Cardiology Services

Comprehensive Cardiac Care

Whether you're at risk for heart disease, experiencing a heart attack or recovering from heart surgery, Goshen General Hospital has the specialized cardiac services you need, right in your own community. From early detection through careful recovery, we offer personalized, compassionate care.

Prevention & Wellness

For those diagnosed with heart disease or wishing to avoid it, the hospital offers educational classes and support groups related to heart health, such as:

• • smoking cessation
  • stress management
  • healthy eating
  • CPR
  • Cardiac Club

Early Detection & Diagnosis

Catching and treating heart disease in its early stages can be the key to long-term survival. To help area residents detect problems early before symptoms appear, Goshen General Hospital offers health risk appraisals - a simple, yet thorough screening for heart disease and other lifestyle-related diseases.

A health risk appraisal includes:

• • written health risk profile
  • complete blood lipid profile
  • height, weight and blood pressure measurements
  • follow-up session to review your final report
  

To schedule a health risk appraisal (HRA), call 574-535-2505, ext 1102.

If a problem is detected through your HRA or your personal physician, a variety of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools are available from Goshen General Hospital's heart care program. Some of those tools include:

• • echocardiograms
  • electrocardiograms (EKGs)
  • thallium stress testing
  • treadmill stress testing
  • cardiac catheterization
  • ultrafast computerized tomography (For more information on ultrafast CT, visit www.cardiacimaging.com)
  • associated labwork

Specialized Treatment

For patients hospitalized as a result of a cardiac event (e.g. angina, heart attack, irregular heart beat), experienced staff at Goshen General Hospital provide specialized care in the intensive and progressive care units as well as in the emergency room. "Clot busters," such as streptokinase, are readily available to save valuable heart muscle for those experiencing a heart attack. Pacemaker insertion is also available for certain abnormal heart rhythms if needed.

Three Levels of Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program of Goshen General Hospital is designed to help those who have heart disease attain and maintain a high level of good health.  By beginning a controlled exercise program, learning ways to modify lifestyle, and understanding information about heart problems; quality of life can be greatly enhanced.

Program Levels

Phase I – Cardiac Rehab for inpatients of the hospital.  It consists of a graduated exercise program, progressing from bed rest to walking in the hall as able.  Information is made available to the patients and their families about the heart, heart attack, risk factors, lifestyle modifications, and which activities are appropriate when the patient is discharged home.

Phase II – Outpatient Exercise Program. A supervised, monitored exercise program is conducted by registered nurses/respiratory therapists.  The exercise prescription is individualized -- starting light, and gradually increasing over time. The program is held each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Program options include:

1. At Goshen College Recreation-Fitness Center from 6:30 – 8:00 a.m.; walking laps.
2. At Cardiopulmonary Rehab at Goshen General Hospital for a scheduled hour between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m.; using weights, treadmill, and stationary bikes.

Persons with the following health conditions are eligible for the program:

• Heart Attack  
• Cardiac By-pass Surgery 
• Cardiac Angioplasty
• Valve Surgery   
• Heart Transplant  
• Angina

Phase III – An exercise program to sustain an active lifestyle to maintain strength and endurance, and to lower the risk of a repeat cardiac event.

Heart Healthy Eating

Enjoy  Conversation, Heart Healthy Breakfast,  Diet Knowledge for the Heart

This is every 4th Wednesday of each month, at 8:30 a.m. in the Dining Room annex at Goshen General Hospital, -1st floor.  (Exceptions: November’s meeting will be on the 3rd Wednesday,  December – no meeting. )

A Registered Dietitian gives information about eating a low fat-low cholesterol diet for a healthy heart.  Open discussions are encouraged and time is provided for asking questions and for sharing comments.

Participants are encouraged to invite family members to these meetings.  Heredity is a strong factor in the development of heart disease, so sons and daughters can benefit from diet/lifestyle changes made as early in life as possible.

A small fee is charged for breakfast.  Please call in your registration at least 48 hours in advance to: The Cardiac Rehab Nurse Coordinator at 574-535-2505 ext 1102.

Cardiac Club Meetings

Date:  Third Thursday of each month.
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Place:   Greencroft Senior Center in   Goshen

Meetings are held monthly for members to enjoy fellowship with people who have shared experiences and mutual interests.  The Club strengthens the positive relationship between members through the wholesome experiences gained by sharing and working together.

The Club encourages all members to continue to follow dietary and physical exercise programs as prescribed by their physician.  Educational programs in cardiac care are offered to provide updated information.

The Cardiac Club Newsletter is printed and mailed to each member on a monthly basis.  This newsletter provides information on upcoming meetings, recipes, educational articles, and general information on exercise, diet, medications and other heart-related issues. 

A modest annual membership fee includes the newsletter and program expenses.  It covers the cost for participation of a spouse or support person.  Membership is open to anyone expressing a desire to participate.

For more information on Cardiac Rehabilitation and prevention at Goshen General Hospital, call 574-535-2505, ext 1102.

For help in finding a physician for yourself or another family member, submit a request with our Physician Referral Form or call 574-535-2505, ext 1102 or toll-free at 1-877-846-4447.