Balcells brings interventional cardiology to Pardee – BlueRidgeNow.com

Rebecca Walter, Times-News Staff Writer

Dr. Eduardo Balcells, a general and interventional cardiologist at Pardee Hospital, believes in empowering patients so they never have to become patients.

Balcells came to Pardee in September, and started seeing patients around the end of October, bringing with him an interventional cardiology program to the hospital.

Back 25 years ago, interventional cardiology was only offered at major hospitals. Due to advancements in technology and training, community hospitals like Pardee can now offer the practice, Balcells explained.

Empowering patients through knowledge and encouraging a healthy lifestyle is essential to Balcells practice.

The body has a remarkable ability to repair itself, Balcells explained. With medicine, we can help it evolve even more.

Many patients Balcells sees are in a tough spot health-wise due to poor lifestyle choices.

As a cardiologist, there are the obvious points Balcells stresses to his patients, such as not smoking, reducing stress and eating healthy. But listening to your own body and knowing what it is saying is essential to overall health, Balcells emphasizes.

I spend most of my time trying to open a patients mind and giving them to tools to become less dependent on medicine, Balcells said. It takes effort to get to know your body.

Balcells says he was attracted to Pardee because of the hospitals goals. He believes it is in a good place to continue being successful in the future.

He has worked in hospitals similar to the size of Pardee, and has background in setting up interventional cardiology programs. Before Balcells came on board, the scope of cardiology work at Pardee was mainly low risk and diagnostic. Now, situations where the hospital might have previously sent the patient to Asheville or Spartanburg, S.C. can be addressed here.

Balcells sees some unique features in the local patient base. First, it is more active than most communities. A large elderly population is also present, many of whom still like to stay active. The large percentage of Hispanics also surprised Balcells, who is Hispanic himself, and he is able to use his Spanish-speaking skills.

The medical specialists and staff in this region also stick out to Balcells, who was impressed to see a variety of different backgrounds and knowledge coming together in the area.

New patients can call into Balcells practice to discuss or schedule a time to be seen. Balcells explained that since the interventional cardiology is new to Pardee, it takes time to build. The cardiology office has grown, however.

A main driver as a doctor for Balcells is to not shuffle patients around, and to be accessible by removing any obstacles in the way.

Balcells and his colleagues still work with Mission Health and other surrounding hospitals when it comes to treating patients who need additional services.

A man with many roles

The doctor is a busy man. He is a husband and father of five, which includes one disabled daughter who is wheelchair-bound. Personally, staying healthy is important to Balcells, especially since he has to be his daughter's arms and legs as well.

Balcells is a yoga instructor, an exercise he enjoys doing with his wife. He is also active in CrossFit.

As far as a routine, the cardiologist follows a few simple rules for his life.The first revolves around how he eats. Balcells views meals as fellowship with his family, and never eats on the run, despite a busy schedule.

I always want to take the time to appreciate what I have when Im eating, Balcells said.

The doctor also has an intense focus on what he eats, pinpointing foods that are healthy and hydrating. Another focal point is physical health. Growing in strength and spirituality is a driver for Balcells when he exercises.

He expresses warm sentiments about the people of Hendersonville and the surrounding areas.

(My family) has felt most comfortable in this community, he said. It is a warm and instantly friendly place.

Balcells would like to see Hendersonville have a goal of being the healthiest place in the U.S. He has worked in places with little resources, but it is different here in this area, where medical and outdoor benefits are wide ranging.

I encourage people to take the time to know your body, prioritize, gain knowledge and take advantage of community resources, Balcells said.

Overall, Balcells wants the public to put themselves in positions where they are less likely to have problems by developing commitments and routines. He also wants people to focus on others.

I tell my patients that the end game is not just about you, but getting someone else in that healthy mindset, Balcells said. Were a community, and the end game is all of us.

Reach Rebecca Walter at rebecca.walter@blueridgenow.com. Follow her on Twitter @BRNRebecca.

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Balcells brings interventional cardiology to Pardee - BlueRidgeNow.com