What is structural heart?

Structural heart disease is an umbrella term that covers vascular defects of the heart. Structural heart procedures include heart valve repair and replacement that can be performed through small tubes known as catheters. 

Some heart conditions that fall under structural heart disease include: 

• Mitral valve regurgitation -- A condition in which one of the valves of the heart, the mitral valve,  allows blood to leak backward into the heart. 

• Aortic valve stenosis -- A valve in the heart, the aortic valve, that has narrowed and fails to open properly. 

• Atrial Fibrillation -- A quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

What are my treatment options?

At St. Charles, our nationally-recognized structural heart team perform a number of cutting-edge, minimally invasive heart valve procedures, including: 

• TAVR (Transcathether Aortic Valve Replacement)

• MitraClip (Transcathether Mitral Valve Repair)

• WATCHMAN device

What can I expect if I’m referred to the structural heart team at St. Charles?

The St. Charles Structural Heart team is a multidisciplinary team of providers that include an interventional cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, structural heart PA, and additional clinical stuff. This coordinated team of providers work together to ensure your cardiovascular care is streamlined and comprehensive. 

Once you are referred to the St. Charles Structural Heart team by your cardiologist, our team works together to perform diagnostic and pre-procedure testing. We then collaborate on a multidisciplinary review of your case to determine the best course of action for your health and well-being. 

Following your procedure, your structural heart team at St. Charles keeps close tabs on your recovery. With follow-up appointments scheduled at 10 days, one month and one year, it is our goal is to improve your heart’s function while minimizing your symptoms and avoiding future complications.

EKGs help diagnose heart problems at St. Charles Bend

Physicians rely on a variety of medical test options to help them accurately diagnose and monitor heart conditions. One of the more fundamental cardiac tests available in determining if someone has developed heart disease is an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). At the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center in Central Oregon our doctors use EKGs to clarify if patients may be experiencing heart attack, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) or coronary artery disease.

An EKG is a safe, painless and routine procedure. While electrodes attached to your chest may feel cold, there is no electricity being sent through your body. The most common test is a standard, or resting, EKG that measures the heart’s electrical activity while you lie down or are semi-reclined. Stress tests that involve exercise — often conducted on a treadmill but sometimes induced by medicine that simulates exercise — can give physicians a better assessment of how your heart is affected by exercise. And, in some cases, cardiologists might want to conduct a 24-hour EKG through a Holter monitor — a battery powered heart rate monitoring device that records your EKG on a continuous basis, most often to determine if you have an arrhythmia.

Electrocardiogram excellence in Central Oregon

In many cases, your primary care physician will be the one initially ordering an EKG, especially if you have chest pains or feel palpitations. If you are scheduled for surgery, your doctor may order an EKG to get a current gauge on your heart status. Other doctors who order the test include ER doctors, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists and thoracic surgeons. Cardiologists normally provide final interpretation of test results.

The test itself cannot detect future heart issues that may arise, but EKGs provide doctors with two measurements in assessing a heart’s health: one that defines how long it takes an electrical wave to pass through the heart, and a second that measures the electrical activity amount passing through the heart to determine if it may be working too hard or is enlarged. Through EKG, doctors are looking to conclude:

• If your heart is beating too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or irregularly (arrhythmias)
• Whether your heart may be enlarged or thickened (cardiomyopathy)
• If there is any damage to your heart due to heart attack, coronary artery disease or congenital heart defects
• What size your heart chambers are and how they are positioned
• How well devices used to control your heartbeat, or medicines you take, are working
• Whether you may have valve disease or pericarditis

Talk with your doctor about why you might need an EKG

The good news is that if you have to undergo an EKG, you are likely to know the results the same day it is performed, and whether you may need to arrange other tests or procedures. If you want to learn more about the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center in Bend or need to schedule an appointment, please call us today at 541-388-4333.

EKG services are just one of many ways that cardiologists and other specialists at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center effectively diagnose and treat heart problems in Central Oregon.

Are you at risk for a heart attack?

