Heart Health Remains Top Priority as Local Surgeon Shares Expertise
ST. JOSEPH, MO – Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Americans, but local physicians are making strides in improving heart health through new technologies and prevention methods. Dr. Jane Schwabe, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mosaic Life Care, has been working in the field since 1997 and emphasizes the importance of prevention in maintaining heart health, particularly in Northwest Missouri.
“The best way to treat a disease is to not let it ever happen,” Dr. Schwabe said. “Preventing heart disease, lung disease – things like that – starts in childhood.” Key preventive measures include understanding family history, proper nutrition, and avoiding smoking. Dr. Schwabe highlighted recent advancements in stent technology, particularly the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure, which allows for valve replacement without open-heart surgery.
“We’ve got what’s called a tab or program so we can do valve replacement without having to do open heart surgery,” Schwabe explained. This is particularly significant for conditions like aortic stenosis, which tends to affect older women more frequently. The American Heart Association reports that nearly half of Americans have some form of heart disease, making awareness and prevention crucial.
Dr. Schwabe also noted that symptoms can manifest differently, especially in women due to their generally smaller frames. New technologies like drug-eluting stents, which are coated with chemotherapy to reduce scar tissue growth, are among the advancements improving patient outcomes. By focusing on both prevention and cutting-edge treatments, Dr. Schwabe and her team at Mosaic Life Care are working to reduce the impact of heart disease in their community.
