Deaconess Hospital - Oklahoma, Oklahoma Heart Hospital
5401 N Portland Ave, Ste 380
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Phone
405-604-4460
Additional Information
First Name: Pamela
Last Name: Craven
Title: MD
Primary Hospital: Deaconess Hospital - Oklahoma
Specialty: Cardiovascular Disease
Hospital: Oklahoma Heart Hospital
County: Oklahoma
Gender: F
Why did you choose medicine and your field in particular?
I chose medicine in general because I love interacting with people and enjoy having the ability to help make them feel better. I chose cardiology specifically because I am fascinated by the heart and how it functions, the technology involved to diagnose heart disease and the medications available to treat the diseases. It gives me a chance to satisfy my scientific curiosity as well as my desire to help patients.
What are the most challenging aspects?
One of the most challenging aspects of my job is engaging people in the lifestyle changes needed to have a healthier heart. These changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier and exercising regularly remain the most effective methods to prevent and treat heart disease but are very difficult things for a lot of Oklahomans to do, including myself.
How has your practice changed in recent years?
I am more focused on prevention of heart disease, particularly in women. Women as a group have been largely ignored with respect to research in heart disease until the past one to two decades, yet have a very high risk of death and disability from heart disease and are more difficult to diagnose and treat. I have spent more of my time the past few years educating women and professionals about how to more effectively diagnose and treat heart disease in women.
Do you foresee any breakthrough on the horizon that will significantly change your practice?
One of the most wonderful things about the field of cardiology is that there are breakthroughs all the time leading to better diagnostic tools, surgical techniques and medications. The question is whether these will be available and affordable through future health care plans.
Special Expertise: Nuclear Cardiology,Heart Disease in Women,Echocardiography