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 735,000 Americans will have a heart attack this year, of which, approximately 14% will die. A heart attack can occur when a coronary artery becomes blocked with plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, calcium deposits and scar tissue. If plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms at the site of the rupture. If the clot that forms is large enough, the flow of blood in the coronary artery becomes blocked and a heart attack occurs. Factors that can increase your risk of having a heart attack include:

• Having high blood pressure, cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Smoking or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke
• Getting older
• Having a family history of heart attack
• Being obese or lack of physical activity
• Having diabetes

Take advantage of early detection with a calcium test at St. Charles Health System

An effective screening that helps determine if you’re at risk for a heart attack is a calcium test. During a calcium test, also known as a coronary calcium screening, electrodes are attached to your chest from an EKG machine and you lie on a table that slides into a CT scanner. As the test begins you hold your breath for 10-20 seconds while the CT scanner takes images of your heart. This painless screening checks for calcium deposits in your arteries, also known as coronary artery calcification, which is both a warning sign of coronary artery disease and one of the leading causes of a heart attack.

If you’re 50 or older with risk factors for a heart attack or if you’re younger than 50 but have a family history of heart attack, it’s important to consider having a calcium test at St. Charles Health System. A calcium test can detect coronary artery calcification early while there is still time to reduce your risk of having a heart attack by adjusting your diet, increasing physical activity or taking medications to manage other heart attack risk factors you may have.

For more information about a calcium test or to schedule your screening, call CORA at 541-382-9383 today.

The cardiovascular specialists at St. Charles Health System provide calcium tests in Bend, OR.

Understanding cholesterol management 

You may be wondering, “What is cholesterol, anyway? Why is it so bad for me?” The truth is that we all need some cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in our cells. It’s used by our bodies to make hormones, vitamin D, cell membranes and chemicals that aid our digestion. Our bodies produce cholesterol naturally, but it can also be found in many foods.

Cholesterol travels throughout the body via the bloodstream. To do this, it has to be carried by a small particle called a lipoprotein. There are two kinds of lipoproteins: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Both are important to your health.

The problem with high cholesterol

Cholesterol only becomes a problem if we have too much of it in our blood. When there are high levels of LDL cholesterol, sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, it can stick to the inside walls of the arteries. Once there, it acts like glue for other substances in the blood such as fat and calcium. This causes a waxy build up called plaque. This build up may harden and make the arteries narrower, making it difficult for oxygen-rich blood to move through freely. When that happens, coronary heart disease occurs. This may result in arrhythmias, angina and even heart attacks.

The build up of plaque takes several years, so there is time to stop or even reverse the problem. Think of plaque as concrete, and LDL cholesterol as the cement that holds it together. If your LDL stays at a healthy level, then plaque can’t form as easily. One key to this is to eat a low-cholesterol diet with plenty of veggies and fruits. Another essential element is HDL cholesterol, sometimes called “good” cholesterol. Its job is to carry cholesterol back to your liver where it can be removed from the body. HDL levels can be boosted by getting regular exercise and eating a moderate amount of healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, almonds and salmon, among others.

Helping you lower cholesterol — the healthy way

Sometimes, lowering your cholesterol is easier said than done. That’s why the nationally recognized cardiovascular team at St. Charles Health System is prepared to support you. There are many ways to lower your cholesterol, and our expert cardiologists will help you find the combination that works best for you. This may include:

• Nutritional counseling
• Smoking cessation assistance
• Medications to help support your healthy lifestyle
• Regular follow-up appointments to track your progress

Call the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center at 541-388-4333 today to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, and ask which type of cholesterol management program may be best for you.

St. Charles Health System offers comprehensive options for cholesterol management in Central Oregon.

Cardiac rehabilitation at St. Charles Bend

St. Charles cardiac rehabilitation program — also called cardiac rehab — helps patients who have had a heart attack, heart surgery or other cardiac event recover and reduce their risk of further heart problems. 

Cardiac rehabilitation includes a combination of exercise, education and support. 

Who is eligible for cardiac rehabilitation?

