WHAT WE DO

Dr. Michael Chisner performs an electrophysiology study of the heart (this is done to determine if a pacemaker is needed to help regulate the patient's heartbeat).

Our physicians are experienced in assisting patients with newly discovered heart conditions or long-term chronic disease. Our physicians can provide a number of therapies and treatments for a wide variety of cardiovascular ailments. We can perform diagnostic surgical procedures such as angiograms (to determine if there is a blockage in the heart's arteries) and electrophysiology studies (to determine if the heart needs assistance in maintaining a healthy beat) as well as intervention surgeries such as angioplasty (breaking up blockages in the heart's arteries) and the installation of stents (devices that hold a blocked artery open). We have listed a few definitions below to assist you in understanding cardiovascular medicine. Please be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions about your health or healthcare.

Heart Attack - The term "heart attack" is often used to refer to signs and symptoms that result from the sudden blockage of blood flow to a portion of the heart. Without good blood flow, the heart does not receive enough oxygen and begins to die.

Myocardial Infarction - This refers to the permanent damage done to the heart muscle, or myocardium, when blood flow is blocked. A heart attack most commonly happens when a blood vessel that brings blood to the heart is suddenly blocked by a blood clot.

Congestive Heart Failure - A general term used to describe heart failure. Refers to the fluid in the lungs or body that results from the heart's inability to pump. Actually, this is only one feature of heart failure and does not always occur.

Right-Sided Heart Failure - Results from failure of the pumping action of the right side of the heart and causes swelling in the body, usually the legs and abdomen.

Left-Sided Heart Failure - Results from failure of the pumping action of the left side of the heart and causes congestion in the lungs.

Forward Heart Failure - Is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body for oxygen during exercise or at rest.

Backward Heart Failure - Is the inability of the heart to meet the oxygen needs of the body when heart filling pressures are too high.

High Output Heart Failure - This differs from the usual heart failure in that the heart may pump out its usual amount of blood, but that may not be enough to meet the bodies' needs.