March is National Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month. DVT affects as many as 600,000 Americans each year and can be deadly. DVT occurs when a blood clot develops in a vein deep in the body. Deep veins are found within groups of muscles. These are different from the veins close to the skin, which are called superficial veins.
While these clots most often develop in the lower legs or thighs, they may appear in the upper body, such as the arms or other locations in the body. DVT is a risk after any major surgery, but patients who have surgery of the legs or hips are at greater... Read More »Blog
Fortunately John’s wife, Kathy, was home when he suffered a massive heart attack on December 6, 2014 while putting up the Christmas tree. “I felt really clammy,” he says of taking a break to sit down on the couch. That is the last thing he remembers before being transported in the ambulance to Oklahoma Heart Institute. “My wife called 911, performed CPR and brought me back to life.”
Cardiologist Dr. Robert Smith and the cardiac catheterization lab team where ready for John’s arrival. “By the time paramedics got me into the elevator, they said I sat up, said I didn’t feel well and went... Read More »
Heart failure chips away at quality of life slowly overtime. What may begin as fatigue or less of an appetite, becomes something more that makes it difficult to enjoy staying active with family and friends. Difficulty breathing when sleeping and waking exhausted or even a persistent cough begin to consume each day and night. Not only is it becoming more difficult to walk out to the car, it's uncomfortable - as swelling in the legs and feet make socks and shoes feel tight. It is a condition more than 6 million Americans are living with today and one of the top reasons people over... Read More »
Varicose Veins are enlarged, gnarled veins that often appear blue, flesh-colored, or red. They often appear tangled and for some, they are simply a cosmetic concern, while they can cause pain for others. Chances are you probably know someone who has dealt with varicose veins, as more than 40 million Americans have them.
Typically, varicose veins do not cause any pain. However, some symptoms include achy, heavy feeling in the legs, burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs, pain after standing for long periods of time, and itching around the veins. Another... Read More »
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that effectively treats varicose and spider veins. This treatment is often performed to treat small varicose veins. It involves injecting a solution directly into the vein which causes the vein to scar up and collapse, allowing blood to be rerouted through the healthier veins in the body. The collapsed vein eventually fades within a few weeks, although it may take up to a month to fully fade. Some patients may require several sclerotherapy treatments.
The treatment is done primarily for cosmetic purposes as it improves the appearance of spider and... Read More »
“I would come home and cry at the end of the day,” shares Coral Fairress, 44. Over the course of seven years, throbbing leg pain left Coral exhausted and nearly unable to move after standing for eight hours or longer working as a bartender. Although a specialist in Oklahoma City discovered five blood clots in her leg, the cause remained uncertain and was thought to be the result of taking birth control after the age of 35. However, the pain continued and Coral felt that wasn’t the answer to her problems with her leg pain and blood clots. Coral’s primary health care provider, Utica Park... Read More »
With more than 14 regional clinics throughout Northeastern Oklahoma, Oklahoma Heart Institute offers patients and communities access to top quality providers close to their own home. Today, we are going inside one of those clinics - Claremore - to introduce you to the people who are changing our patients' lives. From Carol Looper, LPN who began her nursing career at the age of 40 inspired by the care her father received to scheduler Tammy Gleason, who has worked in healthcare 14 years and still finds every aspect of cardiology fascinating, those who work in our regional clinics not only... Read More »
“I can’t believe I’m having more heartburn,” I said to my wife as she lay beside me in bed. “I’m going to go downstairs for a bit and take some Tums.” Here it was flaring up again I thought. Just like last weekend when we walked five blocks to the drugstore and picked up all sorts of “remedies” - antacids, Pepto-Bismol and whatever else, thinking it would give me some relief.
“Are you going be okay?” she asked.
“Sure, no problem," I replied, but in actuality, I was feeling a bit nauseous. “I’m just going to go downstairs and watch a little bit of TV. It helps to sit up while... Read More »
Vein specialist Eugene Ichinose, M.D., is a firm believer in compression socks – not only for patients but also for himself.
He once stood on a chair during a presentation to model the compression socks he wears to help improve circulation as he stands throughout day. Compression socks work by promoting improved blood flow in your legs. The compression of the socks gently pushes blood flow up the leg, helping to prevent swelling and even blood clots. If you have noticed your legs swelling or the appearance of varicose veins, for example, you may wonder if compression socks would be... Read More »
Holiday tunes on the radio, strings of lights brightening the neighborhood and a scent of pine and cinnamon transport us to one of the “most wonderful times of the year.” The holidays are the time we see more evergreen, spiced lattes and booked nights on the calendar. They are also the time of the year health care providers see more people suffering from what is now known as “holiday heart syndrome” as more patients present to the hospital with episodes of atrial fibrillation (AFib). For those familiar with the irregular heartbeat or quivering, and even those who have never felt their... Read More »