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* Information & Links
# Cardiac Care
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## Level II Cardiac Center
When it comes to cardiac emergencies and strokes, timely treatment is the key to success. It can be the difference between life and death. In 2011, the  was established to improve patient outcomes by changing the way cardiac and stroke patients are triaged and transported. The goal of the ECS System is to improve patient outcomes by reducing time to treatment and getting patients into a dedicated system of comprehensive care with identified cardiac- and stroke-specific protocols. Washington is the only state in the country to have a statewide system for cardiac *and* stroke care.
Through this program, WhidbeyHealth Medical Center has earned the status of Level II Cardiac Center and Level III Stroke Center. That means whether a patient is transported via ambulance or by family/friends, WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and WhidbeyHealth EMS have the necessary protocols in place to provide the best, most timely care possible. In some cases, that might require an immediate transfer to a facility with more advanced cardiac treatment capabilities. In other cases, a patient might bypass WhidbeyHealth Medical Center altogether and be transported directly to a facility via EMS or helicopter transport through our partnership with Life Flight.
## Cardiac Rehabilitation
If you have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important part of your recovery. It can improve your ability to carry out activities of daily life, while reducing your heart disease risk factors, improving quality of life and personal confidence, and increasing your ability to manage your disease. It can help grow strength, build heart-healthy habits, and reduce the risk of future cardiac events.
Each year, roughly 800,000 Americans have a heart attack. For 25% of them, it’s not their first. Cardiac Rehabilitation can help prevent a second heart attack and decrease the risk of death over one to three years after taking part in the program. However, only about 20% of those eligible each year enroll in a cardiac rehab program.
Speak to your provider if you have experienced:
* Heart Attack
* Angina Pectoris
* Cardiomyopathy
* Valvular Heart Disease
* Heart Failure
* Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
* Coronary Artery Stent
* Heart Transplant
* Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
Cardiac Rehabilitation at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center is a medically supervised program designed to fit your needs and meet your goals. Program participants receive an individualized exercise regimen based on their specific condition and physical ability. Patients also participate in supervised exercise sessions with a group of other participants with similar conditions.
In addition to exercise, education is a key component of the program. Patients learn how to make heart-healthy choices, manage and reduce risk factors and recognize the signs and symptoms that need medical attention.
Our rehab team will work closely with you and your cardiologist, regardless of where they are located, to develop a customized program tailored to your specific needs.
Having the ability to complete your rehabilitation locally lowers the stress of ferry schedules and travel and makes it possible for your family member to attend with you.
### (360) 678-7619
#### Option 2 – Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab Services Fax: (360) 678-7667
## Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring
With the addition of the new, state-of-the-art Siemens SOMATOM go.Top CT, WhidbeyHealth now has the ability to offer Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring.
CAC scoring is a diagnostic procedure that assesses the level of calcium deposits within the coronary arteries – crucial blood vessels supplying the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. This scoring system provides valuable insights into the presence and extent of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in artery walls. By utilizing non-invasive imaging through CT scans, physicians can accurately visualize and quantify these calcium deposits. The severity of calcification is then evaluated using a scoring system, which considers factors such as the density and distribution of the calcium deposits.
CAC scoring does not directly assess the presence of non-calcified plaque or other factors that may contribute to cardiovascular risk. Therefore, it is often used in conjunction with other risk assessment tools and clinical evaluation to provide a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk to help healthcare providers identify individuals who may be at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Because the test emits a low dose of radiation, a referral from your primary care provider is required. The test isn’t always covered by insurance but is available at a relatively low cost ($150).
### Our Providers
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  #### Marshall Corson, MD
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## Cardiac Stress Testing
Simply put, cardiac stress testing can indicate how well your cardiovascular system is working. The general goal of a stress test is to assess the heart’s response to increasing exercise using continuous EKG monitoring or, in some cases, with added echocardiographic imaging. Participants walk on a treadmill, starting at a low speed with minimal incline, with increases in speed and elevation that result in increases in monitored heart rate and blood pressure. The goal is for each patient to reach a near-maximal heart rate for their age over the course of several minutes, at which point the combination of symptoms, EKG response and changes in the ultrasound image pattern can reveal information regarding the adequacy of blood supply to the heart muscle. For patients who cannot walk safely on the treadmill or who cannot raise their heart rate adequately, a graded infusion of a substance that mimics exercise can be used to obtain similar information.
