Wellstar Heart Care

For nearly 30 years, Madge Hand knew something was going on with her body, but never determined what was causing her head-spinning health issues. 

She had been in and out of several hospitals, looking for answers and trying different treatments, but her physicians couldn’t pinpoint the right diagnosis. 

Now with the help of Wellstar experts, Madge is managing her dysautonomia – a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions like heart rate – so she can get her health back on track.

A Dizzying Diagnosis

Madge, 79, started noticing symptoms when she was in her 50s. When she moved from lying down to sitting up or from sitting up to standing, her blood pressure would drop drastically — going as low as 60 over 30, compared to the normal level of about 120 over 80. Her doctors at the time were unable to determine the issue. She also experienced frequent nausea and was unable to eat.

She started rehab for general weakness. When she later broke her hip due to dizziness, she struggled to complete rehab because when she tried to walk, her blood pressure would drop and she would feel faint.

Madge has some answers and is now working with Wellstar’s autonomic program, one of only a few programs in the country certified to treat these disorders, to get back on track.

It turned out that Madge has dysautonomia — her autonomic nervous system isn’t working like it should, which affects her blood pressure and makes her feel faint. She is also managing her orthostatic hypotension, which causes her blood pressure to change suddenly when she stands. To prevent her blood pressure from suddenly dropping, she takes a steroid to keep it higher, along with midodrine, a medication used to treat orthostatic hypotension.

Only a few specialized programs are certified to treat autonomic disorders, but Madge can get the personalized care she needs close to home. Dr. Howard Snapper, a Wellstar cardiovascular disease specialist, is one of fewer than 50 physicians in North America board-certified to diagnose and treat these conditions. The autonomic center at Wellstar treats disorders of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions like heart rate, temperature, sweating and digestion.

Convenient, Expert Care

Madge’s first appointment with Dr. Snapper was virtual, keeping care convenient. As Wellstar has one of only two autonomic disorder programs in the Southeast, patients can travel long distances to see specialists. Virtual appointments remove barriers to care for autonomic disorders, and the program recently expanded care with two new advanced practice providers.

“Sometimes, the symptoms of autonomic disorders can be confused with signs of other conditions,” Dr. Snapper said. “However, Madge had many of the common symptoms, including sudden changes in blood pressure, nausea and fainting.”

Madge said she is grateful that the health issues she has been dealing with for almost 30 years are now being addressed.

“Since I started working with Dr. Snapper, I feel so much better,” Madge said. “Now I can complete my rehab, and I know how to keep my blood pressure under control.”

Wellstar offers virtual appointments with the autonomic program, as well as in-person visits in Woodstock. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Snapper, call (678) 324-4400.

When it comes to getting high-quality care for your heart, you can count on Wellstar.

Because we know well starts with healthy hearts, we offer leading expertise, innovative treatments and compassionate care to protect your cardiovascular health.

From heart attacks and rehabilitation to cardiac surgery and psychological support, your heart is in expert hands at Wellstar.

High-tech heart treatments

As part of the largest Emergency Cardiac Care Center (ECCC) network in Georgia, Wellstar ensures world-class heart care is never far away.

Our cardiac experts are ready to treat patients like Brett Faucett at the first signs of a heart attack. We use high-tech equipment — including electrocardiograms (EKG), chest X-rays and cardiac catheterization — to diagnose heart attacks quickly.

Getting the right care can minimize or even prevent heart damage. That’s why Wellstar relies on the most advanced treatments, such as Shockwave technology, medicines and life-saving cardiac surgery, to effectively prevent and treat heart attacks as fast as possible.

Wellstar Kennestone Hospital has a new cardiac hybrid operating room, bringing a catheterization lab and surgery suite together in one place. With catheter-based procedures, our interventional cardiologists can provide expert, minimally invasive heart attack care.

We also perform structural heart procedures, including valve repairs and replacements, along with cardiac surgery and electrophysiology procedures that can determine the cause of heart rhythm problems.

At Wellstar, we don’t just treat heart conditions when they happen. Our providers also offer world-class preventative care, helping people like Latoya Jordan catch chronic conditions — such as high blood pressure — at the very start.

That way, you can continue to be the healthiest you.

Care that never skips a beat

If an on-going heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), is keeping you down, Wellstar has a team of experts who can help.

