When it’s bitterly cold outside, getting up and moving can be difficult. You crave comfort foods and cozy blankets. While it’s good to listen to your mental health needs, it’s also important to keep your heart in mind.
February is American Heart Month, which makes it the perfect time to introduce the newest member of our Cardiology team. Nurse Practitioner Michelle Overbye recently joined Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Brody and Nurse Practitioner Kristina Conner in providing full-time heart care services to our region.
In this role, she’ll be helping people being treated for heart conditions. She will be seeing patients at Fairview Mesaba Clinics in Hibbing and Mountain Iron, as well as Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital in Grand Rapids. Prior to this role, she worked as a nurse practitioner in the Fairview Range Emergency Department and at Grand Itasca as a family practice provider.
“Cardiac patients have been my favorite patient population,” says Overbye. “I’m excited to help people live healthier lifestyles and live better with their conditions.”
Cardiology Experts. Right Here.
Through a partnership with University of Minnesota Physicians (UMP), we provide our communities with world-class heart care, close to home. While Overbye, Conner, and Brody serve the Fairview Range and Grand Itasca communities full-time, they also work closely with UMP Cardiologists Dr. Ilknur Can and Dr. Valmiki Maharaj, who visit both locations on a monthly basis providing specialized heart care services. Device nurses Connie Roberts and Mark Bakken also see patients monthly for services like pacemaker checks.
Our cardiology team offers a full spectrum of heart care, including, but not limited to:
- Management of heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
- High risk of hypertension
- History of corneal artery disease
- Structural heart disease
- Valvular heart disease
- Screening and preventive services
- Care for heart rhythm disorders
- Follow-up care for surgery and interventional procedures
Healthy Life. Healthy Heart.
Doing simple things such as the following can make a big difference for your heart:
- Increase physical activity
- Decrease consumption of stimulants such as alcohol and cigarettes
- Schedule routine check-ups
- Stay on top of blood pressure and diabetes
- Make healthier food choices
- Mitigate stress
“Being heart-healthy makes a difference in your daily life and long-term health,” mentions Overbye. “It keeps people healthy, prevents chronic illnesses, and keeps them out of the healthcare system.”
Heart Illnesses
According to the CDC, “heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.”
Most Common Heart Diseases
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Arrhythmias
- Heart Valve Disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart Infection
To learn more about these heart diseases, read our Heart Disease 101 blog post.
Signs of a Heart Attack
A heart attack can happen to anybody. The signs are different for men and women, though.
In men, you should keep an eye out for:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Discomfort in lower or upper arms
- Nausea or lightheadedness
In women, you should also watch out for:
- Back or jaw pain
- Nausea or lightheadedness
According to Heart.org, “a heart attack strikes someone about every 43 seconds.”
If You Need It, Heart Help Is Here
Whether you or a loved one needs routine cardiac care or requires sudden, unexpected care, we’re here.
If you think you’re having heart issues, talk to your provider right away. They can refer you to our cardiology department, if needed. Preventative measures and taking good care of your health are very important to the heart.
“I want to empower people to care for themselves,” says Overbye. “Preventative care is my passion and that is a huge factor in great heart health.”
If you have the symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