Cardiac stress testing is extremely safe and always closely monitored by a medical professional. Results from your test will be shared with your provider who will provide you with any next steps.
## Ambulatory Rhythm Monitoring
An EKG records the electrical signals from your heart for 12 seconds, creating something like a “snapshot” of the pattern. Sometimes, abnormal heart rhythms happen intermittently or only under specific conditions. In these situations, more extended, continuous monitoring of cardiac rhythm is needed to evaluate intermittent symptoms, such as palpitations (heart “flutters”), lightheadedness or fully passing out, or to monitor for the occurrence and frequency of abnormal heart rhythms.
In the past, patients who needed this type of monitoring were required to wear the same kind of EKG electrode patches on their chests that were connected by wires to a small monitor box that was either clipped to the waistband or carried in a small bag. Thankfully, WhidbeyHealth uses a newer, more patient-friendly technology to record this information without any wires or connections to an additional external monitor. The device is called a “” ambulatory rhythm monitor. This small device is about 1” wide and 4” long and has an adhesive backing that is placed on the center of the sternum (chest bone) and worn for three to 14 days.
If appropriate, your provider will place an order, and you will be scheduled to have the patch put on at our MAC clinic at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center. At that time, you will be registered with the company (BardyDx) that provides the monitors and instructed on how to activate the device when you experience symptoms that could be relevant (for example palpitations, chest discomfort, lightheadedness, etc). Typically, the device is worn for the prescribed period then removed by the patient. The device is then sent to BardyDx in a package provided for this purpose, where it is processed by a technician and reviewed by a Cardiologist. If a patient experiences a major symptom, such as transient loss of consciousness, the patient can come in after recovery during the next open MAC clinic session and the data collected by the device can be downloaded and sent to BardyDx via the internet, and an accelerated evaluation will be provided. Even when mailed by the patient to BardyDx, the data is analyzed and reviewed in as timely a manner as possible, and the results sent to the referring provider for review and appropriate action.
## Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG, is a fast, simple and painless test that records the electrical activity in your heart to help diagnose potential issues. Every heartbeat is triggered by an electrical signal that starts at the top of the heart and travels to the bottom of the heart. When there are problems with the heart, those electrical signals can be modified or disrupted.
If you have a family history of heart disease, your provider may also order an EKG to look for early signs of heart disease. No matter your age, it’s important to be aware of any symptoms that may indicate a heart problem and talk with a provider about scheduling an EKG.
Whether your referral is from a WhidbeyHealth provider or someone located off-island, you can have your EKG performed at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and stay close to home.
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* Presence of one or more of the following symptoms: chest pain, dizziness or confusion, heart palpitations, rapid pulse, shortness of break, fatigue or weakness.
* To detect abnormal heart rhythms, including a recent or ongoing heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), coronary artery blockage, or areas of damaged heart muscle (from a prior heart attack).
* To monitor recovery from a heart attack, progression of heart disease, or the effectiveness of certain medications or a cardiac device.
* To look for hidden heart disease in patients about to undergo surgery.
* An EKG is a non-invasive, pain-free test that doesn’t require any special preparation.
* Electrodes are attached by small adhesive patches to various locations on your body including your chest, arm and leg.
* Sensors in the pads detect the electrical activity of your heart.
* The test is performed while you lie still on your back.
* Results are recorded then interpreted or read by a physician and sent to your provider.
* The test usually takes about 10 minutes.
## Echocardiogram
Like an EKG, an echocardiogram is used to detect and diagnose heart problems. While an EKG measures the electrical signals from the heart, an echocardiogram uses ultrasound to check the structure and function of the heart chambers and valves. It may be performed as part of a routine exam, or your provider may order one if you have symptoms that may indicate cardiac disease, such as:
* Chest pain
* Shortness of breath
* Unusual fatigue
* Dizziness/Fainting
* Lightheadedness
* Presence of a heart murmur or change in an existing murmur
While there are many types of echocardiograms, the most common type is performed outside the body using a hand-held wand with a small amount of gel. The wand is placed on the chest and sends sound waves to the heart. Those sound waves bounce off different structures in the heart and produce a moving picture that shows the heart’s size and shape as well as blood flow through the heart chambers and valves. Once the data is recorded, the study is reviewed by a Cardiologist with advanced expertise in interpretation, and a report is sent to your referring provider and copied into your electronic health record. This type of test is considered to be without significant risks, pain or side effects.
