It takes a caring heart to care for the hearts of patients who visit University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center
By Ken McEntee
Growing up running track at West Geauga High School and playing tennis at Ohio Northern University, Rachel DeCapite understood at a young age how being active is good for your heart. Now as a certified nurse practitioner (CNP), she is helping others improve their heart health.
Specializing in interventional cardiology at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Geauga Medical Center, Rachel provides many of the same services a cardiologist does.
“Many people don’t realize that certified nurse practitioners have their own patients they see regularly,” says Rachel. “I have patients ranging in age from a teenager who I am treating for palpitations to a 102-year-old who had a valve replacement seven years ago and I monitor her to make sure it stays in good condition.”
“A certified nurse practitioner is an extension of a cardiologist,” she says. “We spend more time with patients and get to know them and their health issues, and then we can order any appropriate tests. If patients require a procedure or surgery, I refer them to a cardiologist.”
One of the common screening tests is the CT Coronary Calcium Scoring Test, which is offered at no cost to patients at University Hospitals.
“This test looks at the major arteries to see any calcification of the heart at very early stages,” she explains. “The CT scan provides a score based on how much plaque you have; the higher the score, the higher your risk of coronary disease. If your calcification number is high, we encourage patients to establish care with a CNP or cardiologist so we can prevent further blockages in the heart.”
“I recommend this screening for males over the age of 40, females age 45 and over, and for smokers or those with other health issues,” says Rachel, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Ohio Northern University, bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ursuline College, and a master’s degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University. “There is so much high-tech equipment available at UH Geauga Medical Center that helps us correctly diagnose and treat patients.”
Although it is conveniently located close to home in a friendly, intimate environment, the University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Geauga Medical Center can perform the same cardiac or vascular procedures, except for open-heart surgery, as the main campus downtown.
It is not just the state-of-the-art technology, however, that patients love. They are also able to get more personalized care in a smaller hospital setting.
As a mother of four children, Rachel has a very caring and approachable demeanor. She takes time to talk to patients and gets to know them.
From treating patients with chest pain and heart palpitations to those with chronic high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, she often is the conduit between a primary care physician and cardiologist.
“You never should wait to seek care if you have chest pains and other heart-related symptoms,” cautions Rachel. “Even if you cannot come in the office for the visit, we can do a TeleHealth visit via video or phone call.”
Heart Health
When you need to be seen quickly, a certified nurse practitioner can assess your symptoms, order any necessary tests and, if necessary, refer you to a cardiologist to further evaluate your condition.
UH Geauga Medical Center has certified nurse practitioners who specialize in interventional cardiology, so book an appointment for evaluation if you have any of these issues:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol
To schedule an appointment, call 440-901-6104. University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center is located at 13207 Ravenna Road, in Chardon. Learn more by visiting UHhospitals.org/Geauga.