Cardiology

Our hospital uses advanced imaging equipment for evaluating the heart's function. Heart imaging is crucial for visualizing the heart's structure and determining function. It also helps identify blockages in vital veins and arteries that can lead to severe conditions, such as a heart attack or cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Our heart imaging services include:

• Arterial ultrasound
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Coronary calcium scan
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram

Our hospital is home to three full-service cardiac cath labs and one hybrid cath lab. We perform a variety of procedures in these labs, but the main function is to perform cardiac catheterizations to assess the structure and function of the heart's valves, chambers and coronary arteries.

During a cardiac catheterization, small, flexible tubes, or catheters, are inserted into the veins or arteries and guided to various chambers in the heart. The catheters are small enough to be passed through the blood vessels without causing discomfort. An X-ray dye is injected through the catheter and cameras are used to record images of blood flowing through the vessels.

For more information, please contact our cath lab team at (352) 333-4925.

Our cardiovascular team includes cardiac electrophysiologists who offer advanced care in the diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias. Our hospital includes a dedicated lab for EP studies. These studies are a form of diagnostic testing used to study the heart's electrical system when abnormalities have been identified.

Treatments for heart arrhythmias may include:

• Cardiac catheter ablation
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation
• Maze surgical treatment for arrhythmia
• Permanent pacemaker placement

There are many types of vascular disease that can affect the veins and arteries that make up the body's vascular system. Vascular disease occurs when a blood vessel becomes narrowed or blocked. This results in decreased blood flow to areas of the body, such as the lower extremities and brain.

We offer a variety of options to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms. In addition to traditional surgical approaches, we also perform minimally invasive endovascular procedures. These procedures may offer a faster recovery time and less discomfort.

Our heart specialists offer a variety of cardiovascular surgical options to treat heart and vascular conditions. We offer minimally invasive interventional cardiology procedures in addition to traditional heart surgery.

Our surgical services include:

• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• Repair of congenital heart abnormalities
• Valve repair and replacement

Additionally, our program has been accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a transcatheter aortic valve replacement certified facility and recognized by the American College of Cardiology as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).

After a cardiac surgery or heart event, you may choose to participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Our three-phase cardiac rehabilitation program can help you regain strength and provide education on healthy dietary and lifestyle changes.

During your cardiac rehabilitation, we will monitor your exercise and provide information about the factors that can contribute to heart disease, such as poor nutrition and high stress levels.