ARHS Heart & Vascular Center | By Kim S. Davis

Appalachian Regional Healthcare Heart and Vascular Center

By Kim S. Davis

Often linked to our strongest sentiments, the fist-sized heart muscle pumps blood to all parts of the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients. You might not realize how truly valuable it is to have high quality heart and vascular care close to home unless you or a loved one has experienced issues with the heart. But if you have, then you understand the need to rapidly deal with this life-giving organ that Greek philosophers first granted a dominant role in core emotions such as love, fear, anger, rage and pain.

When you hear that you have an issue with the heart, all of these feelings may come into play, and easy access to high quality cardiology care becomes more important. That is why Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) prioritized the growth and expansion of their Heart and Vascular program. Their recently expanded Heart and Vascular Center, prominently located in the front of the Watauga Medical Center (WMC), is committed to providing expedited diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease right here in the High Country.

The ARHS Heart and Vascular Center has several highly regarded board certified specialists providing comprehensive care, while continually recruiting top cardiologists to expand choices for patients. Additionally, there are dedicated professionals available around the clock in their 24-hour catheterization lab. When dealing with heart issues, time is of the essence and having such exceptional state-of-the-art services close to home is vital for improving the quality of life for area residents and visitors.

By synthesizing outpatient heart care and diagnostic services in the same location, ARHS offers a collaborative approach that is unique to the region. Instead of having to travel off the mountain to larger cities with mega-centers and multiple providers, patients can stay close to home and receive more personalized care with first-rate doctors and staff. As Caleb Ahrns, Practice Manager for the Heart and Vascular Center states, “Here patients receive the best of both worlds, excellent service should not delay when taking care of your heart. And ARHS is extremely dedicated to the safety of its patients. They utilize all of the CDC precautions and employ leading edge PPE (personal protective equipment). Furthermore, the Heart and Vascular Center is located separately from other areas of the hospital.

Even with all of the ARHS Heart and Vascular Program growth, further expansion is on the horizon. This summer, the footprint will extend into Ashe County, with the ARHS Heart and Vascular Center-Ashe opening, meaning more efficient and convenient access to top quality heart care in neighboring counties.

Throughout all of the growth and expansion at ARHS, patients can be assured that their care is the main focus of the award-winning healthcare system. Receiving the Gold Seal of Approval and advanced certification for Chest Pain by the Joint Commission, along with a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, a 5-star rating for Treatment of Heart Attack, and a 5-star rating for the Treatment of Heart Failure, the local health care team is highly capable of meeting patient needs. Furthermore, their equipment is top notch, indicated by the Echocardiogram Labs being certified by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography for Cardiac Imaging Excellence. Additionally, Watauga Medical Center earned the 2020 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award from Healthgrades and was ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation.

While the heart emoji may only be a metaphor for love, it helps express that often indescribable and undefinable emotion. So if you care about those you love, the best thing you can do is take care of yourself and your heart health. And with first-class heart and vascular care located right here in the High Country, you can safely and efficiently deal with any heart issue that arises without having to leave your mountain community.

and a personal touch. Our providers know who their patients are and what transpired when they last saw them, and they develop relationships that are a critical component of staying healthy. All of our providers and staff are focused and dedicated because they value the community.” Because of the proximity to a patient’s home, Heart and Vascular Center professionals are also able to offer support to families, because heart illness impacts all who care about the patient.

One of the exceptional services provided at the Watauga Medical Center Heart and Vascular Center is the 24/7 cardiovascular lab. With an interventional cardiologist available around the clock, patients do not have to travel far for a heart emergency. Additionally, the lab has received recognition for its rapid door-to-balloon time response. Door-to-balloon time is a national metric for treatment of heart attacks. It considers the time between when a patient arrives in the emergency room until the time the balloon is inflated within the blocked coronary artery. The national recommended doorto-balloon time is ninety minutes and the WMC cardiovascular lab has an accelerated sixty-minute time.

