Lake Chelan Health: Meet Michelle Nguyen, PA-C

So when her recruiter told her about an opportunity to build a practice at a new hospital facility in the heart of Washington State, the idea lit a spark that was fanned into flames as the application and interview process continued.

“I heard about this lakeside resort town, surrounded by mountains with four seasons of outdoor activities” said Nguyen. It was intriguing, but Nguyen was sold after an in-person interview with the hospital’s hiring board.

Nguyen was impressed by the philosophy of Lake Chelan Health. “They are so patient and community focused,” she said. “People come first and the community looks out for each other.” Nguyen wanted to be part of that environment.

The hospital was also looking at expansion of services, and with Nguyen’s commitment to providing whole health services, it was the perfect opportunity to establish a practice.

Her goal is to expand and improve on existing services, while adding new options and bringing back some services that had been discontinued due to space and staff limitations in the previous facility.

Nguyen has a “Heart” for women’s health

Nguyen is a vocal advocate for women’s health, especially heart health. This is a fitting topic since February is national heart month.

Even though heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions such as acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.

“Women’s heart issues present differently than men’s,” stated Nguyen. Symptoms in women can easily be ignored or misinterpreted until the issue becomes serious. Preventative care, including routine screenings, along with information are key to catching the early warning signs of deteriorating heart health.

Nguyen encourages women to know the warning signs and triggers of heart disease, “Keep them in the back of your mind, and ask your health care provider about anything unusual,” she said.

Note: A listing of warning signs and symptoms of heart disease, along with risk factors is published at the end of this story.

Looking for a health care provider?

Michelle Nguyen, PA-C  is currently accepting new patients.

Physician Associates provide both primary care and urgent care services. They are trained to assess, diagnose, order and interpret medical tests, prescribe medications, provide medicine management, collaborate with other medical professionals and specialists in the total care of their patients. PA’s generally carry a smaller patient load, so getting an appointment is easier and quicker in most cases.

Nguyen has a passion for women’s health and offers women’s health services, but she sees patients of all ages from newborns to adults, both men and women.

If you are looking for a primary healthcare provider, please contact Lake Chelan Health at 509-682-8511.

About Michelle and Allan

Michelle and Allan are the epitome of high school sweethearts. They met in 9^th grade and got married 10 years later during the pandemic. Allan works remotely, and has thoroughly enjoyed his “office” in Chelan.

The couple moved to Chelan last fall, taking advantage of the lovely autumn weather to explore the area, including many hikes and an uplake trip to Stehekin, “It’s just beautiful,” said Michelle.

According to Michelle, Allan picked up snowboarding this winter. Unfortunately, the short season was plagued by cold weather but little snow. “He still had fun,” said Michelle.

Any challenges in making the cross-country adjustment? No surprise, but the biggest challenge facing the couple is housing. Their current rental will be unavailable later this spring, so they are actively looking for a new place to live.

Other than that, Michelle says she is loving getting to know the community, the hospital, and her patients. “I plan to be here a long, long time,” she said. “I am dedicated to making an impact on my patients.”

Women’s Heart Health – Warning Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Know the warning signs

While chest pain and pressure are often present, Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue
• Heartburn (indigestion)

Know your risk factors

Several traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease — such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity — affect both women and men. But other factors may play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women.

Heart disease risk factors for women include:

• Women with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease than are men with diabetes. Also, because diabetes can change the way women feel pain, there’s an increased risk of having a silent heart attack — without symptoms.
• Emotional stress and depression.Stress and depression affect women’s hearts more than men’s. Depression may make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow recommended treatment for other health conditions.
• Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than it is in men.
• A lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Low levels of estrogen after menopause increase the risk of developing disease in smaller blood vessels.
• Pregnancy complications. High blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy can increase the mother’s long-term risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. These conditions also make women more likely to get heart disease.
• Family history of early heart disease. If a patient has a first-degree male relative with cardiovascular disease diagnosed before the age of 45 or a first-degree female relative with cardiovascular disease diagnosed before the age of 55, they are generally at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
• Inflammatory diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory conditions may increase the risk of heart disease in both men and women.