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C A R D I O VA S C U L A R D I S E A S E
Cardiovascular diseases may affect the heart itself or the
blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries
leading to and from the heart. The physicians at HCNW
offer treatment for an array of cardiovascular diseases.
“When we evaluate patients, we discuss the best way
to treat them: interventional cardiology, medication or
surgery,” Dr. Cooke said. “We try to offer the best treat-
ment for each patient.”
There have recent ly been a high number of
student athletes in the news with various types of
heart disease. Occurrences like sudden death and
passing out because of heart disease have been in the
media’s attention.
“In younger patients and athletes, we see this
happen due to unrecognized heart disease,” Dr. Less-
meier added.
I N T E R V E N T I O N A L C A R D I O L O G Y
Interventional cardiology involves caring for structural
problems of the heart. Physicians insert a thin, flexible
tube, or catheter, into an artery in the patient’s leg. The
catheter is guided to the heart where it can be used to
perform a number of procedures.
“We’re lucky in that we can do procedures via a catheter
rather than having to perform surgery on every patient,”
Dr. Cooke said. “We perform services for artificial heart
support, called a tandem heart; stents; valve repairs; and
wound care through this method.”
The main advantages of using the interventional car-
diology approach are a decrease in scars and pain and
avoiding long post-operative recovery times.
“Interventional cardiology allows us to find block-
ages, use balloons and stents, and replace valves—all
via catheter,” Dr. Lessmeier said.
E L E C T R O P H Y S I O L O G Y
Electrophysiology treats heart rhythm disorders and
symptoms such as a fast or slow heart beat, passing
out, certain types of heart failure, and risk factors for
sudden death. Treatments for heart rhythm problems
include pacemakers, defibrillators, ablations and certain
medications.
“This is the newest addition to Kootenai; it complements
and completes the services here,” said Dr. Lessmeier.
This new relationship is expanding
cardiac care in the Inland Northwest
and allows residents to receive
comprehensive cardiac care closer
to home.
—Continued from page 8
10
Drs. Lessmeier, Cooke
and Fritz are just a few
of the Heart Clinics
Northwest physicians
who now treat patients
at Kootenai Health.