In addition to general cardiology services, such as consultations, diagnostics, echocardiograms (EKGs), exercise stress testing, nuclear stress testing, coronary pressure wire, and heart failure services, the Heart and Vascular Center at Watauga Medical Center provides interventional cardiology and device management. There are multiple device rooms where, to-date, 2,300 patients have been seen to check and monitor their cutting-edge pacemakers; ARHS is one of only a few providers in North Carolina able to offer this newest technology. ARHS also implants and supports Afib monitors, defibrillators, and heart monitors, as well as coronary stents and coronary angioplasty. After receiving a device, patients go home nearby, with continuous monitoring and a plan of care.

The number of patients seen recently shows that even with COVID fears, High Country residents understand that you

Springtime is the perfect time to “wake” your body up to a new season with a deep cleaning. This starts with some new and freshened-up habits, including more movement (like daily walks), an increase in your water intake, and an improved diet, all to detoxify from the long winter.

Some of the signs that you may need a detoxification (detox) regimen are: irregular bowels, lack of energy, poor concentration, weight gain, liver inflammation, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. Do you have more than one of these symptoms?

The Right Way to Detox

Detoxing can be tricky because if you jump in too quickly, you may have an adverse response to toxins that are released by bacteria and fungus when they are disrupted by dietary or lifestyle habit shifts. This is called a Herxheimer, or “Herx,” reaction and is basically a sign that your body is circulating toxins a little too quickly, which can prevent your body from eliminating them effectively. These toxins get released into the gut and bloodstream and may trigger side effects, such as loose stools or constipation; flu-like symptoms; brain fog; skin breakouts or rashes; anxiety or depression; and fatigue.

You might have noticed that if you detox too quickly, you can end up even worse off than when you started! With this in mind, here are a few very simple ways to start a gentle detox.

Drink at least 8 ounces of warm lemon water first thing in the morning. This will jumpstart your body’s natural ability to flush out toxins generated overnight. Maintain an intake of at least half your body weight in ounces of filtered or spring water daily. Avoid bottled water varieties that may contain traces of Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical that can compromise your eliminatory organs. Finally, try fasting from coffee and switch to herbal teas.

Incorporate wild foods into your diet. A great place to start is with wild foods such as bittercress, chickweed and dandelion. Add dandelion greens to your salad, smoothies, and blended dips. Dandelion root makes a wonderful tea when brewed fresh, and when roasted, it serves as an excellent substitute for coffee. Chickweed and bittercress can be added directly to your salads or blended into hummus for a bright and healthy snack or condiment. Dandelions (and sometimes chickweed and bittercress) can be purchased at farmers’ markets and your local health food store. Of course, you might prefer to step outside and forage for your own wild foods. Make sure you harvest from areas that are free of insecticides and herbicides.

Start a bedtime bath routine with Epson salts (2 tbsp.), aluminum-free baking soda (2 tbsp.), Organic Apple Cider vinegar (2 tbsp.), and lavender essential oil (10 drops). This is a wonderful way to wrap up your day and prepare for a restful night’s sleep. Set aside your electronics and focus on your deep breathing as you soak your cares away. The magnesium in the Epsom salts soothe your nervous system as well as sore muscles.

Sweat it out! Infrared saunas can be a great addition to a detox program. Be sure to hydrate before and after spending time in a sauna. As previously noted, it’s important to maintain an adequate intake of water daily.

Increase your intake and variety of fresh, local, organic vegetables. Be diligent and select a wide assortment each week. Diversity is the key to a healthy microbiome.

Prioritize sleep. Sleep shuts off non-essential physical functions so the body can redirect its energy resources toward processing, healing, restoring, and detoxifying.

Be Well

Awaken to a New, Fresher You!

By Samantha Steele

Detox Recipes

Kick start the day

-10 ounces of warm to hot, not boiling, water -One half of an organic lemon Squeeze the lemon juice into the water and drink each morning on an empty stomach.

Fresh green juice blend

-The juice of one organic lemon or lime -One half of an organic cucumber -One half of an organic granny smith apple -A handful of parsley or cilantro -A handful of mixed organic greens -Enough water to blend, with a few cubes of ice to keep chilled In your Vitamix or heavy duty blender, blend all ingredients and drink as a meal replacement or along with a meal daily. You may make ahead and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Liver cleanser

-One small organic carrot -3 Tablespoons fresh minced ginger -3 to 5 fresh dandelion leaves -One small organic lemon, whole -Enough water to blend, with a few cubes of ice to keep chilled In your Vitamix or heavy duty blender, blend all ingredients and drink as a meal replacement or along with a meal daily. You may make ahead and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Check out CML’s list of local farmers’ markets to find the best “detoxifying” produce near you!

