Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Experiencing a pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. In addition to all the steps to prepare for the healthy new arrival of her baby, an expecting mom should also make a point of checking in on her own health — especially when it comes to her heart. A woman’s body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, including increased blood volume and heart rate. These changes help supply the growing fetus with oxygen and nutrients. However, pregnancy can also trigger heart-related complications in some women. Expectant mothers should discuss any concerns about their cardiovascular health with their provider. …

Hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, mood changes. They’re all changes synonymous with menopause. But there’s another symptom of menopause many women may not be aware of: increased risk of heart disease. Most women experience menopause (the end of their monthly periods) in their late 40s or early to mid-50s. Certain menopause-related biological changes, including a decrease in estrogen production, can cause women to accumulate belly fat. The added weight can lead to abdominal obesity, a known risk factor of heart disease. At the same time, as women age, they’re more likely to develop high blood pressure and have higher…

Sisters Laura Smith and Marie Sartori grew up dreaming of being mothers. They’d often role-play with Barbies or baby dolls. Just two years apart, the sisters now have three children each. Marie welcomed her third child — a baby girl — at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Family Birth Place in March. Laura returned to the Family Birth Place in May for her third delivery. “It feels surreal to go through this chapter of my life with my sister — my best friend,” Laura says. “We communicate daily about sleep schedules, mom hacks or best products.” “We love each other’s kids like our…

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we believe every patient is unique. And that’s why your surgery should be, too. We personalize each procedure based on your specific needs, medical background and anatomy. This makes surgeries safer. Patients experience a faster recovery and better long-term results. What Is a Personalized Surgery Plan? A personalized surgery plan uses the newest technologies, including 3D imaging and robotic-assisted tools. We customize procedures to each patient’s needs. By understanding your medical history and examining your detailed imaging scans, our expert surgeons perform procedures with greater precision and less risk. “One of the most important aspects of…

A year ago, if you were to have asked Rebecca Bohn what she most appreciated in her life, her answer likely would have been different than it is today. Now, things some people consider insignificant are much higher on her list. “I’m just so thankful for the littlest things that are actually the biggest things,” says Rebecca. “Like being able to walk on my own, talk on my own and eat on my own. The very little things, like being able to brush my own hair and teeth, do things with my friends and family, or take my dogs for…

When it comes to your family’s medical history, having detailed information is invaluable. Carrie Anderson, MS, LGC, a Genetic Counselor at St. Elizabeth, explains that while many people know a relative had a “heart condition,” healthcare recommendations can vary widely depending on whether it was coronary artery disease, a heart valve disorder, an abnormal heart rhythm, or another condition. Gaining a clear understanding of your family’s heart disease history is a vital step in managing your own health risks. Gathering Family History Information The best way to learn about your family’s health history is to talk directly with your relatives.…

As a new parent, you want to do everything right for your baby — including helping them sleep safely. But with so many products online and trending on social media, it’s hard to know what’s truly safe. “Some products may look cozy or promise better sleep, but they may increase the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),” says Neonatal Intensive Care Educator Stefanie Clarke, BSN, CCRN. “Even popular or trendy items can be unsafe for sleep.” Let’s talk about what’s safe for your baby — and what’s not. What Safe Sleep Looks Like The American Academy of…

Larry began his cancer treatment in Cincinnati. But within a few weeks, he realized he needed a change. The long-time Anderson Township resident called the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth — Edgewood. He felt shocked when Dr. Doug Flora, MD, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, spent an hour talking to him. In this episode of Rounding with Patients, Larry shares why he decided to switch to St. Elizabeth, even though it was a 25-minute drive from home. Q: Why Did You Switch Your Cancer Care to St. Elizabeth? The first place I got care…

Holly Shares Why She Traveled from Anderson Township for Treatment Holly was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in January 2022, and it completely rocked her world. Anxious to begin treatment as quickly as possible, she met with a care team at a hospital in Cincinnati. The first step was to have surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. After the surgery, Holly met with the care team to discuss the next steps. That’s when she realized she didn’t feel comfortable continuing with them. So, she called a high school friend for advice. That friend happened to be Doug…

There are times when it’s good to be first and times when, perhaps, you’d rather not be. Deep in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dustin Clark experienced both as the first ECMO patient treated at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. ECMO — extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — is a technology that helped some of the nation’s sickest COVID-19 patients survive respiratory failure. It uses a machine to oxygenate blood, remove carbon dioxide outside the body and then return it with the aid of a pump. By taking over the lungs’ workload, it provides the lungs time to rest and heal. Similar treatment…