Cardiology

Heart rhythm disorder, also known as arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat, happens when your heart doesn’t beat in a normal, consistent pattern. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and can lead to can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

Treatment for heart rhythm disorders may include blood-thinning medications (to avoid blood clots), cardiac ablation, an implanted pacemaker, or the WATCHMAN^TM (to reduce stroke risk). Most procedures are performed in the electrophysiology (EP) lab by specialists who are highly-trained and board-certified in the field of electrophysiology. 

High blood pressure is also called hypertension. It can be caused by genetic and lifestyle factors and contributes to a range of cardiovascular diseases. Managing high blood pressure is important to your heart and overall health. Lower blood pressure can be achieved through better nutrition, medication and exercise. If your primary care provider or cardiologist diagnoses you with high blood pressure, you may be referred to the CMC Wellness Center or Cholesterol Management Center for further evaluation, treatment and management. 

Cholesterol is a natural, fat-like substance inside your cells. Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors (such as smoking and obesity) can lead to high cholesterol, which can cause heart disease and stroke. 

Nutrition, medication, and exercise can all help lower your cholesterol. The Cholesterol Management Center at the New England Heart & Vascular Institute is the first clinic of its kind in New Hampshire dedicated to helping people of all ages reduce their cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Meet the Cholesterol Management Team.

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops because of a problem with the electrical signals that regulate the heart beat. It is often fatal if not treated immediately with CPR, AED, and rapid transport to the hospital. Cardiac arrest seldom has warning symptoms and is usually caused by a preexisting heart condition that a patient may or not be aware of. 

Treatment and recovery depend on the cause and circumstances of the cardiac arrest. Doctors will likely order imaging and/or blood tests to examine the heart and pinpoint a cause. Treatment could include a cardiac catheterization procedure to open up blocked arteries or placement of an implantable defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker to help sense and correct abnormal heartbeats. 

About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. A heart attack happens when there is significant blockage in one of the arteries to the heart. When blood flow is severely reduced or cut off, the artery becomes weak and damaged, leading to a heart attack. The most common cause of a heart attack is heart disease (also called coronary artery disease).
 
If you believe you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away and do not drive yourself to the emergency room. 

Once at the hospital, doctors will likely order testing to see how your heart is performing and to detect a blockage. Immediate treatment may include a cardiac catheterization procedure to place a stent or balloon to open up blocked arteries or cardiac bypass surgery. After this initial treatment, your long term recovery may include medication management and rehabilitation to help you recover from this major medical event and manage your risk factors.
 

Heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, refers to the buildup of plaque or blockages in the coronary arteries. These blockages are the result of a disease process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which refers to the build-up of fatty materials along the inner arterial walls.

Heart disease reduces the blood supply –and, in turn, oxygen – to the heart muscle.  This can cause angina (chest pain or discomfort) and/or a heart attack (damage to the heart muscle).

Both lifestyle behaviors and certain risk factors can contribute to heart disease. The experts at The Cholesterol Management Center specialize in addressing the risk factors that cause heart disease.
 

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure (CHF) or advanced congestive heart failure, is a condition in which weakened or stiff heart muscles reduce the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood—and the oxygen and nutrients in that blood—to the rest of the body. CHF can be caused by a number of things including:
 

• Cardiomyopathy (weak or deteriorated heart muscle)
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure

Heart failure symptoms vary widely and include shortness of breath, fluid buildup and weight gain, irregular heartbeat, dizziness and fatigue. Advanced stages of heart failure can make it hard to do everyday tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or basic chores. CMC’s Heart Failure Clinic offers advanced treatment and support for patients with heart failure, including CardioMEMS^TM for heart failure management. This clinic is staffed by cardiologists and nurses who are certified in heart failure. 

Valve disease most often occurs in two of the four valves of the heart—the mitral valve or the aortic valve, both on the left side. There are two common types of valve disease, stenosis and insufficiency. Stenosis is the narrowing of the valve, limiting blood flow, while insufficiency means the valve doesn’t close tightly, allowing blood to backflow. This is sometimes called leakage or regurgitation. 

Our Heart Valve Clinic offers medication treatment and minimally invasive options for valve disease, including the pioneering TAVR and MitraClip^® procedures. Our cardiothoracic surgeons are also highly experienced in surgical repair and replacement of diseased valves.

Having a heart attack or going through a heart procedure is a major disruption to your life and routine. You likely have many questions about your lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise needs and restrictions. 

The Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Wellness Program at CMC is a three-part program designed to answer your questions, provide support and help you feel better as you make healthy life choices and strengthen your heart.