Samantha Steele is a nutritionist, food scientist and herbalist who loves spending time outside foraging for wild foods while appreciating the abundance of God’s creation. Contact her at cmlmag3@gmail.com. The views are those of the author and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your personal physician or healthcare professional before making changes to any treatments, regimens or diets.

25 Years – 25 Things to Do with Goat’s Milk Cheese

CML contributor Gail Greco, who authored our article on Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy (You Goat, Girl!), crafted this special list to honor CML’s 25th Anniversary. Enjoy experimenting with these tasty ideas and be sure to try out her delicious recipes for “Fig Goat Cheese Pizza” and “Pasta with Goat Cheese Sauce and Mushrooms.”

The list of possibilities is endless because soft goat’s milk cheese is so versatile. Here are some ideas to inspire:

n Substitute goat cheese for cream cheese, often a healthier alternative. n Enrich a chicken chili with a plain or flavored cheese. n Use it as the base for almost any cream sauce. n Enrich tomato soup by melting in the Dairy’s garlic chive flavor. n Make it a part of a stuffed mushrooms recipe. n Scramble it in with eggs. n Tuck one of the sweeter flavors into pitted dates. n Spread goat cheese with honey for meltingly rich grilled cheese sandwiches. n Add as a salad topping. Freeze the Heritage soft cheese and when ready to cook, drop large crumbles or thin rounds into hot oil; drain; add to a fresh salad. n The tang of goat cheese is a good substitute in recipes calling for white wine or a splash of vinegar. n Spread as the base for flatbread or pizza topped with fresh sliced heirloom tomatoes. n Use it to stuff into a rolled flank steak or a beef tenderloin. n Stir a sweeter flavor goat cheese into warm oatmeal. n Schmear cheese on French bread crusts and add caramelized onions for a bruschetta. n Give your guac a new twist by creaming it with plain goat cheese. n Improve mac-and cheese by melting in Heritage’s jalapeno pimento. n Mix Heritage’s garlic chive into a hot baked potato. n Knead goat cheese flavor of choice into biscuit or scone dough. n Whisk and flavor cheese into a whippy dip. n Up the taste of cottage cheese with a Heritage savory cheese. n Dollop any savory Heritage flavor over steamed veggies. n Do none of the above and just spread goat cheese on a fave cracker. n Make Stuffed French Toast – Slit a pocket horizontally across 1-inch thick crusty

Italian or French bread slices. Spread pocket with Heritage blueberry maple, fig pr serves, orange cranberry walnut, or plain goat cheese with choice of preserves. To be more decedent, shave some of Heritage goat fudge into the pocket. Submerge the filled breads into an egg-milk batter, coating well; brown both sides in a nonstick skillet over medium heat; serve with maple syrup. n Make Fig Goat Cheese Pizza. (See recipe on page 120) n Make Pasta with Goat Cheese Sauce and Mushrooms. (See recipe on page 121)

Thursdays from 4pm to 6pm on Park Avenue

www.blowingrock.com/farmersmarket.php The Blowing Rock Farmers Market will begin Thursday, May 26th and run through September 29th.

The FM is open from 3-6pm on Park Avenue in front of the Chamber.

We typically have fresh flowers, goat cheese, local meat, bread and more!

We are also a Satellite Food Hub Distribution point!

...where everyday is a Farmer’s Market!

fresh produce locally baked goods moravian pies • quiches boiled peanuts • pickles Fresh Seafood • Local Meat Jams • honey • cheese & crackers artisan crafts & unique gifts Open Daily 10am-6pm Yummy Weekly Specials 828.963.8254 Hwy 105 South, Foscoe NC

owned & operated by LETT-US PRODUCE

Wholesale Supplier of Fine Produce Est. 1993 • Boone NC 828.963.7254