In case of emergency
Prescriptions
The FACC Advisory on Statins
If You Are On Coumadin (Blood Thinner) Therapy
Read about the Coumadin Care Clinic
If You Require a Hospital Stay
If You Are Being Treated for Valvular Disease
If You Have A Pacemaker
If You Have Had a Laboratory Test

In case of emergency
Time is important in treating cardiac problems. If you have an emergency, call 911.

If you have prolonged chest discomfort that is not relieved by taking 3 nitroglycerin tablets at 5 minute intervals, call 911.

The emergency room will notify us and one of our physicians will be responsible for your care. At least two of our physicians are on call 24 hours a day. In an emergency situation, you may see a cardiologist from our group who is new to you. Please remember that all of our physicians are highly qualified and equally concerned about your care.

Patients with emergencies are always seen immediately. If your problem is not an emergency, please call our office during business hours for assistance. Routine phone calls and questions about a patient's condition should be made before 5:00 p.m. so that a doctor familiar with the patient can respond.

Prescriptions
All of your medications should be prescribed during office hours, preferably during an office visit. Refills can be obtained by having your pharmacist call our office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The FACC Advisory on Statins
In response to an increased number of inquiries from ACC members regarding how to respond to patient reaction to Baycol's withdrawal from the market and to inquiries on the general safety of statins, the College, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, has developed an advisory, which was distributed to the media Aug. 30.

The College has also developed a FAQ sheet for members and other physicians to use as a guide in discussions with patients. In addition, the College is considering whether a brief scientific statement designed to provide members with more specific information would be appropriate. Your input on the usefulness of such a document would be appreciated.

The College will continue to monitor this issue and will make every attempt to respond as necessary and in support of member and patient needs. All members are encouraged to contact the College to offer feedback on this effort and the issue in general. Please send your feedback to statins@acc.org

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If You Are On Coumadin (Blood Thinner) Therapy
Please inform the receptionist if you are on Coumadin therapy because you will need to have periodic prothrombin time (Pro-time) tests. It is important to have a Protime done when specified by your doctor. This will be approximately once every four weeks, once your dose is stabilized. Please call our office by 3:00 p.m. the day the test is done for instructions. It may be necessary to adjust your blood thinner medication.

Always take the exact amount of Coumadin prescribed by your cardiologist -- never take more or less! You should not begin taking any additional medications, such as antibiotics, or over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin or aspirin-containing medications, without contacting your cardiologist first. These drugs could affect the amount of blood thinner you require and the frequency of your checkups. On the other hand, do not discontinue taking any medication unless instructed by your cardiologist, as the same problem may occur. Avoid any drastic changes in your eating habits. Fad or crash diets can affect your response to your anticoagulant therapy.

Let your cardiologist know immediately if you need dental work, surgery or treatment for a severe injury such as a broken bone, or if you develop an infection. Inform your doctor if you develop excessive bleeding from a cut, bleeding from your nose or mouth, or any bleeding that does not stop within a reasonable amount of time. Excessive menstrual bleeding, blood in your urine, red or black bowel movements, or any sudden appearance of black and blue spots on your skin are also important symptoms to bring to your cardiologist's attention.

If you should develop any of these symptoms, just call our office. You may need to stop your anticoagulant medication and schedule a Protime.

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If You Require a Hospital Stay
In the hospital, you may see more than one of our cardiologists. Each will review your chart before every visit and will be familiar with your situation. Every procedure and all medications are given under our direction. If you have any questions about your treatment, please ask your cardiologist. We want your hospital stay and your recovery time to be as brief and pleasant as possible.

If You Are Being Treated for Valvular Disease
Patients being treated for valvular disease need to receive antibiotic medication if scheduled for dental or surgical procedures. Please contact the office so your cardiologist can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic for you.

If You Have A Pacemaker
Pacemakers need to be checked periodically. Our Pacemaker Care Center is dedicated to the specialized care of patients with pacemakers. Scheduled hours have been set aside for the Pacemaker Care Center. Please call our office at (302)-452-3456 for an appointment. A member of our Pacemaker Care Team will return your call.

Transtelephonic Pacemaker Check
Call 302-452-8914

If You Have Had a Laboratory Test
Please call our office 10 days after any test has been performed to check on the results. Patients on blood thinner therapy should call for their Protime test results by 3:00 p.m. on the day the test was performed. Routine Protime tests should not be performed on the weekend.

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