Our Philosophy

Cancer of the Heart

At Santé we believe atherosclerosis is like “CANCER” of the heart! After all, you are far more likely to die of atherosclerosis than true cancer. We believe we can offer better outcomes to patients by an aggressive strategy of screening, identification and aggressive management. As an analogy, consider a woman with breast cancer. The surgeon will remove the tumor and then the patient enters a prolonged period of adjunctive therapy, often chemotherapy. This is coupled with routine imaging studies to check on the tumor spread with frequent visits for counseling and checkups.

Why should atherosclerosis, the number one cause of death in our country, be treated differently? If you develop a severe narrowing in an artery we can implant a stent or perform bypass surgery to address the “tumor”. After that, we should treat patients aggressively with “chemotherapy” (such as statins and aspirin), monitor the progress of the “tumor” with imaging studies and offer frequent counseling and check-ups.

Medical care the way patients should be treated– that’s the Santé difference.

Despite the most costly healthcare system in the world, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one cause of death and disability in the United States. Clearly the current system is broken, not only financially, but also in terms of keeping you well. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a disease of the elderly. One in six persons who die from CVD are under the age of 65. CVD is the leading cause of premature permanent disability. Something needs to change!

Ben Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Never before in our Healthcare system have these words resonated louder. David Walker, the United States Comptroller General recently spoke on ABC’s 60 minutes (July 8, 2007) claiming that problems with our current healthcare delivery system are “much more significant than social security”.

In a world where physician-to-patient ratios are soaring, quality face-to-face time with your doctor is diminishing, and lost time from extensive office waits is a daily occurrence, we need to strive for a practical, qualitative solution at a reasonable cost.

Early identification of cardiovascular disease or of potential cardiovascular health risks enables patients to take control of their lives. Management of these risks through dietary, lifestyle, and medical modifications, along with the continuous support of your personal team of Physicians, contributes to positive outcomes and a quality of life that is unparalleled for you and your loved ones.

Santé offers an alternative to traditional cardiovascular care. Typical Cardiology offices accommodate 3000-5000 patients per Provider seeing as many as 30+ patients per day! This is no fault of the practicing physician, however, our healthcare system rewards quantity versus quality of patient care and testing versus personal dialogue. At Santé we put YOUR health first. Patient care is paramount and service is uncompromised.

Our practice only works with a limited number of patients. This enables us get to know each of our patients on a personal basis and understand their unique health concerns.

This is the foundation of what we at Santé believe quality healthcare is all about; providing exceptional and integrated care based on a long-term relationship to closely monitor your individual progress. You are not just a number and a patient file to us – you’re a member of our family. So ask yourself, “What is an ounce of prevention really worth?”