Spectrum Health Offers Web Chats in May

Spectrum Health is offering three educational web chats in May. All Spectrum Health web chats can be accessed at spectrum-health.org/onlinechat.

Keeping the Beat: Treatment Options for Heart Rhythm Disorders
Darryl Elmouchi, MD, Spectrum Health Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute
Thursday, May 12 – Noon

Disruptions to the heart’s electrical system can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, which can have serious health effects. Symptoms include palpitations, a racing heart, dizziness, fainting and chest discomfort. Heart rhythm abnormalities are different from coronary artery disease, which can cause a heart attack because of blocked arteries. Rhythm abnormalities can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, when the heart suddenly stops beating. Darryl Elmouchi, MD, will discuss various treatment options for heart rhythm disorders, including lifestyle changes, medication, cardioversion, pacemakers, internal defibrillators and surgery.

Elmouchi is medical director of electrophysiology services for Spectrum Health Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute.

Stroke: Know the Signs. Act FAST
Archit C. Bhatt, MD, Spectrum Health Medical Group
Friday, May 13 – Noon

Like a heart attack, a stroke, or “brain attack”, is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Most strokes are preventable. It is important to understand what causes a stroke and what can be done to reduce personal risk. Archit Bhatt, MD, will answer questions about stroke. It is the leading cause of long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Bhatt is a fellowship-trained vascular neurologist specializing in the latest and most effective techniques to diagnose and treat stroke. He serves as medical director of Spectrum Health’s Stroke Centers at Blodgett and Butterworth hospitals.

What You Should Know About Osteopenia
Jeffry Knibbe, MD, Spectrum Health Medical Group
Thursday, May 19 – Noon

Most people concerned about bone loss have heard about osteopenia. Osteopenia refers to bone density values that are low, but still above the bone density value that is deemed to be osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that results in 1.5 million fractures each year. It’s estimated that 34 million Americans have low bone density. Knibbe will answer questions about restoring and maintaining strong, healthy bones.

Knibbe is a board-certified internal medicine physician who leads the Spectrum Health Osteoporosis Center’s clinical care team.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which includes nine hospitals and 180 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 625,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 17,700 employees. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.