GREENCASTLE,
Ind. – A prominent Franciscan St. Francis Health heart surgeon will lead a free
public Ask the Doc seminar on “Do you have a heart murmur?” at Putnam
County Hospital
Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Marc W. Gerdisch, MD, chief of cardiovascular and
thoracic surgery, will explain the significance of heart murmurs and latest
treatments for heart valve disease. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., with
refreshments being served at 6:00 p.m. in the hospital’s third-floor classroom
at 1542 S. Bloomington St.
Heart murmurs
are caused by valves inside the heart that don’t close properly. Sometimes
people can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms but if the
problem becomes more serious, the blood flow to the heart may be affected.
In 2008, Dr.
Gerdisch performed the world’s first procedure to repair
heart valves using technology enabling the heart to naturally regrow damaged
tissue. He has been an innovator in heart surgery at Franciscan St.
Francis Health and frequently presents internationally on novel heart valve
repair techniques. He also conducts ongoing landmark research in
next-generation heart valves and heart tissue regeneration.
The seminar is free, but registration is required
because of limited seating. To register, call 765-655-2620.
Those attending may be eligible for a free heart valve
echocardiogram screening at a later date.
Putnam County
Hospital recently
formed a partnership with Franciscan St. Francis Health.
This arrangement provides a full-time cardiology
clinic and outstanding cardiac support for patients in that area.
