Newsroom

GOSHEN, Ind. – If you’ve had a stent in the arteries that supply blood to your heart, or a heart procedure that restored regular heart rate and rhythm such as an ablation, pacemaker or a defibrillator, you may feel like once you’ve been discharged from the hospital, you’re good to go. But most people discover such procedures are life-altering events and they need to protect their hearts (and their lives) by eating healthier, exercising more, managing their stress, taking medications and monitoring any implanted devices.

The good news is that regular monitoring of implanted devices and medications lowers your risk for stroke, fatal arrhythmias, cardiac arrest or another heart attack. And, having an implanted cardiac device often doesn’t require an office visit.

GOSHEN, Ind. – Tempted to try an at-home genetic test kit that can tell you about your cancer risks? Online options or drug store kits sound simple to use. Spit in a tube, mail it to a lab, get the results.

But what do the results really mean? And what can you do with the information, whether it’s positive or negative?

GOSHEN, Ind. – Matt Thomas is 31 years old, exercises regularly and has no history of heart disease in his family. Why then did the clinical coordinator and exercise physiologist for Goshen Heart & Vascular Center put himself through a 90-day trial of the Ornish Lifestyle Diet?

Ornish Lifestyle Medicine focuses on exercise, stress management, group support and a plant-based nutrition plan that excludes meat, fish and oils. People who follow the Ornish eating plan eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nonfat dairy products, soy and egg whites. It focuses on eating whole, unprocessed foods that are naturally low in fat and refined carbohydrates.

A special presentation about humor will be offered at the next meeting of the Heart Failure Support Group on Thursday, April 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Greencroft Community Center. This month’s meeting will feature a special guest speaker, Mark Potuck from Goshen Heart & Vascular Center, who will give a presentation on “The Role of Laughter & Playfulness in Chronic Disease Management.” Everyone is welcome to attend this free special program of humor and laughter.

The Heart Failure Support Group is open to all persons with heart failure and their families. It is a place to share common experiences and concerns in a supportive, friendly group atmosphere.  A clinical nurse specialist is available to answer your questions and to provide information to enhance your day-to-day management of heart failure.     

The group meets the second Thursday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. at Greencroft Community Center. To find out more, call (574) 364-2871.

GOSHEN, Ind. – Small Vietnam War commemoration pins presented to veterans at Courtyard Healthcare Center in Goshen, Ind., carried more meaning than most gifts. The veterans received the pins during a pinning ceremony coordinated by Goshen Hospice to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski participated in the ceremony.