Cardiology

Our cardiac hospital is equipped with the tools required to evaluate and diagnose your cardiac condition. Our diagnostic imaging services include:

• Arrhythmia mapping: This type of imaging is dedicated to tracking an abnormal heart rhythm to locate the site of a heart arrhythmia.
• Cardiac catheterization: This minimally invasive diagnostic procedure involves inserting a catheter (thin flexible tube) into an artery or vein and guiding it to the blood vessels in the heart.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan: We use 64-slice CT scanning technology to produce high-quality X-ray images of the heart's anatomy and surrounding veins and arteries.
• Echocardiogram: This is a specialized type of ultrasound that produces images of the heart to assess function.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): This imaging exam produces a graph that charts the electrical activity of the heart, which is gathered through electrodes placed on the chest.
• Electrophysiology (EP) studies: These studies test the electrical activity of the heart, often to identify the location of an arrhythmia.
• Holter monitoring: This device continuously records the heart's rhythm for a specified amount of time.
• Implantable loop recorder: This device is placed temporarily in the chest to monitor heart rhythm.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This imaging technology uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the heart's structure.
• Nuclear cardiology: These imaging procedures use radiotracers (radioactive dyes) to assess blood flow in and out of the heart and evaluate the pumping function of the heart muscle.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): This specialized type of echocardiogram uses an ultrasound probe that is inserted through the esophagus to produce unobstructed, detailed images of the heart.
• Vascular ultrasound: This type of ultrasound examines the circulation of blood flow in the veins and arteries.
• X-ray: This produces images of the heart, lungs, veins, arteries and bones that make up the chest.

In our emergency room (ER), we offer integrated care for anyone coming in with chest pain. Our emergency medicine team is also in constant communication with local emergency medical services (EMS) providers to ensure a seamless continuum of care.

When you arrive at our hospital with heart attack symptoms, our goal is to confirm a diagnosis and restore blood flow through the blocked artery as soon as possible. We treat all types of heart attacks, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks, which are diagnosed when a complete blockage occurs.

Often, heart attack symptoms can be subtle. Recognizing early onset heart attack symptoms is crucial to receiving prompt treatment, which can preserve the heart muscle.

Signs of a heart attack include:

• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Chest pressure, squeezing or discomfort
• Fatigue
• Feeling of fullness
• Jaw pain
• Nausea
• Pain that travels down one or both arms
• Shortness of breath

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, immediately call 911.

Our heart doctors and cardiovascular surgeons work together to determine the most effective treatment option for you. In addition to diet and lifestyle education, we offer advanced therapies and minimally invasive cardiac procedures, including:

• Cardiopulmonary care
• Cardioversion
• Convergent maze procedure
• Cryoablation
• Heart and vascular surgery
  • Aneurysm repair
  • Angioplasty and stenting
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
  • Heart valve surgery, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion
• Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device insertion
• Medication management
• Pacemaker insertion, including biventricular pacemakers

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised process designed to help you improve your heart health and quality of life after a heart surgery, event or disease diagnosis. For example, you may participate in cardiac rehab following a heart attack, bypass surgery, chronic chest pain, stenting, heart transplant or valve repair or replacement.

Our cardiac rehab specialists work with you to develop a program tailored to your needs and goals. You will typically come in three times a week for approximately 12 weeks or for a total of 36 sessions.

Cardiac rehab offers several benefits, including:

• Better understanding of heart diseases and conditions
• Increased physical functioning and overall strength
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Reduced potential for future heart problems (through risk factor management)
• Regained energy, making daily activities easier

A doctor's referral is required to participate in cardiac rehab, so we encourage you to talk to your doctor to see if cardiac rehab is a good option for you. If they determine you are a good candidate for cardiac rehab and make a referral to us, you will be contacted by a nurse or exercise physiologist to discuss the program in detail. They will also set up your first visit.

Medicare and most major insurances will cover cardiac rehab.

Cardiac rehab takes place on our hospital's campus in the Medical Office Building, suite 210A.

To learn more about our cardiac rehab program please call us at (727) 869-5566.