Cardiology

Making sure you receive a correct diagnosis is the first step in providing complete cardiovascular care. To accomplish this, we offer:

• Echocardiogram (echo): specialized ultrasound
• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): electrodes that produce a graph of the heart's electrical activity
• Electrophysiology (EP) studies: assessment of the heart's electrical system
• Catheterization: diagnostic and treatment technique using a catheter (thin, flexible tube)
• Holter monitoring: device to monitor the heart over a period of time
• Stress testing: monitors the heart during physical exertion, such as exercise
• Tilt table testing: evaluates pulse and blood pressure while changing positions
• Transesophageal echo: type of echo that uses a probe
• Transtelephonic arrhythmia monitoring: monitor to record symptoms for your doctor

Our heart specialists have access to a range of diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options to provide you the care you need for irregular heartbeats. We use EP — the branch of medicine that studies the heart's electrical system — to identify arrhythmias.

Types of heart arrhythmias

There are several types of heart arrhythmias. Each type is classified by the effect it has on the heart or by location. Common types of heart arrhythmias include:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib): when the atria contract too quickly and irregularly
• Bradycardia: when the heart is beating too slowly
• Supraventricular arrhythmias: begins in one of the upper chambers (atria) of the heart
• Tachycardia: when the heart is beating too fast
• Ventricular arrhythmias: begins in one of the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart

Risk factors for developing AFib

Factors that can contribute to developing AFib include:

• Advancing age
• Existing congenital heart disorders, coronary artery disease or diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• Previous heart attack
• Smoking
• Stress

Symptoms of arrhythmias and AFib

Seek treatment if you experience any of these arrhythmia symptoms:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations or fluttering
• Sensation of a missed or extra heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness

Arrhythmia treatments

Some arrhythmias are minor enough that they do not require any treatment at all, whereas others may require surgery. For many, treatment options include medication management and lifestyle changes.

Arrhythmia surgeries we offer include:

• High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion
• Left atrial appendage occlusion
• Pacemaker insertion
• Radiofrequency ablation

We provide diagnostic, medical, interventional and surgical services for patients with vascular diseases, such as peripheral artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

Vascular services we provide include:

• Noninvasive vascular laboratory
• Vascular interventional radiology
• Vascular medicine
• Vascular surgical services
• Vascular ultrasound imaging

Our vascular program focuses on providing patient education to help reduce the risks associated with vascular disease through lifestyle changes.

Our vascular specialists

The vascular team is made up of vascular surgeons, general surgeons, neurosurgeons, interventional radiologists, internists, family practitioners, dedicated technologists and nurses.

Our cardiac rehabilitation program is supervised by a board-certified cardiologist and may help you if you have heart disease or are recovering from a heart event or surgery.

To learn more about our cardiac rehabilitation program, please call our department at (941) 798-6126.

Phases of cardiac rehabilitation

There are three primary phases of cardiac rehabilitation:

• Phase one (in hospital): supervised care including educational counseling, range of motion activities and intermittent physical exercise
• Phase two (outpatient exercise therapy): supervised care including exercise, telemetry monitoring, blood pressure monitoring and risk-factor education and modification
• Phase three (continued outpatient exercise therapy): self-pay maintenance program to promote long-term health through supervised exercise

Benefits of cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation can offer you numerous benefits, including:

• Learning about cardiovascular disease treatment, medications and a long-term healthy lifestyle
• Learning how to recognize symptoms and when to seek treatment
• Reducing the potential for additional cardiovascular problems through risk-factor modification
• Regaining and maintaining an independent, self-sufficient lifestyle through improvement in strength and endurance

Family and friends play a vital role in supporting you on the road to recovery. So, in addition to advanced medical care, we offer the following services for you and your family:

• Complimentary hospital cafeteria meals
• Discounted hotel rooms rates in the nearby area