Jordan Valley Medical Center

The Future Is Now For women in need of a hysterectomy, minimally invasive options make having surgery as minimally disruptive as possible. After cesarean section surgery, hysterectomy is the second most common surgery among women in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. Whether hysterectomy has been recommended to treat excessive menstrual bleeding, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or another medical issue, a da Vinci® Surgical System procedure may be the best option for you. Available at Jordan Valley Medical Center, the state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical System allows physicians to perform hysterectomies through a few small incisions rather than the large, open one a traditional procedure requires. Beyond reduced scarring, da Vinci surgery patients also typically experience: Less pain and blood loss. Fewer complications. Faster recovery times. Shorter hospital stays. Behind the Robot A number of Jordan Valley surgeons on the medical staff perform da Vinci hysterectomies. The robotics system offers high-definition, 3-D visualization of the surgical site, which the surgeon views at a nearby console. From this console, the surgeon maintains complete control of the system’s robotic arms, which have specialized instrumentation for performing delicate movements. For more information about Jordan Valley Medical Center’s da Vinci Surgical System offerings, visit jordanvalleymc.com and search “da Vinci Women’s Procedures.” Love Your Heart Although heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among men and women in the United States, it is also one of the most preventable chronic conditions. When the heart cannot adequately pump blood to the rest of the body, it is known as heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, weakness, and swelling in the ankles or feet. Heart failure is more common in the elderly and those with a history of heart attacks. “One common myth about congestive heart disease is that it’s a death sentence,” says Kevin B. Johnson, M.D., cardiologist on the medical staff at Jordan Valley Medical Center. “However, there are many good treatments for heart failure that allow many people to live perfectly normal lives.” Know Your Risk A family medical history of the disease, age and gender are uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease. The most common causes of the disease, however, are modifiable lifestyle factors, including: Being overweight or obese. Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption. Lack of exercise. Poor diet. Smoking. Uncontrolled diabetes. “If you have one or more of these risk factors, speak with your primary care provider about reducing your risk for heart disease,” Dr. Johnson says. “Controlling risk factors through diet, exercise, weight control and — when appropriate — prescription medications can help delay or prevent heart failure.” Need a doctor to help you improve your health? Visit jordanvalleymc.com and select “Find a Physician” to search for a provider who is right for you.

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