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February is American Heart Month!
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US and a major cause of disability? You can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease by taking steps to prevent and control some of the factors that put you at greater risk. Also, knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are so important for reducing negative outcomes of having a heart attack.
Different conditions that can put your heart at risk are arrhythmia, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Second hand smoke, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also risk factors associated with developing heart disease. There are also other conditions and risk factors that are associated with heart disease and can be found on the American Heart Association's website (www.heart.org).
Some of the symptoms of a heart attack are intense and sudden; however, the majority of heart attacks start slowly, with mild discomfort or pain. Many times, people do not realize what is wrong and wait too long to get help. Here are some signs that are associated with a heart attack:
- Chest discomfort - This can be an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest which can last for a few seconds to a few minutes, or can go away and come back.
- Pain or discomfort in other parts of the body - Pain can sometimes be felt in one or both arms, the neck, back, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath - This can occur with or without chest pain or discomfort.
Other signs may be a cold sweat, nausea with or without vomiting or lightheadedness.
The American Heart Association; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the American Red Cross and the National Council on Aging have launched a new campaign to increase awareness of heart attacks and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately when any symptoms occur. This act is called "Act in Time" and can be seen in whole at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/index.htm.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding heart disease, heart attacks or associated conditions or diseases that put you at risk for heart disease, please make an appointment to discuss your concerns with your provider.
-Rita N. Balistreri, FNP-BC
ANNOUNCING A NEW LOCATION!
Little Traverse Primary Care is pleased to announce that beginning October 17, we will be seeing patients at our new location in Cheboygan! Please welcome our two new providers joining us there, Dr. Mark Drogowski and Dr. Steven Konicki. We are excited to offer this new location and be able to extend our healthcare services in the area.
You may contact the new office at 231-627-5400 to make an appointment. Our office hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You may find additional information regarding our services, insurance participation and policies on this website. If you should have any further questions, please call our main office at 231-347-5400 and we will be happy to help.
ATTENTION: Patients with Cofinity Network, Humana Care Choice and Aetna insurances
We regret to inform you that effective March 1, 2011, Little Traverse Primary Care will no longer be participating with these insurance carriers. Negotiations for continued participation were not able to be reached.
What does this mean for you?
Services rendered will now have to be paid in full at the time of service. We will courtesy bill your designated carrier for consideration of payment based on your policy. Any payments made by your insurance will go directly to you.
We are offering a new way of email communication- a Patient Portal.
The Patient Portal integrates with our electronic medical records system to allow more options for our patients. Options include:
- Paying your bill online
- Receiving lab results with comments to your personal secure account
- Your active medications list can be accessed
- Refill requests
- Appointment requests
- Web visits
- Ask a nurse
- Ask a provider
- Ask a billing question
- Ask regarding a referral
If we have your email address on file, you will be sent an automatic invitation to our Patient Portal. Once you complete the registration and get an ID and password, you will be able to use it. Click the 'Patient Log-In' tab on the page to connect to the Patient Portal.
If you do not receive an invitation, please send us your email address using the 'Contact Us' tab or call us. |
