Cardiology

We are home to a cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab) that plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating patients with heart conditions. This includes patients coming to our emergency room (ER) with heart attack symptoms.

We perform the following diagnostic procedures and treatments in our cath lab:

• Angioplasty: This is a minimally invasive procedure used to widen or open a narrowed or blocked artery. The goal is to restore blood flow by means of inserting a catheter (thin, flexible tube) to the affected artery and expanding a tiny balloon to open it.
• Diagnostic catheterization: This procedure allows your doctor to insert a catheter into an artery and inject a dye. The doctor watches the dye flow through the arteries on a high-definition video screen to locate any blockages in the arteries.
• Diagnostic and interventional cath lab: This allows interventional cardiologists to test your heart and the arteries that keep it supplied with blood.
• Interventional cardiology procedures: These minimally invasive procedures offer advanced treatment for patients with blocked arteries as well as other conditions of the blood vessels and veins that are preventing proper blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Stenting: A stent is a small device that is inserted and left in an artery with the purpose of restoring blood flow and keeping the artery open.

Our hospital offers a wide range of advanced imaging procedures and tests to evaluate heart function, including:

• 2D echocardiography: Also referred to as an echo, this is an advanced form of ultrasound that produces images of the heart.
• Arteriovenous (AV) fistula ultrasound: This type of ultrasound is used in partnership with vein mapping to evaluate an AV fistula for dialysis.
• Carotid ultrasound: This ultrasound looks at the carotid arteries to assess blood flow to the brain.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): This imaging procedure records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Stress testing: This test allows a physician to examine how well the heart is performing under pressure. We offer both nuclear stress tests and treadmill stress tests.
• Transesophageal echo (TEE) test: This advanced form of echocardiography uses an endoscope that is guided into the esophagus to produce a clear image of the heart without interference on the image from the lungs and ribs.
• Upper and lower arterial ultrasound: This ultrasound looks at the arteries to identify potential narrowing of the arteries.
• Upper and lower venous ultrasound: This ultrasound looks at the veins to evaluate for vascular blood clots and deficiencies in blood flow.
• Vein mapping: This process uses ultrasound imaging to map the veins underneath the skin and arm in preparation for AV fistula treatment or cardiac surgery.

Our emergency department is open 24/7 and is always prepared to provide lifesaving emergency care to patients with heart attack symptoms.

Our doctors and surgeons are also trained in providing prompt treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks. A STEMI heart attack is very serious and involves the full blockage of an artery supplying blood to the heart. Our hospital's cardiovascular specialists provide immediate intervention for incoming STEMI patients through angioplasty and stenting.

It is vital for you to know the signs and symptoms of heart disease and circulatory problems so you can manage your risk for developing heart disease. We can educate you on these things and help you follow a plan to a healthier heart.

Common symptoms of heart disease include:

• Irregular heartbeats
• Pain in the chest, arm, shoulder or neck
• Shortness of breath

Risk factors for developing heart disease include:

• Being a smoker
• Gender and age — specifically, women 55 years old and older (or past menopause) and men 45 years old and older are at a higher risk
• Having a family history of heart disease
• Having diabetes
• Having high blood pressure
• Having high LDL ("bad") cholesterol
• Having low HDL ("good") cholesterol

Some risk factors for heart disease can be controlled by lifestyle changes. This can reduce your chances of developing heart disease or help prevent your current condition from worsening. Our heart doctors can help you determine if any lifestyle changes may be helpful for improving your heart health.

When our patients experience heart trauma or structural damage to the heart, we can offer them access to even more specialized, including TAVR, services at our sister facility: HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. Our two hospitals work closely together to ensure patients receive what they need as fast as possible but are also provided with the best follow-up and recovery care.

The heart, veins and arteries all work together to form the highly complex cardiovascular system. That's why our cardiology program includes care for vascular conditions, such as peripheral vascular disease and critical limb ischemia. Many of our procedures performed in the cath lab are also effective treatments for vascular conditions, such as angioplasty and stenting.