Tag Archives: heart

Heart specialist has watched hospital grow, learned about deer hunting in the past 10 years

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Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2011. As a pediatric heart specialist, I have seen real growth at the hospital during that time. I came here from Chicago. The adjustment from the bustling city to the quiet community of Neenah took me some getting used to, but I love it.

When I started at Children’s Hospital-Fox Valley in January 2002, the clinics had about 160 patients and all of the clinics’ charts could fit on one rolling cart. Now, the charts fill a …Continue reading →

To act or not to act? There should be no question

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I’m proud to say I’m the father of three athletes. I’m lucky to say that none of my children have fallen victim to sudden cardiac arrest. But, what if this did happen? What if I wasn’t there? Would someone know how to help?

In addition to my role as dad, I also am a cardiologist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. One of the programs we offer is Project ADAM, an initiative that helps schools recognize …Continue reading →

Children’s Hospital employees Go Red for heart disease and stroke awareness

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You may have noticed a red hue illuminating the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin hallways this month. You also may have noticed employees wearing red throughout Children’s Hospital and Health System. These efforts support the fight against heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men. The Go Red initiative draws awareness to this and encourages people to take action to decrease their risk. These actions can be as simple as eating healthy and exercising.

If you are at risk for heart disease, try adjusting to a healthier diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, beans and legumes, lean meat and nuts. Also try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes, most days of the week.

Unfortunately, not everyone can prevent heart disease. For those patients at the Herma Heart Center, heart disease often is congenital. These patients also need support. If you’d like to show your support for our patients and those who are at risk for heart disease, join the CHHS employees – wear red on Friday, Feb. 11.

Heart health awareness can help save lives. If you or a loved one is experiencing chest discomfort, discomfort above the waist, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness, call 911 immediately. For more information about heart health, go to www.americanheart.org.

~ Maryanne Kessel, MBA, RN, administrative director, Herma Heart Center

A Kid at Heart: Living with Congenital Heart Disease as an Adult

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Jenni Sego and Cassie

Jenni, 39, was born with ostium primum atrial defect (a hole in the heart) and her daughter Cassie, 4, also was born with a heart defect. Both are patients at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Herma Heart Center.

I was first diagnosed with a heart defect in 1975 when I was 4 years old. I had open-heart surgery to repair a large hole between the two chambers. I grew up a very normal kid and never considered myself to be someone with a heart problem.

More than three decades later in 2008, it was discovered through an employee of mine that I had very high blood pressure …190/100! I tried to justify it with being a mom working third shift and chasing three kids around. At the urging of my family and the employee, I went to see my primary care doctor who immediately said I needed to see a cardiologist. I have not been to one since I was a child. I remembered my mom telling me about the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. She said Dr. Michael Earing was the person to see.

…Continue reading →

The power of hope and perseverance

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When people are forced to live with the fact of their mortality every day, they have two options. They can give up – after all, what’s the point in planning for the future when doctors predict that you don’t have long to live. Or, they can live with it, accept some limitations, but refuse to give up on their dreams. Dr. Pip Hidestrand, a resident at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, is an example of the latter case. This is her story.

I was born with a congenital heart defect and lung disease. By the age of 4 I had undergone three open heart surgeries and, as a result, I have spent my entire life aware of my precarious existence. While many physicians told my parents that I would not live past my teenage years, I did not let this deter me from my ambition to pursue a career in …Continue reading →