Maryland’s Health Matters - UMMS - Spring 2018 - 3

UMMC
SPOTLIGHT:

The aneurysm was dangerously close to bursting,
which could be fatal. His best

the thoracic aorta,"
Dr. Toursavadkohi says.
"We're the only center in

chance of survival was an

Maryland that offers this trial,"

experimental procedure called

says Bradley Taylor, MD,

investigational branched

associate professor of surgery

thoracic endovascular aortic

and co-director of the Center

repair (TEVAR) surgery. Moore

for Aortic Disease at UMMC.

was determined to do any-

Drs. Toursavadkohi and Taylor

thing that would give him

are co-investigators of this

a second chance. When he

groundbreaking clinical trial

heard that the procedure had

and performed Moore's

been successful at UMMC

surgery together.

and hospitals abroad, he

The procedure uses

knew it was worth a shot.

minimally invasive techniques

"We were chosen to

to insert a tube-shaped device

participate in a national

into the aorta to create a new

feasibility trial for this surgery

blood-flow pathway. The

because we're recognized

device provides surgeons with

as a high-volume center

greater access to the aorta

for conditions affecting

without open-heart surgery.
This translates into a shorter

Michael Moore

hospital stay and quicker
recovery time for patients. For
Moore, it meant he could return
home one week after surgery.
"This experience gave me a
new perspective on life itself.
It made me more responsible in caring for myself and
made me acknowledge that
things could be better," Moore
says. Moore's blood pressure
stabilized after surgery. He
relearned how to walk with
the help of in-home rehabilitation therapy, started eating
better and lost 20 pounds.
He currently sees Dr. Taylor
for his follow-up care.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the University of Maryland Heart
and Vascular Center and the treatments described in this
article, visit umbwmc.org/healthy.

HOW
MUCH
DO YOU
KNOW
ABOUT HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE?
Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and many don't even know they have it, according
to the American Heart Association. High blood pressure
can lead to serious health problems, including heart
attack and stroke. Get to know HBP better with these
myths and facts:

MYTH 1: You can't avoid
high blood pressure.
FACT: Actually, there
is plenty you can do. Eat
a healthy diet and get
regular exercise. Also,
maintain a healthy weight,
avoid smoking and control
stress levels.
MYTH 2: You can stop
taking medication when
you feel better.
FACT: Never stop taking
blood pressure medicine
unless your doctor says it's
OK. High blood pressure
can cause strokes and heart
problems. Medicine can
help you limit that risk.
The best way to know
if your blood pressure
is high is to get it checked.
It's quick and pain-free.

MYTH 3: You can tell
when you have high
blood pressure.
FACT: You can't feel high
blood pressure. That's why

it's often called "the silent
killer." That's also why you
get a blood pressure reading at every doctor's visit.

MYTH 4: You can limit
sodium by not adding
salt to food.
FACT: Yes, you should put
down the table salt. But
you also need to read food
labels. A lot of sodium is in
most packaged foods and
in fast food.

GET
SCREENED
UM BWMC offers
free blood pressure
screenings twice a month
at Harundale Presbyterian
Church (Eastway and
Guilford Road in Glen
Burnie). No reservations
needed. For dates
and times, visit
umbwmc.org/healthy.

http://www.umbwmc.org/healthy http://www.umbwmc.org/healthy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - UMMS - Spring 2018