Statistically Speaking

It's true; statistics can be alarming. The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in older adults, with over 85% of adults aged 80 and older having some form of CVD, including hypertension. Coronary heart disease (CHD) also increases with age, affecting 30.6% of males and 20.6% of females aged 80 and older, with heart attacks (MI) being experienced by 16.5% of men and 7.5% of women in this age group.

Common heart problems for older adults include coronary artery disease (CAD), where arteries narrow from plaque buildup; heart failure, when the heart can't pump efficiently; arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats like atrial fibrillation; and heart valve diseases, such as the stiffening and narrowing of the aortic valve. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is also a frequent condition that can lead to heart complications.

Of course, the bright side to this situation is that 100% of patients in Southwest Florida - regardless of age - have access to the Heart Center at Physicians Regional Healthcare System.

Thankfully, some manage to maintain a more lighthearted view of the aging process, as exemplified by my friend "Alex" (not his real name), who shared this story.

"I recently asked a physician why so many things seem to be going awry now that I'm older. He politely looked me in the eye and explained: You're basically a car with a lot of miles on it. It's bound to happen."

Alex's tongue-in-cheek assessment: "I guess I can no longer put my healthcare needs in the back seat!"

Though stated in jest, Alex's thought underlines one of our core values. At Physicians Regional, we continue to invest in people, service lines, and technology to keep you in the driver's seat - a prime example being the Heart Center at Physicians Regional, whose mission is to deliver exceptional, patient-centered cardiovascular care with a focus on quality, safety, and innovation.

Heart Center patients receive the same level of expertise found at large centers in major metropolitan cities without the need to travel. Additionally, our catheterization labs, hybrid room, and imaging systems are equipped with the latest technologies, enabling real-time precision for safe and efficient procedures.

Physicians Regional Collier Blvd is a STEMI receiving facility and is able to help the community when it comes to a major heart attack event. STEMI is a "ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction," which is a heart attack caused by a sudden or total blockage of the coronary artery.

To be a STEMI receiving facility, the hospital must have designated protocols, staff, and equipment to treat patients as quickly as possible when they are experiencing a heart attack, resulting in faster outcomes for the patient.

When it comes to the heart, patients must go to the closest facility for medical intervention. If you live in East Naples or on Marco Island, the nearest hospital is Physicians Regional Medical Center, located on Collier Boulevard.

One of my primary goals with this column is to explain the difference between various types of treatment options related to specific conditions. Today, let's look at general cardiology and interventional cardiology.

General cardiologists diagnose, manage, and prevent heart conditions using medications and lifestyle changes, focusing on ongoing care.

Interventional cardiologists are highly specialized physicians who perform minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures to treat blockages and structural heart problems in a cardiac cathlab, such as angioplasty and stent placement. Interventional Cardiology offers highly effective, less invasive treatments for many heart and vascular conditions, which can be performed as outpatient procedures, and most patients go home the same day.

The primary difference is that general cardiologists manage heart disease through non-invasive means. In contrast, interventional cardiologists are trained to perform procedures to actively correct and repair the heart and blood vessels.

Lucky for you, the most recent addition to our Physicians Regional team, Dr. Bishoy Abraham, has extensive skills in all aspects of cardiovascular diseases. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures.

Dr. Abraham completed his internal medicine residency at Henry Ford St John Hospital in Detroit, MI, and his general cardiology fellowship at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He then received his intensive fellowship in interventional cardiology at Columbia University Department of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, FL. Dr. Abraham is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and echocardiography.

With a reputation for being approachable, compassionate, and thorough, Dr. Abraham takes the time to listen to patients and discuss the disease and treatment in detail. He believes that patient needs come first and builds patient trust through clear communication and evidence-based decisions.

Dr. Abraham has led and participated in numerous research projects that have resulted in significant patient-focused data published in highly prestigious American cardiovascular journals. He co-authored more than 25 published manuscripts, in addition to over 50 abstracts and presentations at cardiovascular meetings in the USA. His research has focused on the management of coronary artery disease, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and mitral valve repair.

Perhaps most reassuring of all, Dr. Abraham is fiercely committed to treating each person with the same level of care he would want for his own family.

"My best advice for all patients is that the best treatment is always to prevent the condition," explains Dr. Abraham. "Early follow-up with your cardiologist will allow good management of the risk factors and help prevent heart disease. Through good plans and close follow-up, we can help our patients avoid heart disease in the future."