“Weekend Warrior” Physical Activity Provides Similar Heart-Related Benefits As More Regular Exercise
Study results suggest that engaging in some physical activity, regardless of pattern, helps protect against a range of cardiovascular conditions.
Corrigan Minehan Heart Center
Contact Us
Corrigan Minehan Heart Center
55 Fruit Street
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 866-644-8910
Email: mghheartcenter@partners.org
Since the 1970s, the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Corrigan Minehan Heart Center has provided patients with the most clinically advanced care by being at the forefront of new heart failure medications and devices, including the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques.
A multidisciplinary team made up of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, transplant surgeons, nurse practitioners and nurses work together to determine the best line of treatment for every patient. Other health care professionals, such as nutritionists, physical therapists and pharmacists, also contribute to the heart failure patient’s care. Together this team discusses the medical approach to treating patients with severe heart failure. When needed, they also determine appropriate surgical treatment, such as heart transplantation.
If a patient is a candidate for heart transplantation, the same team of physicians is available every step of the way, both before and after transplant. The Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant team also consults with psychiatrists and social workers who have particular expertise in the treatment of advanced heart disease to ease the process and relieve stressors.
Specialists within the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Corrigan Minehan Heart Center use advanced therapies to treat patients with congestive heart failure and other conditions that might require a cardiac transplant. All of our physicians are experts in diagnosing and treating heart failure, but also are well-versed in treating the following complex conditions:
Our physicians are leaders in treating complex heart conditions or any condition that requires a cardiac transplant. For example, our team is familiar with heart transplantation for patients with amyloidosis, a condition that impairs the function of multiple organs and demands the input of several medical subspecialties. Because of the breadth of our experience, complex patients receive the best possible treatment outcome.
Our cardiac surgeons are also experts in the use of ventricular-assist devices (VADs) either as destination therapy (an alternative to transplantation) or as a bridge while awaiting a donor organ. Physicians at Mass General performed the first mitral valve repair in the United States on the SMMART trial, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health to determine whether mitral valve repair can stabilize or reverse dilated cardiomyopathy.
Our cardiologists work closely with patients and referring physicians to introduce preventive and early treatment measures to delay or avoid hospitalization. These advanced medical treatments include:
Depending on the cause and severity of heart failure, surgery may be required for some patients. Our physicians are experts in treating patients using complex or combination surgical procedures. Surgical options might include:
When appropriate, innovative medical treatments, often using advanced technology such as home telemetry or continuous ambulatory hemodynamic monitoring, is recommended to help improve a patient’s well-being.
All of our physicians are on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, which means they not only have a mission to provide the best possible patient care but also a commitment to educate the next generation of medical professionals and develop innovations in heart failure treatment.
Our patients also have access to the most advanced research and innovative medical therapies and devices within clinical trials. Part of a network of sophisticated centers for heart failure research, created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Mass General is a regional research center for high quality and rapid clinical research in heart failure.
Mass General is one of the few select centers in the nation to be awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health in the area of heart transplantation. Our researchers are currently studying how to decrease organ rejection in patients who are highly sensitized (patients who have a lot of antibodies, making it difficult to match appropriate organs).
Heart failure can lead to the recommendation of a heart transplant. Heart failure can be brought on by a variety of heart diseases. The most common reason for heart transplants include:
Our multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurse practitioners and nurses develop a customized care plan for every patient. All of our specialists are experts in diagnosing and treating heart failure as well complex cardiac conditions.
Virtual visits allow you to conveniently meet with your provider from home—either online (over your computer or device) or by phone.
We are ready to care for you—whatever your health care needs may be. We are committed to providing the very best and safest care possible.
Our physicians welcome second opinion appointments to review cases and proposed lines of treatment.
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The Heart Transplant Program successfully completed its 750th transplant on Sunday, April 30. Since the hospital’s first heart transplant in 1985, the Heart Transplant Program has grown into the highest annual volume program in New England.
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The workshop outlined research opportunities to identify and treat patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) who are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest and death.
Call us to learn more, or request an appointment online.