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EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Winter 2014
SPECIAL ISSUE
STATE
O F T HE
HE AR T
ENTER
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evanhospital.com
IN THIS ISSUE
IN
PERSPECTIVE
Michael N. O’Keefe
President and CEO
every day WINTER 2014
PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT....10
Petra Lynch, MD, delivers
quality heart care
UNDER OUR ROOF........... 6
Evangelical is at the heart of leading cardiac care.
Since the opening of our cardiovascular
wing in the Donehower-Eisenhauer Pavilion
in the summer of 2012, we’ve completed
nearly 900 elective and emergency heart
catheterizations. Our cardiac rehabilitation
program has grown so much that the
treadmills are humming from early morning
into the evening. In addition, we’ve provided
emotional and educational support to patients
and their families on stress management,
dietary changes, smoking cessation, and
exercise programs that contribute to a
healthier lifestyle.
The reality is expert cardiac care is available
at your community hospital. Our cardiac care
team is ready 24/7, 365 days of the year, our
facilities are well-designed for efficiency of
care, and our technology is state of the art.
The quality of care our patients receive and
the successful outcomes they experience are
entirely the result of our physicians and staff at
Evangelical — their commitment to exceptional,
compassionate care is beyond measure.
It’s not hard to speak highly of Evangelical’s
cardiac program as it continues to have
positive outcomes and is continually changing
lives. Just ask the patients who have found
themselves needing the services and who are
getting their second chance at life.
2
DON’T MISS A BEAT............ 4
Four tips to build a stronger heart
Technologically advanced
cardiovascular care at Evangelical
CALENDAR.......................... 11
Classes and events
YOUR BEST INTEREST
AT HEART................................. 8
Learning how heart disease affects
women differently saves lives
Under Pressure
WHAT YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS MEAN
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood and oxygen
through the body. The first number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart
beats. The second number (diastolic) is the pressure when your heart rests
between beats. Try to stay in the “ideal” range:
Ideal: less than 120/80
Borderline: 120/80 to 139/89
High: 140/90 or higher
Using less salt, drinking less alcohol, losing weight, and exercising will help
lower blood pressure. Talk to your family physician about which approaches
will work best for you. Need a doctor? Call 877-989-EVAN.
HEALTHY YOU
Commitment to Care
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ACCREDITED
AS A PRIMARY STROKE CENTER
Each year, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke, making it the
nation’s fourth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in
the United States. The initial care received by a patient in the early stages
of stroke determines the extent to which the resulting damage will
affect the rest of the patient’s life.
As a Primary Stroke Center accredited by DNV Healthcare Inc.,
Evangelical offers 24/7 multidisciplinary care, including emergency
medicine, laboratory, radiology, neurosurgery consultation,
and rehabilitation.
Because initial care is so important for treating strokes, recognizing
when you or someone you know is having a stroke can make a big
difference. Signs to look for include face drooping, arm weakness,
and speech difficulty. Call 911 immediately if you suspect someone
is experiencing a stroke.
Get Rid of Vein Pain
THE VEIN CENTER AT EVANGELICAL PROVIDES QUALITY CARE FOR VENOUS DISORDERS
Whether you need treatment for unsightly varicose
veins, blood clotting issues, or vein inflammation, The
Vein Center at Evangelical Community Hospital can
provide you with minimally invasive, comprehensive
treatment. The Vein Center’s program treats more
vein-related conditions than any other facility in the
region, which gives Evangelical’s specialists a wealth
of experience.
The Vein Center’s experienced staff is prepared to
treat most common vein-related disorders, including:
Varicose veins — Caused by weakened valves, this
condition of dilated veins that bulge under the skin
can be severe enough to affect someone’s ability to
get through their day.
Spider veins — Same cause as varicose veins; however,
they are more superficial and cosmetic.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — Caused by a blood clot
in a deep vein, this condition can become life threatening
if the clot dislodges and travels to other parts of the body.
Chronic venous insufficiency — Sometimes caused
by DVT, this condition occurs when the veins can’t pump
enough blood back to the heart.
Phlebitis — Caused by vein inflammation, this condition
is mostly cosmetic.
LEARN MORE
For more information, call The Vein Center
at 570-522-4413.
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL evanhospital.com 3
FEATURE
heart health
Don’t Miss a
BEAT
USE THESE 4 TIPS
TO BUILD A STRONGER
HEART MUSCLE
3. MANAGE
YOUR MEALS
W
hile many a poet has likened a heartbeat to the rhythm of love,
this steady lub-dub is actually the sound of four heart valves
closing in perfect syncopation. To keep the beat strong and
healthy, here are four tips.
2. EXERCISE
YOUR OPTIONS
1. QUIT IT
If you smoke, stop! Chemicals in tobacco can cause
narrowing of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, which
can lead to a heart attack. Also, carbon monoxide in
cigarette smoke decreases blood oxygen and that makes
the heart work harder. Although electronic cigarettes are
advertised as a “safe alternative,” there is doubt about the
faux-smokes’ safety. A healthier solution is Evangelical
Community Hospital’s smoking cessation course called
QuitSmart, with one-on-one counseling sessions.
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Thirty minutes of daily, moderate
physical activity helps you maintain
a healthy weight, blood pressure,
and cholesterol level—all effective
ways to reduce your risk for heart
disease. To stick with your exercise
goals, it’s a good idea to change
your workouts every two weeks
or so. Begin by investigating the
Evangelical Fitness Center’s wide
range of classes, from ab workouts
to Zumba, an aerobic dance class
with a South American beat.
Managing what you
eat and how much
you eat helps reduce
the risk for high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity—all
conditions that can trigger or worsen
heart disease. One heart-healthy
diet, cited by the American Heart
Association for its cardiovascular
benefits, is the Dietary Approaches
to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating
plan, which emphasizes low-salt,
high-fiber, and fat-free or low-fat
foods. For those who need support,
Evangelical’s Nutrition Counseling
Services pairs you up with a
Registered Dietitian for one-on-one
guidance. In addition, Evangelical
offers the Highmark “Drop 10-in-10”
program, which helps patients lose
10 pounds in 10 weeks through
optimal nutrition, regular exercise,
and behavioral changes.
PUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST
1
If I have high blood pressure, I will:
A) Always feel fatigued.
B) Possibly never feel a thing.
C) Have sharp chest pains.
2
Heart disease kills:
A) More men than women.
B) More women than men.
4. KNOW YOUR RISKS
Despite your best efforts, heart
disease can still become an issue,
and routine health screenings help
catch potential problems at their
earliest and most treatable stage.
Evangelical offers an array of heart
health screenings, including tests for:
● Blood pressure level
● Blood sugar level
● Blood chemistry and metabolism
● Heart health
● Vascular health
Aggressive risk factor modifications
are now available to prevent or
resolve heart disease, including new
FDA-approved prescription drugs
and non-invasive surgical procedures
to treat cardiac and vascular diseases.
However, to benefit from these
medications and treatments, your
doctor has to know your numbers.
So schedule those screenings,
discuss proactive options with your
healthcare team, and keep your heart
beating strong.
TAKE IT TO HEART
For more information about
heart health screenings, call
570-768-3200.
C) Both genders equally.
3
If you quit smoking cigarettes today:
A) It takes about one year to realize health benefits.
B) It takes 20 minutes to benefit.
C) You can never reverse damage, but you can
prevent future damage.
4
Which of the following are symptoms
of heart attack?
A) Nausea
B) Back pain
C) Chest pain
D) All of the above
5
People who maintain an active lifestyle
versus those who are sedentary can
potentially lower the risk of developing
heart disease by:
A) 10 percent.
B) 45 percent.
C) Not at all if still overweight.
ANSWERS ON BACK PAGE
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL evanhospital.com 5
FEATURE
WHAT’S Under
cutting-edge care
The AngioJet system is
used by the Evangelical
cardiovascular team to
remove blood clots from
coronary arteries. The
equipment creates a vacuum
that loosens the clot and
then pulls it through a
catheter for removal from the
body. Timothy Evans, RCIS,
stands with the AngioJet
and the catheters that
save lives under the
team’s direction.

Our
EVANGELICAL’S TEAM OF
HIGHLY TRAINED SPECIALISTS
DELIVERS LEADING-EDGE
CARDIOVASCULAR CARE TO
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
E
vangelical Community Hospital may boast
an intimate, small-town feel, but our big-city
approach to cardiovascular care offers patients
the same high-end facilities, state-of-the-art technology,
and sophisticated teamwork that is offered at many larger
institutions. We continue to keep pace with rapidly
evolving changes in medical technology that characterize
leading-edge facilities, while never losing the personal
touch that’s so important to our patients. Here is what’s
under our roof:
OUR FACILITIES
● Two catheterization labs are used for diagnostic
and interventional cardiology procedures, such as
angioplasty, which treats coronary artery blockages
with a tiny balloon inserted into the blood vessel.
● A control room connected to the cath labs offers a full
view of what is happening inside, including real-time
access to images of the patient’s heart.
● A seven-bed procedure care unit (PCU) includes a
Spacelabs Healthcare monitoring system to assess heart
rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation as patients recover.
● A cardiac rehabilitation unit helps patients get stronger, quit smoking, eat better, lose weight, and lower blood
pressure and cholesterol. The rehab gym has the latest in
exercise equipment, including recumbent exercise bikes
and steppers, treadmills, and rowing machines.
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Roof
OUR TECHNOLOGY
Ashley Olley, BS, RCIS, Cardiac
● Patient monitoring systems synchronize
real-time patient data, such as images, oxygen
levels, blood flow, and heart rhythm, to help the
team of specialists react seamlessly and effectively
during catheterization procedures.
● An advanced contrast injection system
provides better diagnostic results. This type of
system has been used to diagnose and treat more
than 15 million patients in 75 countries.
● An AngioJet system restores blood flow to coronary
arteries and veins by removing blood clots.
● An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) increases
blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body to
address situations such as heart failure; unstable,
resistant angina; valve disease; and shock caused by
cardiac arrest, among others.
● Echo/stress testing equipment uses 3-D technology
that provides unique diagnostic information using
sound waves on hearts at work and at rest. Staff
members talk patients through what they are seeing
as they analyze their heart activity during these
procedures. For patients who cannot perform a
physical stress test, chemical stress testing can be
done through the use of medications.
● A Cardiac Science monitoring system for cardiac
rehab patients includes advanced diagnostic and
therapeutic cardiac devices, such as vital signs
monitors, telemetry equipment, and cardiac
monitoring systems, to aid in furthering the
progress for the patient as well as to collect data
for the physicians and staff charged with their care.
DID YOU KNOW?
Someone in the U.S.
has a heart attack every
34 seconds.
Cath Technologist at Evangelical,
points to an image created by the
Volcano Intravascular Ultrasound
Catheter. Evangelical uses the
GE MacLab patient monitoring
system to visually identify
blockages and get an inside
view of a patient’s artery. The
system combines information
technology data integration with
high resolution visual systems
to aid the cardiovascular team in
identifying and clearing blockages
while capturing important information
for the treatment of the patient.
OUR TEAM
Evangelical’s expert team of cardiovascular nurses,
technologists, and rehabilitation specialists bring over
four decades of combined experience to their patients.
The team works hand-in-hand with board-certified
interventional cardiologists to perform diagnostic and
interventional catheterization procedures. With clinical
expertise and state-of-the-art cardiac care combined with
compassion and understanding, patients have access to
expert care, close to home.
KNOW YOUR HEART
To assess your heart health risks, visit evanhospital.com.
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL evanhospital.com 7
PATIENT-CENTERED CARE
HEART
Your Best Interest at
LEARNING HOW HEART DISEASE AFFECTS
WOMEN DIFFERENTLY SAVES LIVES
H
eart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in
the United States, causing 1 in 3 women’s
deaths each year. That makes the disease
more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
At Evangelical Community Hospital, we take a
proactive team approach to lower those statistics.
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program provides
education, exercise training, and psychosocial support
to help patients better manage heart disease and its
consequences. One-on-one consultations with cardiac
experts help a woman meet her distinct heart-health
needs, often including preventative interventions before
a problem occurs, such as identifying and treating a
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blockage before it leads to a heart
attack. Our wellness programs gently
guide you toward healthier lifestyle
choices, such as helping you adopt
a heart-healthy diet so you feel better
and enjoy a longer life.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
A woman’s heart attack symptoms
are often different than a man’s,
which can make it challenging to
recognize the signs. It’s imperative
that women and their family
members recognize the following
signs of heart attack specific
to women:
● Constant or intermittent pressure,
squeezing, fullness, or pain in
the chest.
● Pain or discomfort in one or
both arms, the back, neck, jaw,
or stomach.
● Shortness of breath that occurs
with or without chest discomfort.
● A cold sweat, nausea/vomiting,
or lightheadedness.
“Do the cardiac
rehab. Take
advantage
of all the
opportunities
the staff at
Evangelical give
to you. Keep on
living your life.”
A NUMBERS GAME
Women can work toward healthy
numbers and reduce risk factors
associated with heart disease.
Blood pressure:
The goal for both
women and men
is 120/80 or lower.
Cholesterol: There are
three values to know.
Unique to women,
healthy values mean an
HDL (good cholesterol)
of greater than 50mg/dL, and for
the two bad cholesterols, less than
100 mg/dL for LDL, and less than
150mg/dL for triglycerides.
Physical Activity:
Women and men
should aim for at least
30 minutes of exercise
a day, five times a week.
Weight: A Body Mass Index (BMI)
of 25 or higher is associated with
higher blood pressure and an
increased risk of heart
disease, although a
woman’s ideal weight is
best established one-onone with her physician.
Cigarettes: For everyone,
the target is zero.
Perhaps the most
important numbers are the number
of screenings your doctor wants
you to have and how often. Every
woman needs to set personalized
goals with her doctor, discuss risk
factors, and empower herself with
the knowledge that ultimately
protects her heart’s health.
— Margaret Moyer
MARGARET MOYER, 86, LAURELTON
A mother of five sons, avid gardener, and active walker, she knew something
was wrong when she had chest pain that would come on even when she was
lying down and at rest. After consulting with her family physician and the
cardiovascular team at Evangelical, she underwent a heart catheterization
that required five stents. The surgery and rehabilitation allowed her to travel
to Guatemala four months later.
“I can’t say enough about the heart
care at Evangelical. Dr. Lynch is my
angel and I wouldn’t want anyone
else to take care of me and my heart.”
—Kristy Watson
KRISTY WATSON, 43,
Mc EWENSVILLE
While walking her dog with her husband,
her arms went numb and she got a sharp
pain in her jaw. Later that evening she got
a strong pain in her shoulders, broke out in
a sweat, and felt nauseous. Two days later
she was in Evangelical’s catheterization lab
receiving a double-stent in an artery that
was 98 percent blocked. She missed death
by an hour. Since her heart attack, she has
changed her diet and her attitude toward
exercise, and she hasn’t touched a cigarette
or caffeine.
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL evanhospital.com 9
PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT
ON
YOUR SIDE
PETRA LYNCH, MD, DELIVERS
QUALITY HEART CARE
Dr. Petra Lynch is a board-certified, Geisinger
interventional cardiologist and vital member of the
Evangelical Community Hospital cardiovascular care
team. Her clinical practice includes the diagnosis
and treatment of coronary artery disease. Since
her arrival at Evangelical in August 2012, she has
performed over 608 procedures.
Having received her medical degree from
Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg, Dr. Lynch
completed her residency and fellowship training
at the SUNY at Buffalo Graduate Medical/Dental
Education Consortium Program. She served
as a research assistant at the Department of
Cardiothoracic Surgery at Beth Israel Medical
Center in New York and she completed her
Experimental Doctoral Thesis at the Department
of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University
of Freiburg.
● Why Dr. Lynch
her job:
“During my training, I realized the significant impact
that interventional cardiology has on a patient’s quality
of life and survival,” says Dr. Lynch. “With heart disease
being the No. 1 killer of people in the United States,
I wanted to be able to save lives through modern
procedures, with minimal pain and recovery for the
patient. Interventional catheterizations accomplish
that goal.”
● Dr. Lynch’s heart-healthy advice:
“Eat to live, don’t live to eat.”
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every day WINTER 2014
LEARN MORE
To view an
online video of
a heart health
presentation by Dr. Lynch,
visit evanhospital.com, click
on Our Services, then Heart
Care Services.
● On call 24/7:
Dr. Lynch and the cardiovascular
team are on call for emergency
procedures 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, 365 days a year. In
addition to emergency heart
treatments, the team performs
scheduled interventional/
preventative catheterizations
throughout the week.
