less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day. If

you are overweight, losing weight can help

you lower your LDL cholesterol and may

help to increase your HDL levels. Also,

increasing physical activity can help improve

your cholesterol levels, while helping to

keep your heart healthy.

If you’re unsuccessful in reducing levels of

LDL cholesterol through diet and exercise, then

your physician may prescribe a cholesterol-

reducing drug such as statins. Statins work by

blocking the production of specific enzymes

used by the body to make cholesterol. They

are particularly effective at lowering levels of

LDL or “bad” cholesterol, while increasing the

levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol. As with

any medication, there are potential side effects

that should be discussed with your physician.

Statins not only lower cholesterol, but

also help to heal the arterial lining of blood

vessels. It is unclear as of yet if some of the

newer combination cholesterol drugs can

cause a regression of the plaque build-up in

arteries caused by cholesterol deposits.

The Center for Cardiac & Vascular Research

at Washington Adventist Hospital has been

conducting ongoing research to further evaluate

the benefit of statins in the treatment of high

cholesterol and the prevention of heart disease.

For more information, contact the Center

for Cardiac & Vascular Research at Washington

Adventist Hospital at 866-894-CCVR (2287). ■

Dr. Keith Lindgren of the Center for Cardiac and Vascular Research consults with a patientabout life-saving advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Total cholesterol levels between

200 and 239 are considered

borderline high. And a level of

240 and higher is considered

high blood cholesterol.

Managing Your Cholesterol


Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDRockville, MD

Permit No. 20647600 Carroll AvenueTakoma Park, MD 20912

Looking for a Doctor?Health Link is afree 24-hour referralservice that helps youfind the physician orspecialist that bestsuits your needs. Byusing Health Link,

you can get more information on specificphysicians, such as their medical training, office locations and more.Call us at 800-642-0101.

For a physician referral, call 800-642-0101.


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Flower Ave.Washington Adventist Hospital

Main Number — 301-891-7600Community Education — 800-542-5096Employment Center — 301-279-6135Foundation Office — 301-445-4224Center for Cardiac & Vascular

Research — 866-894-CCVR (2287)

Important Numbers

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women and heart disease saveslivesstroketeam · type plasmogen activator), ... of knee and shoulder...

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