Cardiology

We have been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for cardiac care and as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by the American College of Cardiology. We also earned top three-star national rating in cardiovascular surgery by the Society for Thoracic Surgeons — the highest quality ranking in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the United States and Canada.

As one of the largest cardiac centers in the area, our heart center treats more than 10,000 people annually. It is located on the north end of the hospital. For your convenience, our center features its own entrance, valet parking and waiting room.

At our hospital, we offer a wide range of services, including screenings, clinical research trials, minimally invasive heart and vascular surgery and cardiac rehabilitation. We also have a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) with a team focused on treating critical heart conditions.

We provide advanced heart testing and imaging to detect the cause of the problems you may be experiencing. We offer positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) scans as well as echocardiograms.

To further examine your heart's function, we may recommend cardiac catheterization. During this minimally invasive procedure, a long, thin tube, or catheter, is inserted into your vein and threaded to your heart. It can be used to:

• Determine the amount of oxygen in the heart
• Diagnose heart defects
• Identify problems related to the heart valves
• Locate blockages in the blood vessels
• Perform a tissue biopsy in the heart
• Test pressure

Cardiac catheterization is also used in the following procedures performed to treat heart disease:

• Ablation for heart arrhythmia
• Angioplasty, with or without a stent placement
• Closure of holes in the heart, including patent foramen ovale (PFO)
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Thrombectomy for blood clots

What to expect during cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is generally performed under local anesthesia. A dye is injected into a small tube so the cardiologist can get a clear view of the affected area. Recovery time from this procedure is typically shorter compared to more invasive methods.

If you are experiencing heart rhythm problems, our EP laboratory can help diagnose arrhythmias and determine the best care plan for you. We offer a range of diagnostic services and treatment options to meet your needs.

An EKG is a test that checks for problems with the heart’s electrical activity. This test is performed to:

• Check the health of the heart when other diseases or conditions are present, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes or a family history of early heart disease
• Check the heart’s electrical activity
• Check the thickness of the heart chamber wall
• Determine if medicines are working and if they are causing certain side effects
• Determine the cause of certain heart disease symptoms, such as unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeats or fainting
• Determine the cause of unexplained chest pain, such as a heart attack, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis) or reduced blood flow to the heart muscle (ischemia)
• Determine the effectiveness of pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)

A stress test — also called a treadmill test — can be used to find changes in your heart during exercise. Your physician may order this test to check any abnormalities that can be seen in the EKG only during exercise or while symptoms are present.

A resting EKG is always done before a stress test, and the results of both tests are compared. A resting EKG is performed first because it may show a heart problem that would make a stress test unsafe.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AFib is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heartbeat irregularly and cause the lower chambers of the heart to pump blood abnormally and ineffectively. Over time, AFib may become more frequent and longer lasting, sometimes leading to chronic or permanent AFib. It can also increase your risk of stroke.

We use a multidisciplinary approach to determine the best AFib treatment option for you. Your treatment may include:

• Cardioversion
• Catheter ablation
• Cryoablation
• Hybrid maze procedure (includes surgical and catheter ablation)
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
• Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) implant
• Medication
• Pacemaker implant
• Radiofrequency ablation

To learn more about the services offered by our AFib clinic, please call (904) 702-2342.

If you are experiencing a heart attack, it's important to act quickly and seek emergency care right away. Our emergency room (ER) is equipped to provide comprehensive and fast treatment for heart attacks.

Signs of a heart attack include:

• Chest discomfort, including pressure, pain, tightness or aching sensation in your chest or arms
• Cold sweat
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea, indigestion or abdominal pain
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the neck, jaw, back or stomach
• Shortness of breath

When you come to our valve clinic, we will work with you to get a complete understanding of your health history and any symptoms you may be experiencing. Your initial evaluation will include:

• A comprehensive review of your medical history
• A physical examination
• An echocardiogram
• A discussion of test results and treatment plan options

The heart depends on four tiny valves to help blood flow properly and deliver oxygen throughout the body. However, heart valve disease can occur if one or more of the heart valves isn't working properly.

Signs of heart valve disease include:

• Chest pain and pressure or a feeling of squeezing or heaviness
• Fainting or dizziness
• Heart murmur detected by your physician
• Shortness of breath or breathing too hard
• Swelling of the legs

Some of these may also be symptoms of a heart attack or other serious medical condition. If you are experiencing these or other symptoms of a heart attack, call 911.

Treatment for heart valve disease depends on the severity of symptoms and how well the heart is functioning. We often treat heart valve disease with medications and close observation. Other times, we recommend aortic valve replacement surgery, mitral valve repair or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Mitral valve repair

Mitral valve replacement can be used to treat individuals with aortic stenosis or a leaky mitral valve. Compared to valve replacement, mitral valve repair provides better preservation of heart function and a lower risk of complications. It also eliminates the need for long-term use of blood thinners.

TAVR

If you have severe aortic stenosis and do not qualify for traditional surgery, TAVR can potentially help you feel better and live longer. TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure using a catheter to replace the aortic valve rather than using traditional methods.

Some potential benefits of TAVR can include:

• Faster return to normal activities
• Fewer days in the ICU
• Shorter hospital stay