COLUSA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER,
Caring for our Community

CRMC and UC DAVIS MED CENTER CARDIOLOGISTS
TEAM UP TO DELIVER CARDIOLOGY CARE IN COLUSA

            Dr. Charles Whitcomb and Dr. William Lewis, board certified cardiologists, would like to remind everyone in the community that February is Healthy Heart Month which is a good time to raise awareness about what can be done to prevent heart disease or to regain a healthy heart if you have a heart condition.  Drs. Whitcomb and Lewis share their time between UC Davis Medical Center Cardiology Clinic and the Specialty Clinic at Colusa Regional Medical Center. The doctors have regularly scheduled hours in the Specialty Clinic to provide diagnostic consultations and to follow up with patients who need ongoing monitoring for heart conditions.

            According to Bruce Schaefer, Manager of Cardiopulmonary Services, “CRMC offers a wide range of diagnostic testing and services.  A patient’s initial testing for cardiovascular health may include an electrocardiogram and/or 24-hour Holter monitoring (electrical recording of the heart’s rhythm and function), or may include an “echo” cardiogram (sound waves on a computer screen show heart and blood flow function).  These painless tests can be performed in an outpatient, inpatient or emergency room setting based upon the patient’s condition and doctor’s orders.  When the physicians recommend invasive procedures such as heart catheterization, angioplasty or surgery, CRMC staff will work closely with the physicians to arrange for those procedures to be performed at UCD Medical Center or another area hospital.”

            A recent visit to the CRMC Specialty Clinic found Dr. Whitcomb examining one of his returning patients, Mrs. Barbara Swan.    According to Dr. Whitcomb, “Barbara is doing very well in maintaining her health following a heart attack 17 years ago.  She is a model patient.”  On this day, Barbara had made the 75 mile trip to Colusa from her home in Red Bluff for her routine follow-up exam.

 When asked why she came all the way to Colusa she said, “Oh, it is very convenient.  I also scheduled my mammogram and lab work in the hospital, and a visit with my primary care doctor, Dr. Guerrero – all in one trip.  Everyone here is so nice and they help me schedule all my appointments for the same day.”

When queried about her status as a model patient, she laughed and replied, “Oh, I could do better, but I do listen to what the doctor tells me.  The first thing I did was give up smoking.

After recovering from heart surgery, I listened to the nutritionist and started making changes in my diet.  At first it was hard to stay away from all the “bad” stuff, but I started reading the labels.  Boy was I surprised to see how much sodium and saturated fat is in food labeled “diet” or “low fat”.  Now I stay totally away from those prepackaged and frozen dinners which I used to think were good for you.  I like to cook, so I make everything from scratch.

I could do better about exercising but our road isn’t safe to walk along.  So, I find other places to walk like the malls and the Wal-Mart store.  I combine my shopping trips with exercise.

If my doctor says I am doing okay, then I guess what I am doing is working and it has been 17 years since my big scare.”

            Dr. Whitcomb encourages all patients to follow the healthy heart guidelines:  eat heart-healthy foods, exercise regularly, have an annual medical check up, stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight and strive for a balanced lifestyle.

            If you would like more information on heart health, nutritional counseling, or you need help in finding a doctor, you can contact the Colusa Regional Medical Center Specialty Clinic at (530) 458-3243, or log on to the CRMC website at www.ColusaMedicalCenter.org. 

Colusa Regional Medical Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer.