New program on Staten Island targets elusive genetic heart condition

Northwell, Staten Island, N.Y.A new program has been launched by Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) to diagnose and treat a serious inherited cardiac ailment that frequently goes undiagnosed.

The abnormal thickening of the heart muscle is a characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). One in 200 to 500 people are impacted.

The Ocean Breeze hospital said that patients enrolled in the HCM Program will have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies like genetic screening, exercise stress echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

In severe circumstances, the illness can result in cardiac failure, impeded blood flow, and abnormal heart rhythms. According to a hospital release, one in three individuals with HCM are still asymptomatic, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.

The new program is one of several that have been launched in recent weeks, including a state-of-the-art program for hypertension and a program for preventative cardiology that focuses on strategies to prevent heart disease. The growth of the hospital’s cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery departments is consistent with all three.

A multidisciplinary team of experts, including experts in non-invasive cardiac imaging, cardiac electrophysiology, general cardiology, and genetic counseling, is part of the HCM Program.

The team is committed to providing patients with individualized care regimens that are catered to their particular needs, according to Dr. Eric Stahl, the physician head of the HCM Program.

Dr. Gregory Maniatis, director of structural heart disease; Dr. Geurys Rojas-Marte, director of heart failure; and Dr. Rina Shah, associate director of cardiac electrophysiology, are on the team.

According to Stahl, our objective is to enhance our patients’ quality of life while offering focused, efficient therapies for HCM. Our dedication to providing the Staten Island community with cutting-edge cardiac treatment is reflected in this program.

The hospital claims that the program also provides a variety of therapy choices, such as:

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  Advanced heart failure therapy
  
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  Alcohol septal catheter ablation
  
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  Surgical myomectomy
  
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  Defibrillator implantation
  
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  Exercise and lifestyle recommendations
  
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  Traditional and novel therapies for symptom management
  

The initiative also offers family screening and genetic counseling to prevent health issues in relatives who could potentially be at risk.

The partnership with Northwell Health’s research arm, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, strengthens the HCM Program.

The program runs in Brooklyn and several locations on Staten Island. Call (833) SI-HEART or stop by one of the program’s office locations to find out more or to make an appointment.