Cardiology

The cardiac cath lab is a secure and comfortable environment where we perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This lab assists physicians in meeting the health needs of each patient.

As a diagnostic procedure, cardiac catheterization allows our cardiologists to:

• Visualize and assess the severity of coronary artery disease
• Evaluate the extent of disease in heart valves
• Determine the type of therapy — including medical therapy, balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery — that is appropriate for you

Cardiac catheterization can also be used as a treatment. In our cardiac cath lab, the following procedures are performed:

• Angioplasty and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) stenting to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels to the heart
• Cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AFib) to send electrical energy to the heart to restore a normal heart rate
• Declotting of arteriovenous (AV) fistula to improve or regain blood flow in an irregular vein-artery connection in patients who are undergoing dialysis
• Defibrillator implantation to pace the heart and correct cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
• Directional and rotational atherectomy to remove plaque in blood vessels
• Electrophysiology (EP) studies and ablations to identify and treat cardiac arrhythmias
• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion to prevent blood clots — created by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — from traveling to the lungs
• Intra-aortic balloon pump insertion to help the heart pump blood
• Interventional peripheral procedures to open blocked or partially blocked arteries supplying blood to the neck, head, abdomen and legs
• Long-term continuous heartbeat monitor insertions and removals to capture irregular heart rhythms and transmit them to your cardiologist over a period of several months or even years
• Pacemaker implantation to manage cardiac arrhythmias
• Temporary pacemaker insertion to help regulate a heartbeat that has been temporarily out of rhythm
• Transesophageal echocardiograms to view the heart valves and structure

Your heart and your lungs work closely together to take care of your body and provide it with the oxygen it needs. When you have troubles with one, you may often have symptoms or related conditions affecting the other as well. That's why we offer a cardiopulmonary care program. It includes diagnosing and treating cardiopulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, and teaching you how to live well with these conditions.

Heart disease is a serious condition that effects your heart and lungs. Our cardiopulmonary care teams can help create wellness plans designed around your specific needs that can reduce cardiac disease risks. This plan will typically include lifestyle changes, such as exercise and nutrition.

This is because physical inactivity, besides being a risk factor for heart disease, contributes to other risk factors — including obesity, high blood pressure and a low level of HDL ("good") cholesterol.

To condition the heart, try to get 30-60 minutes of exercise three to four times a week. (However, always check with a physician before starting any exercise program.)

You can also reduce your risk of heart disease with these tips:

• Eat well and better to reduce high cholesterol
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly
• Lose weight, if necessary
• Perform daily low-intensity activities, such as walking for pleasure, gardening, yard work, housework, dancing and prescribed home exercise
• Take blood pressure medication as prescribed
• Quit smoking for good (Many programs are available to help you with this, and we can help you find one that fits your needs.)

Our experienced cardiac care team is prepared to treat a variety of conditions — including heart attacks — in our 24/7 emergency room (ER).

Knowing the signs of a heart attack and taking immediate action is essential. Seek emergency help if any of the following occur:

• Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of the chest that spreads to the neck, shoulder or jaw
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
• Pressure, pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, back or lower chest
• Anxiety or "sense of doom" with no apparent reason
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sweating or clammy skin
• Unusual fatigue
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Weakness