
Home About Us Links Archive Feedback Disclaimer	Patient of the Month May, 2000 Norris Wood Norris Wood was first evaluated in our office by Dr. Chen in 1993. He was found to have problems with two heart valves as well as one blocked coronary artery. He underwent replacement of his mitral valve, repair of his tricuspid valve and a single vessel coronary bypass graft in March 1993. Postoperatively, his recovery was complicated by the occurrence of an irregular heart rhythm, which was successfully converted back to normal rhythm by electrical cardioversion. Since then, he has remained on coumadin, a blood thinner, to prevent clots from forming on his mechanical heart valve. Coumadin medication requires frequent blood testing to evaluate the thinness of the blood. Mr. Wood proved to be extremely diligent and compliant in taking his coumadin for several years. Dr. Chen felt that Mr. Wood was an excellent candidate for a home coumadin monitoring device to use along with physician guidance. This device has allowed Mr. Wood to monitor his blood levels at home, saving him a lot of money, driving and time. After checking his blood at home, Mr. Wood contacts Dr. Chen's office and receives guidance on how to properly adjust his Coumadin dose if necessary. Since his surgery, Mr. Wood has maintained a fairly vigorous exercise program. This program consists of weight lifting, riding a stationary bike, a Nordic Track and a street bike. He has ridden in the Solvang century bike ride three times and has ridden the Big Bear loop (San Bernardino, up Hwy 38 to Big Bear, down through Running Springs, Crestline, and back to San Bernardino) once since his surgery. He does not consider his heart to be a limiting factor in his life at all. A significant family history of heart disease exists in the Wood family including his father, brother and sister. Mr. Wood feels very fortunate that his heart condition was diagnosed early and that he has been able to live a lifestyle that includes very little if any restrictions Mr. and Mrs. Wood receiving his Patient of the Month gift basket and certificate with office staff. Top of Page

Material copyright © 1999-2005 Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group is prohibited.

Patient of the Month

May, 2000

Norris Wood

Patient of the Month Norris Wood was first evaluated in our office by Dr. Chen in 1993. He was found to have problems with two heart valves as well as one blocked coronary artery. He underwent replacement of his mitral valve, repair of his tricuspid valve and a single vessel coronary bypass graft in March 1993.

Postoperatively, his recovery was complicated by the occurrence of an irregular heart rhythm, which was successfully converted back to normal rhythm by electrical cardioversion. Since then, he has remained on coumadin, a blood thinner, to prevent clots from forming on his mechanical heart valve. Coumadin medication requires frequent blood testing to evaluate the thinness of the blood. Mr. Wood proved to be extremely diligent and compliant in taking his coumadin for several years. Dr. Chen felt that Mr. Wood was an excellent candidate for a home coumadin monitoring device to use along with physician guidance. This device has allowed Mr. Wood to monitor his blood levels at home, saving him a lot of money, driving and time. After checking his blood at home, Mr. Wood contacts Dr. Chen's office and receives guidance on how to properly adjust his Coumadin dose if necessary.

Since his surgery, Mr. Wood has maintained a fairly vigorous exercise program. This program consists of weight lifting, riding a stationary bike, a Nordic Track and a street bike. He has ridden in the Solvang century bike ride three times and has ridden the Big Bear loop (San Bernardino, up Hwy 38 to Big Bear, down through Running Springs, Crestline, and back to San Bernardino) once since his surgery. He does not consider his heart to be a limiting factor in his life at all.

A significant family history of heart disease exists in the Wood family including his father, brother and sister. Mr. Wood feels very fortunate that his heart condition was diagnosed early and that he has been able to live a lifestyle that includes very little if any restrictions

Mr. and Mrs. Wood receiving his Patient of the Month gift basket and certificate with office staff.

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Material copyright © 1999-2005 Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Riverside Cardiology Associates Medical Group is prohibited.