Cardiology

Our cardiologists use numerous imaging and diagnostic tests to gain the greatest visibility of your heart, including:

• Cardiac catheterization (cath) — Cath tests allow us to assess the amount of blood flowing to the heart and determine the best course of treatment for heart valve issues. During these types of procedures, a long catheter is inserted into an artery or vein and threaded through the heart's blood vessels.
• Echocardiogram — An echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound that creates images of the heart and its movements, helping our doctors see and evaluate it in action. For more advanced imaging needs, a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) can be performed by inserting a probe down the esophagus.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) — To record and graph the electrical signals in the heart, we perform an EKG. It is a painless test used to monitor how well your heart is beating.
• Electrophysiology (EP) study — Used to diagnose and treat heart arrhythmias, an EP study is a detailed assessment and mapping of the heart's electrical system. This is performed in our electrophysiology laboratory by placing a catheter inside the heart.
• Holter monitoring — A Holter monitor is a small wearable device that continuously tracks the heart's rhythm, typically over 24 to 48 hours. The device is battery-operated and attached to your skin with electrodes.
• Nuclear cardiology — These imaging procedures use nuclear medicine or radioisotope techniques to study your heart and determine whether your heart is receiving enough blood.
• Stress test — We may perform this test to determine how well your heart works under stress. It can also indicate if you're at risk of experiencing a heart attack. During a stress test, you may walk on a treadmill or receive a medication injection to temporarily increase your heart's workload. As your heart's workload increases, we will monitor your physical symptoms, perform blood pressure checks and record your heart's activity with an EKG.
• Tilt table testing — This test is used to discover the cause of unexplained fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness. During a tilt table test, your blood pressure and heart rhythm are monitored while lying horizontally and vertically.

In our interventional cath lab, our physicians visualize your heart and arteries. After inserting a small catheter into your vein, we can identify potential problems and treat life-threatening blockages.

We perform a range of advanced treatments in the cath lab, including:

• Balloon angioplasty
• Cardiac ablations
• Chronic total occlusion intervention
• Diagnostic and interventional catheterization
• Implantation of pacemakers, internal defibrillators and cardiac monitoring devices
• Percutaneous stenting
• Thrombectomy
• Valve repair and replacement

If you are experiencing heart trouble, our heart specialists provide comprehensive support, including:

• Acute chest pain care
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Electrophysiology
• Heart failure treatment
• Heart valve disease treatment
• Preventive cardiology
• Treatment for heart arrhythmias
• Vascular disease treatment

A heart attack can be life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care. Our 24/7 emergency room (ER) provides life-saving support if you have heart attack symptoms. Upon arrival at our ER, you are taken to our cardiac cath lab to be evaluated for blockages in your coronary arteries.

If a blockage is found, your cardiologist may perform a balloon angioplasty, or place a cardiac stent to open your blockage and restore blood flow to your heart. If your arteries are totally blocked, one of our experienced cardiac interventionalists may perform a chronic total occlusion procedure.

Heart attack care for women

Our team is also here to provide heart care that's tailored to meet women's health needs. Women typically experience a variety of gender-specific heart attack symptoms, including:

• Back pain
• Chest pressure
• Cold sweat
• Jaw pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Our vascular program is designed to educate you about how to reduce risks associated with vascular disease through lifestyle changes.

With our specialized care team and noninvasive vascular laboratory, we are able to provide a variety of services, including:

• Interventional radiology
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Ultrasound imaging

We have a diverse vascular team that includes:

• Family practitioners
• General surgeons
• Internists
• Interventional radiologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Nurses
• Technologists
• Vascular surgeons

If you experience a heart attack, heart failure, heart valve surgery or coronary bypass surgery, our cardiac rehabilitation program can help you during the recovery process. Our medically supervised program provides you with education and a personalized exercise plan, aiming to get you stronger and back to your desired activities as soon as possible.

During every session, our team will be there to help meet your needs and monitor your heart. We also offer specific exercise plans and monitoring for peripheral artery disease.