{"id":11920,"date":"2024-09-23T15:48:54","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T15:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/?p=11920"},"modified":"2024-09-30T08:06:07","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T08:06:07","slug":"new-cardiac-services-available-in-the-south-east-are-improving-patient-outcomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/cardiology\/new-cardiac-services-available-in-the-south-east-are-improving-patient-outcomes\/","title":{"rendered":"New cardiac services available in the South East are improving patient outcomes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"363\" height=\"363\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-11921\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23145600\/BOLES_USAMA.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23145600\/BOLES_USAMA.jpg 363w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23145600\/BOLES_USAMA-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 363px) 100vw, 363px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Prof Usama Boles<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Consultant, Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist, UPMC Ireland<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>As the burden of cardiovascular-related arrhythmias increases, new cardiac services in the South East alongside improved management techniques come at the right time to improve patient outcomes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The burden of <a href=\"https:\/\/getsmartaboutafib.net\/en-IE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cardiovascular-related arrhythmias<\/a> in the community is increasing. Factors such as poor diet, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity contribute to an increased risk of developing arrhythmias, alongside genetics, cardiovascular problems and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arrhythmia-affecting-more-people\"><strong>Arrhythmia affecting more people<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting around 59 million individuals, and is the leading cardiac cause of stroke. Prof Usama Boles, Consultant Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist, discusses the extent of the issue: \u201cWe are seeing younger and younger people present with arrhythmias, individuals leading high-stress lives, whether in their jobs, studies or personal circumstances \u2014 or athletes who regularly engage in intense physical training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-432116675\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-1428264144\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/getsmartaboutafib.net\/en-IE\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Jonson and Johnson desk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23155647\/Jonson-and-Johnson-desk.jpg\" alt=\"\"  width=\"750\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-critical-early-detection\"><strong>Critical early detection <\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With a range of symptoms including palpitations, shortness of breath, lack of energy and fatigue, cardiac arrhythmias can significantly impact a person&#8217;s daily life. Early intervention is critical to preventing complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn an audit done in the East of Ireland, 41% of strokes were attributed to AF; immediate assessment is required to start the patient on stroke prevention medications,\u201d Boles says. \u201cThe earlier we can intercept cardiac arrhythmias and begin appropriate management, the better the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Electrophysiologists are <br>medical specialists dedicated <br>to arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-role-of-the-electrophysiologist-nbsp\"><strong>Role of the electrophysiologist&nbsp;<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Electrophysiologists are medical specialists dedicated to <a href=\"https:\/\/getsmartaboutafib.net\/en-IE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment<\/a>. Their expertise is essential in managing arrhythmias effectively, utilising advanced technologies and personalised strategies to improve patient outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cElectrophysiologists facilitate in-depth investigation and prediction of arrhythmia risk using specialised tools,\u201d explains Boles. \u201cAdditional investigations, such as comprehensive echocardiograms and advanced management strategies, are key to understanding the extent of the disease and guiding treatment plans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-3483612675\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-2349716103\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/getsmartaboutafib.net\/en-IE\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Jonson and Johnson desk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23155647\/Jonson-and-Johnson-desk.jpg\" alt=\"\"  width=\"750\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-changing-face-of-treatment\"><strong>Changing face of treatment<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ablation, a procedure to destroy abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmia, has improved significantly. It is becoming more effective and efficient with fewer complications and shorter recovery times. \u201cThere is a massive improvement in what we can provide. Ablation is becoming the first-line treatment in many situations and is more widely available, enabling us to offer life-changing interventions to more people,\u201d says Boles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alongside the risk of stroke, AF can cause additional health complications, making ablation a powerful solution to manage and even eliminate symptoms. \u201cWe have various pathways, with rapid access arrhythmia clinics in public and private sectors, ensuring we can fast-track people with high risk, where all available treatment options are discussed,\u201d he continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UPMC Whitfield Hospital&nbsp;now offers electrophysiology studies and catheter ablation for South East residents, allowing them to access these services closer to home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-button ab-block-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/getsmartaboutafib.net\/en-IE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"ab-button ab-button-shape-rounded ab-button-size-medium fb-pixel\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#f29334\">Click here to learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the burden of cardiovascular-related arrhythmias increases, new cardiac services in the South East alongside improved management techniques come at the right time to improve patient outcomes. The burden of cardiovascular-related arrhythmias in the community is increasing. Factors such as poor diet, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity contribute to an increased risk of developing arrhythmias, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/cardiology\/new-cardiac-services-available-in-the-south-east-are-improving-patient-outcomes\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":11925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[129],"tags":[5942],"class_list":["post-11920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cardiology","tag-cardiovascular-health-q3-2024"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23154651\/AdobeStock_249960101-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2024\/09\/23154651\/AdobeStock_249960101-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"henryphillips","author_link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/author\/henryphillips\/"},"vicky_index_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11920"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11959,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11920\/revisions\/11959"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}