“Eat healthy, exercise,
and go to your doctor.”
—Petra Lynch, MD
CALENDAR
HEART HEALTH EVENTS:
Looking for ways to put your heart health first?
We’ve got tools to help you get started.
Heart Screen
DATE Friday, February 14
TIME 7–10 am
LOCATION Community Health and Wellness Center,
Lewisburg
FEE FREE!
Heart Health Panel Discussion
DATE Thursday, February 27
TIME 5:30 pm FREE meal; Talk at 6:30 pm
LOCATION Evangelical Community Hospital, Apple
Conference Rooms at the rear of the Dining Room
FEE FREE!
The panel of experts includes: Petra Lynch, MD,
Geisinger Interventional Cardiologist; Todd Stefan, MD,
FACS, RPVI, Medical Director, Peripheral Vascular Lab;
Dennis Neamand, BS, RCIS, Director of Catheterization
Services; Lisa Brinckman, RN, Director of Nursing,
Cardiovascular Services; and Vicki Krebs, RN,
Coordinator of Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Daily Steps to Less Stress
DATE Thursdays, April 3–April 24
TIME 6–7:30 pm
LOCATION Community Health and Wellness Center, Lewisburg
FEE $65 (free for current Highmark-insured participants)
This “Wellness Where You Live” Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield lifestyle
improvement program will help you manage everyday stress through
practical relaxation techniques and innovative stress management strategies.
From coping skills, to visualization, to progressive muscle relaxation, and
humor therapy, you’ll acquire effective tools to deal with stress.
Heartsaver CPR
DATE Tuesday, March 11
TIME 8:30 am–12:30 pm
LOCATION Community Health and Wellness Center,
Lewisburg
FEE $40
This course is for the lay person who wants to learn
how to give CPR to an adult, child, and infant; learn
how to use an AED; learn how to assess and phone your
emergency response number (or 911); and learn how to
help a choking adult, child, or infant.
Comprehensive Blood Screen
DATE Tuesday, March 18
TIME 7–10 am
LOCATION Sunbury YMCA
FEE $40
Includes a lipid panel for HDL, LDL, total cholesterol,
and triglycerides; a complete blood count; and CMP to
assess blood sugar, electrolytes, calcium, protein, liver
enzymes, and more.
JOIN US
For more information or to register for all health screenings,
seminars, and classes, call Evangelical Community Health and
Wellness at 570-768-3200.
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL evanhospital.com 11
Newly insured? Find a doctor.
CALL TOLL FREE
877-989-EVAN
With Evangelical Community Hospital’s Find
a Doctor Line, you speak with a real person
who can match your health needs and new
insurance plan with the care that’s right for you.
No automated messages or menus –
just real compassion and real answers.
Accepting most insurances, including GHP
PUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST—ANSWERS
QUESTIONS FOUND ON PAGE 5
1
2
B) Possibly never feel a thing.
High blood pressure, which
increases risk for heart
disease, is called the “silent
killer” because it often has
no symptoms. A simple test
can measure blood pressure.
When left untreated, high
blood pressure can cause
heart attack, stroke, kidney
damage, and other serious
health problems.
C) Both genders equally.
Heart disease is the No. 1
cause of death of both
men and women in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
report that heart disease
is responsible for 1 in every
4 male and female deaths in
the United States.
3
B) It takes 20 minutes
to benefit.
If you smoke, you increase
the risk of developing heart
disease by 24 percent.
However, quitting brings
these near-immediate
benefits:
� 20 minutes after quitting,
your heart rate drops to a
normal level.
� 12 hours after quitting, the
carbon monoxide level in
your blood drops to normal.
�
1 year after quitting, your
added risk of coronary
heart disease is half that
of a smoker’s.
4
D) All of the above
The most common sign of a
heart attack is chest pain or
discomfort, but often there
are other symptoms that may
include shortness of breath,
nausea, sweating, feeling
lightheaded, and/or pain or
discomfort in other parts of the
upper body, such as the back,
stomach, neck, or jaw.
5
B) 45 percent.
The American Heart Association
recommends moderatelyintense exercise for at least
30 minutes on most days of
the week.
ECH-014