We serve individuals who have experienced:

• Heart surgery
• Heart attack
• Stent
• Angioplasty
• Other cardiac events

Cardiac rehab patients receive:

• Help to understand and manage their heart disease process and enhance communication with their health care providers.
• Tools they need to recondition muscles to build fitness and improve endurance.
• Education in a variety of areas including nutrition, medication and stress reduction.

Our staff includes:

• Cardiologists
• Exercise Specialists
• Dietitians
• Social Services
• Senior Services

St. Charles can help your arrhythmia

When the electrical impulses that signal your heart to pump evenly fail to produce consistency, it causes an arrhythmia. A heart arrhythmia is a situation where your heart beats too quickly or unevenly to achieve an even, healthy tempo. Arrhythmias can range from insignificant to life-threatening. Blood does not get delivered throughout your body correctly when your heart is beating at an unpredictable rhythm. If the problem is serious enough, the lungs, brain and all other organs could suffer.

Do I have a heart arrhythmia?

Most of us have felt our heart beat very quickly or felt a “fluttering” in our chest, and these can be very normal reactions to outside stimulus. They can also be the signs of a heart arrhythmia. Other symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting or near-fainting spells
• Rapid or pounding heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

At St. Charles, the simplest way to determine if you have a heart arrhythmia is electrocardiography (ECG or EKG). It’s a painless, noninvasive procedure that records the heart’s electrical activity and can diagnose arrhythmias.

What are my treatment options for arrhythmia?

Most often, arrhythmias are determined harmless and left untreated. If your doctor thinks your situation might require treatment, there are a number of options available at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center. These can include:

• Medications for arrhythmia
• Ablation, which is a noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure that can treat rapid heartbeats by neutralizing the heart muscle cells that are causing the extra impulses
• Devices such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or a pacemaker

If you think you may be suffering from an arrhythmia, please consult your primary care doctor right away.

In Central Oregon, the specialists at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center strive to help people with heart arrhythmias lead normal, healthy and happy lives.

Do you experience bone and joint pain?

Joint, back or spine, and other types of musculoskeletal or orthopedic pain are common, affecting millions of Americans each year. Orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions are typically caused by the aging process, normal wear and tear or overuse, sports injuries, trauma and disease. The pain that results from a joint, bone or muscle condition often limits the amount or type of activity a person can perform — even sitting or lying down can be painful or uncomfortable. If you currently experience musculoskeletal or orthopedic pain, the physical therapists at St. Charles Physical Therapy may be able to help.

Find orthopedic treatment at St. Charles Physical Therapy

The orthopedic specialists and physical therapists at St. Charles Physical Therapy provide experienced, compassionate care that focuses on relieving your pain, restoring your mobility and returning you to the active, pain-free lifestyle you once enjoyed. Our expert staff will help you regain the skills that allow you to move better, improve your wellness and prevent further injury, as well as increase your flexibility, strength and independence. Our musculoskeletal and orthopedic treatments can positively improve a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including: 

• Back and neck pain
• Work-related injuries
• Sports injuries
• Osteoporosis
• Orthopedic injuries
• And other bone or muscle conditions

To learn more about our physical therapy expertise and services, view our Frequently Asked Questions or call 541-706-5940 today to speak to a physical therapist or to schedule an appointment.

St. Charles Physical Therapy in Bend, Oregon can help relieve joint, bone or muscle pain and restore mobility in people with a variety of orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions.

Understanding arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a special type of minimally invasive surgery. It is performed by inserting a tiny camera, called an arthroscope, through a small incision. The images from the camera are displayed on a monitor. This allows the surgeon to see the area clearly without making the type of large incisions that would be needed in open surgery. This technique can be used for either diagnostic procedures or treatment, depending upon the condition. If operation is necessary, the surgeon uses extremely thin surgical tools guided by the arthroscope images.

Arthroscopic surgery can be performed on many parts of the body, but it is especially useful in knee surgery.

The benefits of knee arthroscopy

The advantage of arthroscopic surgery over open surgery is that the patient experiences less pain and stiffness, and the recovery time is often much shorter as well. That means a smoother, more comfortable rehabilitation period and a quicker return to activities. This makes an especially big difference when it comes to knee surgery, because this type of recovery tends to keep patients off their feet. Faster healing means a faster return to independence.

