Hillcrest COVID-19 Call Center
Hillcrest HealthCare System has an established COVID-19 Call Center. Operators are available Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer patient questions, provide support and connect them to a provider. The Call Center line is 918-574-0920.

(918) 592-0999

Blog

Yoga and Atrial Fibrillation: What’s the connection?

Leading an active, healthy lifestyle has great benefits when it comes to cardiovascular issues, but what about the practice of yoga in relation to atrial fibrillation, or AFib? We talked to Dr. David Sandler, director of electrophysiology at Oklahoma Heart Institute, to learn more.

“When it comes to yoga, the main message is that the lifestyle helps prevent heart disease, including atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Sandler. “80 percent of heart disease cases are preventable, AFib included. Yoga is basically a paradigm for healthy living. Yoga specifically has been shown to reduce a... Read More »

Oklahoma Man Experiences Great Progress Following Procedure

Randall Hargrove was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, or AFib, in mid-2017. After being referred to Oklahoma Heart Institute, his problems were soon resolved.

“I was originally seeing another physician when I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation,” said Hargrove. “Soon after, I was referred to Dr. David Sandler, electrophysiologist at Oklahoma Heart Institute, by my primary care physician. For a while, my AFib was under control while I was taking medication, but in May of 2018 I started having arrhythmic problems again. I went back in and found out that I had atypical flutter... Read More »

Oklahoma State Trooper Overcomes Atrial Fibrillation

Rick Humdy has been an Oklahoma State Trooper for 20 years. After working as a helicopter crew chief in the National Guard, Humdy applied for patrol school. When going through health screenings in 2016 for his new position, Humdy learned that he had atrial fibrillation, or AFib. Shortly after, he started seeing , director of electrophysiology at Oklahoma Heart Institute. 

“When I met Dr. Sandler in July of 2016, he told me he could fix my atrial fibrillation,” said Humdy. “I had 100 percent faith in him because he really portrayed confidence when he told me he could fix my AFib.... Read More »

Hillcrest Doctor Experiences Great Success with HMR Program

Dr. Kelly Shuler, a family medicine physician at Utica Park Clinic in Sapulpa, knew she wanted to make changes to her health but was unsure of the route she should take. It wasn’t until learning about the Health Management Resources (HMR) program offered through the Weight Loss & Wellness Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute that she felt like she had found a program that would cater to her needs. 

“I decided I needed to lose weight when I was talking to a patient about how obesity was affecting their health,” said Shuler. “The patient blatantly called me out and said ‘you talking... Read More »

Oklahoma Couple Grateful for Care Received at Oklahoma Heart Institute

Grove resident Jim Gray was 74 years old when he began to feel unlike himself while out on a walk. After a visit to the local emergency room and a consultation with a cardiologist, he learned that he would soon be having open heart surgery.

“When I was out on my daily walk, my back started hurting” said Jim. “I came inside and told my wife that I was in pain and she took me straight to the hospital in Grove. Once I was examined, the doctor told us that he was going to send me to Oklahoma Heart Institute because I could possibly need open heart surgery.”

From his first... Read More »

Local Man Expresses Appreciation of Oklahoma Heart Institute

Tulsa resident Jim Davidson was not one to visit the doctor often. After experiencing an ear ache towards the end of 2017, Davidson would learn that he would be visiting physicians much more often in the coming months.

“In late October I went to the emergency room because my ear felt clogged and while I was there they took my vitals and listened to my heart. The doctor asked if I knew that I had a heart murmur, which I did. Because I was 67 years old, he told me that I should have that examined. I scheduled an appointment with my primary care physician who performed a heart echo.... Read More »

Tulsa Man Credits Oklahoma Heart Institute for Saving His Life

Bobby Caston visited his primary care physician thinking he had a regular case of bronchitis. What he would later find out was that he needed open heart surgery and soon.

“To be honest, I was in shock at first,” said Caston. “I went to my primary care physician a few weeks before Thanksgiving because I thought I had bronchitis. They did an x-ray and noticed that something wasn’t right. They immediately sent me to Oklahoma Heart Institute where I met with Dr. Victor Cheng and Dr. Allen Cheng and three weeks later I had a quadruple bypass. Between the two doctors, I felt like I was in... Read More »

Understanding Pulmonary Hypertension

High blood pressure is a condition that affects your entire body, but did you know that there’s a type of high blood pressure that specifically impacts your lungs? According to the American Heart Association, pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the heart and lung system that delivers oxygenated blood to the heart while returning oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs.

For a better understanding of pulmonary hypertension, Dr. Mrudula Munagala, director of the Advanced Heart Failure program at Oklahoma Heart Institute, gives us an in depth look at pulmonary hypertension... Read More »

Weight Loss Testimonial - Mark F.

At 46 years old I was on a path I didn’t want to be on. I weighed 320 pounds, had high blood pressure as well as sleep apnea and couldn’t walk down the block without getting shin splints. I asked my doctor about gastric bypass surgery and he refused. He said that I am an athlete and a performer who is disciplined enough to do it the old-fashioned way with some help. That help was Health Management Resources (HMR). This program took all the guesswork out because there weren’t points or calorie counting. What makes this program stand out is the staff. The level of accountability and support... Read More »

Aging and Staying Active

National Senior Health and Fitness Day is an annual health and fitness event promoting the importance of consistent physical activity in seniors. Staying active is very important as you age in order to stay healthy and sustain your independence. Exercise Specialist Chad Stanton with the Weight Loss & Wellness Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute, shares why seniors should try to follow a steady exercise regimen.

Many people experience a change in fundamental functions as they grow older. “Loss of muscle strength, balance and flexibility are some of the biggest concerns for seniors... Read More »