Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows and blood cannot flow normally. Over time, aortic valve stenosis causes your heart’s left ventricle to pump harder to push blood through the narrowed aortic valve.

A type of chest discomfort caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart. It may be experienced as tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing pain or crushing chest pain. The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, which is narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Any disorder of heart rate or rhythm. Examples of arrhythmias are tachycardia (faster-than-normal heartbeat) and bradycardia (slower-than-normal heartbeat).

The buildup of fatty deposits, or plaques, in the arteries. The narrowing and stiffening of arteries due to plaque buildup can interfere with blood flow, causing pain in oxygen-starved organs. If a plaque in a coronary artery ruptures, it can cause heart attack or stroke.

A heart rhythm disorder in which the upper chambers of the heart (atria) contract rapidly and in a disorganized manner. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of blood clots that can block the flow of blood to the brain, lungs or other organs.

An abnormally slow heart rate. Bradycardia may have no symptoms or may cause heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue and fainting.

When the heart’s muscle tone is damaged, impairing its ability to pump blood. The most common type is dilated cardiomyopathy, in which one or more of the heart’s chambers is enlarged and its pumping becomes less forceful. Other types include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the walls of the heart muscle thicken, and restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes more rigid.

A narrowing of the neck arteries supplying blood to the brain.

Discomfort or pain along the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack or coronary artery disease, but it may also occur due to asthma, pneumonia, muscle strain, anxiety or digestive problems such as heartburn, ulcers or gallstones.

Abnormalities in the heart’s structure and function that are caused by disordered or abnormal heart development before birth. While some abnormalities never cause any problems, many of these defects need to be followed carefully and require treatment such as medication or surgery. The most common congenital heart defect is a ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart.

A condition in which the heart is weak and has lost some ability to pump blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent coughing or wheezing, fatigue and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen.

Narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart due to the buildup of plaque in the artery wall. CAD is the most common type of heart disease. The reduced blood flow to the heart can cause angina (chest pain) and heart attack and can contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias.

Sudden blockage of the supply of blood and oxygen to a portion of the heart muscle. Treatments for heart attack work to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow as quickly as possible to limit damage to the heart muscle.

A total cholesterol level above 240 is considered high cholesterol. Total cholesterol between 200 and 239 is considered borderline high. High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. Diet and medication can bring down cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Blood pressure of 120 to 139 systolic (the top number in a reading) or 80 to 89 diastolic (the bottom number) is considered prehypertension. Blood pressure above 139 systolic or above 89 diastolic is considered high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

Atherosclerosis, or narrowing or blockage of arteries due to the buildup of fatty deposits, affecting the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet. It’s also referred to as Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Clinical Research

Thousands of cardiac research clinical trials are conducted around the world each year as a way to offer the best and most current health care possible. At Parkway Cardiology Associates, we know that clinical research may help people live longer and feel better. Our clinical research team actively conducts research at our facility and works to match patients to the appropriate trials.

About Clinical Research

Clinical research is a drug discovery process. Drug development is divided into four phases. Phase I utilizes a small number of healthy young volunteers determining serum drug levels and chemical profiles being drawn on an hourly basis. Phase II trials are used in a population for which treatment is intended, involving less than 1000 patients. After successful Phase II trials, the pharmaceutical company has a good understanding of the safety and efficacy of a drug. Phase III trials build on this knowledge. These trials have several hundred to several thousand patients involving 30 to 100 centers in the United States and throughout the world. Phase IV studies bridge the gab between research and marketing and allow further data collection on the new drug or device. Only after phase I-IV clinical trials are completed to the FDA’s satisfaction are these drugs available for the general public. Parkway Cardiology focuses on phase II, III and IV drug trials.

What does this mean to you as a potential volunteer?

Volunteers participate in a clinical trial for many different reasons. People with chronic or life-threatening diseases may seek clinical trials as a way to gain early access to promising new drugs. Some join for the extra attention they receive. Others take pride in assisting with the development of a new drug or device, bringing better health care to our community.

If you decide to participate in a clinical trial, your physician and a clinical research coordinator will speak with you about the trial before you give informed consent. They will discuss with you in an honest, straightforward manner exactly what the protocol involves, the potential side effects, the benefits and the patient¹s responsibility and commitment in the follow-up process.

Participating through Parkway Cardiology Associates

Parkway Cardiology clinical research department is regularly selected to conduct clinical trials. Our research team includes board certified cardiologists and clinical research coordinators. All of our coordinators are registered nurses with cardiology experience dedicated to conducting clinical trials.

Clinical research protocols are carefully designed to protect the volunteers involved in the research process. The FDA reviews every protocol prior to volunteer enrollment and throughout the trial. An institutional review board (IRB) approves each protocol. The role of the IRB is to ensure that the patient’s rights are protected; ensure that the informed consent lists all the information about the trial and to ensure the patient’s safety.

The physicians at Parkway Cardiology Associates actively support clinical research. Participation in a clinical trial is always voluntary and declining clinical research will never impact your heath care in the clinic.

If you are interested in learning more about clinical research please contact your physician or call the research department at Parkway Cardiology Associates at 865-482-4078.

Many heart patients take anticoagulation medication like Coumadin (warfarin), to help prevent stroke, blood clots, and other problems. These “blood thinners” slow the blood’s ability to clot.

The Parkway Cardiology Anticoagulation Clinic is designed to manage patients taking the anticoagulant, Coumadin, or the generic name, Warfarin or Jantoven.

The Anticoagulation Clinic is staffed by a registered nurse and pharmacist who are trained in anticoagulation management. Our nurse’s work closely with the patient’s cardiologist to ensure the patient is kept in a safe therapeutic range for their medical condition. The Anticoagulation Clinic nurses provide instructions for Coumadin dosing and testing each time the INR blood test is reviewed.

INR Testing

Parkway Cardiology patients may come into the clinic for a finger stick test. This is done by appointment only. The visit takes about 5-10 minutes. Patients receive their test results immediately, and the nurse instructs them on any necessary Coumadin dose adjustments, and when to schedule their next INR test. Patients receive a dosage calendar to follow until their next visit. Patients will have the opportunity to discuss any anticoagulation related issues with the nurse during the appointment.