There are many reasons why someone may need arthroscopic knee surgery. A few of the more common ones include:

• ACL tears
• Kneecap problems
• Meniscus tears
• Osteoarthritis

Experts in arthroscopic surgery in Central Oregon

At St. Charles Health System, our arthroscopic surgeons specialize in knee arthroscopy. If you need treatment for knee pain, you know that you’ll be working with experienced specialists with a long record of successful outcomes.

Talk to your orthopedic specialist to determine whether knee arthroscopy may be right for you.

St. Charles Health System offers arthroscopic knee surgery in Bend, Oregon to help our patients return to active, healthy lives.

Recognizing anxiety during pregnancy

Pregnancy is an emotional time, and anxiety is just one of many feelings that pregnant women experience. A moderate amount of new fears and worries is normal and expected during this time of change, but sometimes anxiety can become so intense that it gets in the way of daily functioning. It can negatively impact our sleep, relationships, parenting or work performance.

Factors that could increase the chances of experiencing high anxiety during pregnancy include:

• history of high anxiety and/or depression
• perfectionism (believing you should not make any mistakes and do everything just right)
• history of miscarriage(s)
• high-risk pregnancy
• major life stressors (such as marital or financial problems)

If you think your anxiety may be interfering with your life, consider discussing it with your maternity care provider. At St. Charles Center for Women’s Health, our maternity providers partner with integrated behavioral health specialists who can offer skills to help you regulate your emotions and anxiety during pregnancy and beyond.

^{Christopher L. Hunter, Jeffrey L. Goodie, PhD Abpp, Mark S. Oordt, Anne C. Dobmeyer. Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care - Step by Step Guidance for Assessment and Intervention
American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition, 2009.}

Behavioral Health at the Center for Women's Health

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”- World Health Organization

Integrative medicine can help women achieve well-being across the lifespan, as supported by rich research spanning decades. There are many things women can do every day to promote healthy living and aging.

Lifestyle changes such as improvements in diet and exercise, sleep behavior, and developing mindfulness -- a skill to live in the moment without judgment -- can be beneficial to wellness, disease prevention and improved health at any age.

Whether you are interested in developing skills for improved wellness, disease prevention, or you are coping with a medical or mental health condition, integrative approaches can help. Our skilled, knowledgeable and relatable behavioral health consultants at St. Charles Center for Women's Health are available. Talk to your provider about scheduling an appointment today.

What is the Behavioral Health Consultant?

Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) services at St. Charles Center for Women's Health are offered to you as part of your obstetrics and gynecological services. This service is meant to complement your care by helping you gain a more holistic perspective of your issue(s) and develop skills to improve your management of stress, worry, lifestyle habits or emotional concerns about obstetric or gynecological issues. Screening may also be offered prior to surgical procedures to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.

The BHC and your OB/GYN provider work together as a team to consider the medical, behavioral and emotional aspects of your health to help you determine a course of action that will work best for you.

What kind of concerns can a behavioral health consultant help me address?

The BHC can help reduce symptoms associated with various OB/GYN conditions, or help you cope with these conditions. A few of these conditions are:

• Perimenopause or menopause
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Sexual function concerns
• Management of STDs
• Diabetes
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Infertility
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• High blood pressure
• Recurrent abdominal pain
• Pregnancy and post-partum related concerns
• Intimate partner violence
• Obesity and weight loss
• Sleep issues
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• LGBT and gender identification
• Smoking/tobacco cessation

The BHC can also help you develop skills to effectively manage emotional or behavioral difficulties that affect your health, pregnancy, relationships and/or parenting such as: Anger, anxiety, bereavement/grief, depression and stress.

What should I expect when I see the behavioral health consultant?

Your BHC will spend 15 to 30 minutes with you. You will be asked specific questions about your physical symptoms, emotional concerns, health history and behaviors. This evaluation will help determine what kind of care you may need. You may continue to see the BHC until your concern is resolved, or the BHC may make other recommendations.