Whether your referral is from a WhidbeyHealth provider or someone located off-island, you can have your echocardiogram performed at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and stay close to home.
### Community Connection
As a Public Hospital District, WhidbeyHealth is owned by the taxpayers of Whidbey Island, and we are committed to providing local access to quality health care.
### Comprehensive Care
WhidbeyHealth offers a broad range of flexible, patient-centric care in more than 25 service areas with convenient locations across the entire island from Oak Harbor to Clinton.
### Close to Home
An exceptional team supports a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services so our community doesn’t have to travel off-island for many of their healthcare needs.
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# Diabetes Care
## Service Overview
Whether you are living with diabetes, you’ve been newly diagnosed, with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes, or are helping a loved one, the WhidbeyHealth Diabetes Care and Management team is here to help.
We are **accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists**, which recognizes our comprehensive approach in meeting the needs of individuals living with diabetes.
* Enhance the management of your diabetes by making healthy choices every day
* Improve the effectiveness of diabetes medications with increased activity and proper diet
* Enjoy the convenience of expert diabetes management, close to home
### Individual appointments are available when new needs arise, such as:
* Changing blood glucose control
* Changing medications such as starting insulin
* Frequent episodes of low blood sugar
* Insulin pump support
* You have concerns about your blood glucose
* Change in life circumstances
* Blinded or personal continuous glucose monitoring
## Why is diabetes education important?
Although your doctor prescribes diabetes medications and monitors blood glucose control with lab work, your success with managing diabetes relies heavily on the choices you make daily.
Education and support can help you effectively manage your diabetes with its many challenges.
Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE), will work with you and your provider to create an individualized plan to successfully manage your diabetes and reduce risks for complications.
Classes are recommended usually when you are first diagnosed.
Consisting of four two-hour classes, this program covers:
* The causes of diabetes
* Using glucose monitoring effectively
* Healthy eating and exercise management
* Understanding medications
* Healthy coping
* Preventing diabetes-related complications
* Selecting tools for your specific circumstances
Telephone support is provided at three, six and 12 months after completion of the program.
Individual appointments are available when new needs arise, such as:
* Adding or considering the addition of insulin
We teach insulin self-adjustment when recommended by your physician.
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are between 100 and 125 mg/dl. Studies have shown that individuals with pre-diabetes have an increased risk for heart disease and developing Type 2 diabetes.
Healthy eating and exercise can prevent or significantly delay Type 2 diabetes and decrease risk for heart disease. The pre-diabetes class is designed to help individuals develop the lifestyle changes necessary to address these risks. We provide two, two-hour classes one month apart plus follow-up support by phone.
In addition to diabetes classes, our Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator can provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), which involves individualized instruction on managing your diabetes with diet.
Carbohydrate counting is the main strategy used to educate clients on using food as a tool to manage diabetes. Medicare and most insurance will pay for MNT, minus your co-pay. **A separate referral is needed.** To learn more about MNT, call 360.678.7656 ext. 7688.
## Continuous Glucose Sensors
Continuous glucose sensors help evaluate fluctuations in your blood glucose levels throughout the day and night by measuring interstitial glucose every few minutes and creating a graph of the measurements.
There are several types of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) with varying duration of the sensor up to 14 days and can be used with or without an insulin pump. Your provider can order a professional continuous CGM session or a personal monitor. A professional CGM is worn for 10 days and them reports are downloaded for your provider. A personal CGM sensor is changed every 7-14 days and used to adjust insulin. This adjustment goes beyond replacing finger-sticks. You should meet with a diabetes educator to learn more about the software, downloading reports and learning from your trends and arrows to effectively manage your diabetes.