Jan. 22, 2019

Heart health is the focus of February’s Lewis Ginter sessions

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By Dedrain Davis

VCU Health will host a series of events dedicated to heart health at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in February. (Photo courtesy of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)
VCU Health will host a series of events dedicated to heart health at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in February. (Photo courtesy of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

VCU Health resumes its educational seminar series with programs dedicated to Heart Month. Seminars are held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in the Kelly Education Center, 1800 Lakeside Ave. All seminars are free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. For more information or to register, go to vcuhealth.org/events or call (804) 628-0041. If you are unable to attend, you can watch the seminars live on the VCU Health Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vcuhealth/.

Tuesday, Feb. 5
“Cancer Treatment and Heart Disease: Making the Connection”

Cardiovascular disease is an increasing concern for men and women treated for cancer. Due to cancer treatment’s stress on the heart, cardiovascular events are often the primary cause of death for women with breast cancer, recently exceeding the number of deaths caused directly by the cancer. One-third of women treated for breast cancer develop fatigue that does not resolve, making it difficult to return to work. Cardio-oncology is an emerging field that helps patients protect their heart functions during and after cancer treatment. Join Gregory Hundley, M.D., director of VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, to learn about advances being made in cardio-oncology. 

Tuesday, Feb. 12
“How to Put Your Best Self Forward to Reduce Your Cardiovascular Risk”

According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 3 adults have cardiovascular diseases. Can you reduce your risk of heart disease? Absolutely. For example, did you know that volunteering at least 200 hours per year can reduce your risk of hypertension by 40 percent? Join Phoebe Ashley, M.D., cardiologist at VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, to learn about the risk factors that impact heart health, how men and women's risk factors are similar and different, and lifestyle modifications that can put you on the path to a healthier heart.

Wednesday, Feb. 27
“Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation”

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart-rhythm disorder, but it remains complicated to treat. VCU Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in the country to use hybrid ablation — a process that combines a surgical procedure and catheter ablation to treat atrial fibrillation. Join Kenneth Ellenbogen, M.D., and Vigneshwar Kasirajan, M.D., from the Pauley Heart Center, to learn about the hybrid ablation and its benefits.