Good Samaritan Hospital

Please Join Us for Good Samaritan Hospital's First "Love Your Heart" Series Event on March 14th!

Learn More about Your Health by Clicking Through These Resources

If you're seeking healthcare in San Jose, head to the nationally recognized facilities at Good Samaritan Hospital. Explore our medical specialties and advanced treatment technologies on our website or call us at (888) 724-2362. Click through the links below for more information on our latest blog posts.

• In this factsheet from the National Diabetes Education Program, you will find details about the strong link between diabetes and heart disease. 
• Follow this link to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to learn how to take control of your cholesterol. 
• Do you know how high blood pressure impacts your health? This article from the FDA can give you a clearer picture of the effects of hypertension.
• To learn a variety of strategies for promoting physical activity in your life, read this booklet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
• ChooseMyPlate.gov has some excellent strategies for healthy dining when you eat out.

Understanding the Important Numbers for Your Heart Health

Now is the perfect time to review your personal risk for heart disease and take control of the factors that are contributing to that risk. You should work with your physician to get a complete picture of your heart health, because many of the most pressing risk factors can exist silently. When you speak with your doctor, here are the numbers that will be the primary focus of your discussion.

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is generally viewed as a negative influence in your body, but you do need some cholesterol to promote healthy digestion and hormone production. Problems only arise when you have too much LDL (bad) cholesterol and not enough HDL (good) cholesterol. A blood test will show your cholesterol levels and indicate whether you need to change your habits to lower LDL levels and prevent clogging in your arteries.

Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension is a common condition, but many patients who have it do not realize it. However, it is easy to check your blood pressure in a visit to the doctor, and you can easily lower your blood pressure when the problem is identified early.

Blood Sugar
If your blood sugar is elevated, you may have type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance that leads to this condition. This will significantly increase your risk for heart disease and pose an extra challenge when you are trying to get fit and healthy.

Weight
Being overweight does not necessarily increase your risk for heart disease, but it can be a problem if you do not regularly exercise and consume a balanced diet. Weight gain patterns are also important to health risks, as abdominal fat is more harmful to your body than subcutaneous fat that accumulates in the hips and thighs.

At Good Samaritan Hospital, we can help you fully understand your heart health and make the changes you need to avoid heart attack and stroke in your future. Explore our health education services—including our H2U healthy living program—by visiting our website or calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 724-2362.

Watch This Video to Learn to Eat for a Healthy Heart

When you think of the dietary changes you need to make for better heart health, you might be scared off by images of bland health food and plain steamed vegetables. However, you can continue to consume a vibrant and flavorful assortment of foods while still remaining healthy.

This video offers some tips to help you identify healthier foods that you will still want to eat. One of the keys to better eating is planning, which will allow you to shop smarter and cook better meals at home even when you are short on time. Watch the whole video for additional guidance on changing your diet for the better.

Good Samaritan Hospital can offer you ongoing support as you make healthy changes for your heart. You can see a list of our upcoming seminars and events for health education, or contact us at (888) 724-2362 to find answers to your health questions.

What Are the Advantages of da Vinci Robotically Assisted Surgery?

Surgical technologies have evolved significantly through the past several decades, and a large shift has been made in favor of minimally invasive techniques that pose fewer risks than traditional open surgeries. The da Vinci Robotically Assisted Surgical System is the pinnacle of minimally invasive surgical technologies, and we are proud to feature it across a number of specialized departments at Good Samaritan Hospital. Here is a look at the benefits of this surgical method that have led us to invest in it for our patients.

Less Patient Discomfort
All da Vinci Surgical procedures are performed through laparoscopic incisions that are only big enough for microsurgical tools to pass through. This means that fewer healthy structures need to be disturbed to reach the surgical site. The result is reduced pain during and after the procedure, and this allows for the use of safer methods of anesthesia and post-operative pain control.

Fewer Surgical Risks
The smaller entry site of da Vinci Surgeries not only reduces patient pain, but it also lessens surgical risks such as blood loss and infection. Because there are fewer concerns for complications, patients can spend less time in the hospital after surgery, and this means a lower cost for the surgical procedure.

Predictable Surgical Outcomes
Surgeons are enthusiastic about the da Vinci Surgical System, with many describing it as an extension of their own hands. The surgical tools are operated remotely by a surgeon viewing the procedure in real-time through a high definition camera. No other system allows such an accurate surgical view and precise control that creates the most predictable and consistent surgical outcomes for even the most delicate procedures.

If you want to explore the state-of-the art technologies featured at Good Samaritan Hospital, you can read about our cardiac, cancer, and women’s care on our website. You can also connect with us through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 724-2362 or our iTriage Symptom Checker App for smart devices.