PITTSBURGH — The average life expectancy in the United States is just over 77 years of age. Channel 11 dug deeper and learned it’s much lower for people who live in Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
In the North Side alone, the average life expectancy for residents is 10 years lower than nationwide.
A neighborhood hospital wants to change that.
Gregory Tot is living a new life after open heart surgery last year.
“I had 95 percent blockage in one vein and 70 something in the other two veins,” Tot said.
After triple bypass, he went through rehab and treatment; but then he started to wonder what was next.
“Patients who monitor their symptoms and vitals at home, those who are able to communicate that generally have a better cardiac health and reduced hospitalizations,” said Dr. Anita Radhakrishnan at Allegheny General Hospital.
That’s where AHN’s pilot “Heart to Heart” program comes into play.
“A lot of people don’t follow through with the treatments or what the doctor said, and this program makes me stay on track and keeps me focused, especially since I got to report every week,” Tot said.
Through the program, Tot has a Fitbit to track his heart rate, a scale and a blood pressure cuff to monitor his heart health.
“We are trying to help control cardiac risk factors and help reduce hospitalizations and reduce mortality,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said.
But what makes this program unique is it’s only for North Side residents.
“When we look at the number of patients that come into AGH with pure hypertension urgencies. We have patients, the numbers are close to 1,500 to 2,000 per year just from the North Side zip code,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said.
The goal is to have 500 North Side patients go through a yearlong tracking process in the next two years. So far, they have about 150 enrolled.
“You come out of it with a whole different perspective on life today is the most important thing and I can’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow,” Tot said. “I got to get the most out of today.”
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