When Frank Ryan’s heart had trouble keeping pace and kept him from playing the tuba, he felt off-beat in everyday life. After getting specialized care at Wellstar, he’s back in the band again.

Wellstar Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Narendra Kanuru shared state-of-the-art treatments available for heart rhythm disorders.

“Along with advanced medical therapies, we have numerous interventional or surgical therapies, including pacemakers, defibrillators and other advanced cardiac devices as well as cardiac catheter ablation,” Dr. Kanuru said.

Cardiac catheter ablation is a non-surgical procedure available at Wellstar that helps restore a regular heart rhythm by blocking abnormal electrical signals.

With the latest advances in electrophysiology at Wellstar, we’re keeping hearts going strong.

Hope for heart failure

Wellstar also provides expert care for people with congestive heart failure like Bow Matthews. The husband and father-of-two found support from our Heart Failure Academy and learned how to take care of his well-being for the long haul.

To help prevent heart failure flare-ups, Wellstar offers a remote heart monitoring technology that provides real-time health information to our providers.

“With heart failure, as with all health issues, it’s best to take preventative action and stop problems from occurring,” said Dr. Hans Lee, Medical Director for the Wellstar Congestive Heart Failure program. “Monitoring your heart health and staying in touch with your cardiologist can help keep you out of the hospital and keep your heart in shape.”

For those whose hearts need extra assistance like Mike Clements, a left ventricular assistance device (LVAD) can be a game-changer. An LVAD is a battery-powered pump that is surgically implanted to help the heart more effectively pump blood.

"An LVAD gives patients with severe heart failure the opportunity to get their lives back,” said Dr. Brian Howard, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure & LVAD program at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. “These life-saving devices are powerful enough to take over for the failing heart. They allow patients to enjoy life with their loved ones as they await a heart transplant, and in some cases, they even serve as an alternate to a heart transplant entirely.”

At the Heart Failure Clinic at Wellstar Cobb Hospital and the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, trained experts provide specialized care for those with heart failure and LVAD implants, helping to improve quality of life.

After Mike received his LVAD implant, he was able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. Thanks to advanced technology available at Wellstar, patients with heart failure can keep doing what matters most.

Specialized support services

Wellstar has dedicated resources to help people with cardiac conditions find support.

Following a medical event like a heart attack or other serious cardiac problem, Wellstar offers cardiac rehabilitation to get people back on track.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically monitored program that provides education, support and lifestyle modifications. Our team helps you learn heart-healthy behaviors and lower your risk for future heart issues.

However, we understand health journeys aren’t just about physical healing. Dealing with heart issues can also cause many difficult mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.

“At Wellstar, we wanted to build out a program just for our cardiovascular patients because behavioral health and cardiac health are really closely connected,” said Dr. Shawn Coyne, Wellstar Director of Health Psychology & Cardiac Psychologist. “In fact, cardiac patients are three times more likely to be depressed than the general population.”

After living with three chronic heart conditions for years, John Petrick found solace in meeting with a Wellstar cardiac psychologist. Now, he’s learned new coping skills and how to prioritize his mental well-being.

With Wellstar’s support services at the ready, patients with complex conditions can better understand themselves and their overall health.

Care to keep your heart healthy

No matter what your cardiovascular concerns may be, Wellstar is dedicated to helping people with heart conditions live life to the fullest.

Learn more about how Wellstar is protecting heart health in Georgia, and how you can take control of your cardiac health.

Wellstar Paulding Hospital is now offering device implantations and catheter ablations in a new, state-of-the-art heart care lab, expanding the hospital’s cardiology services.

If you have a heart rhythm disorder and need a permanent cardiac device like a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted, Paulding’s cardiologists now offer these procedures close to home with qualified, compassionate providers who will take the time to get to know your needs. 

Your care team will continue to support you after the device is implanted, too. Your electrophysiologist will ensure your device continues to work properly and check the battery life, and you’ll be able to work with our experts to create a personalized diet, exercise, lifestyle and medication plan to keep your heart in top shape.

Paulding also offers another solution for arrhythmia — catheter ablations. During this procedure, a small tube is inserted into a blood vessel, then guided to the heart to scar areas of tissue that are causing the abnormal heart rhythm. The scars block the electrical impulses that cause the abnormal rhythm. 

Wellstar Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Anand Kenia is performing these procedures at Paulding and sees patients in Hiram. To make an appointment with Dr. Kenia, call (678) 324-4444.