The Heart Health clinic is a service offered at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital to people who are 18 years of age and older who have risk factors for heart disease or stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and/or family history of vascular disease. It is for people who have had angina, a heart attack, open heart surgery or a stroke. It is also for people who have heart failure or cardiomyopathy.
The clinic has medical director who is an Internal Medicine Specialist and is managed by a Nurse Practitioner in collaboration with Family Doctors.
In the clinic the patient is seen at a one-on-one appointment with a Nurse Practitioner who:
- Performs health history review and physical exam.
- Provides education about your health conditions.
- Provides education about how to manage your symptoms.
- Orders tests, if necessary, to further assess your health status.
- Works with an Internal Medicine Specialist and your Family Doctor to determine the best treatment options for you.
*This service is only available to clients referred by a specialist.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
For your appointment you will be asked to bring along all medications you are taking in their bottles, as well as all natural remedies or herbal medication and over-the-counter medications that you may take.
Please also bring a list of any questions and/or concerns you have about your heart.
What will happen at my appointment?
You will be asked questions about your health and have a physical examination, that may include checking your blood pressure and listening to heart sounds.
Your provider will monitor your condition and adjust treatment as needed.
You will be provided with education regarding your particular health issues.
It will be decided at your first appointment if you will need a follow up visit.