Cardiovascular Services

Studies estimate that more than half of us will develop heart disease at some point in our lives. We offer state-of-the-art technology to diagnose cardiovascular problems and offer the most effective treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of heart disease, or if you think you may be at risk, don’t wait. Most cardiovascular disease can be treated more effectively when caught in its early stages.

Our cardiac X-ray unit provides one of the most advanced heart scans available, with enhanced image quality and resolution. And our echocardiography system offers a color ultrasound of the heart with exceptional imaging performance.

Diagnostic procedures we offer include:

• Cardiac catheterization: Contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries and a digital picture is taken. This allows visualization of any narrowing or blockages.
• Cardiac stress testing: A treadmill, bicycle, or medication is used to stress the heart and grade its performance.
• Cardiac nuclear stress testing: Done in conjunction with a stress test, cardiolite stress testing shows how well the blood flows to the heart muscle.
• Echocardiogram: Ultrasounds of the heart and heart valves determine how the heart is pumping and whether it is working properly.
• Electrocardiography: Electrical tracing (EKG) of the heart rhythm helps diagnose conditions that interfere with normal electrophysical function. EKG event monitors make a graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart while the person walks or otherwise moves wearing a small recorder.

Armed with the latest technology, our expert cardiologists work with one goal in mind: to help you get better. Along the way, we will communicate closely with you and your family, making sure you’re aware of your treatment options so you can be an active participant in choosing care that’s right for you.

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation program helps patients recover faster and return to their everyday lives after a cardiac event or surgery. The rehab program is designed around each individual patient and is monitored by our caring, expert staff.

A cardiac exercise stress test shows how well your heart handles exercise. This can take various forms including stress ECG and stress echocardiograms.

During your cardiac exercise stress test, you’ll walk on a treadmill or cycle on an exercise bike until you reach your “target heart rate”- which is 85% of the maximum heart rate predicted for your age. Every 3 minutes, the speed, incline and resistance of your treadmill or bike will increase, up to 15 minutes maximum. Medication may also be used to stress the heart and grade its performance.

During the test, one or more medical professionals will monitor your ECG, heart rate, blood pressure and heart rhythm. They will stop the test if:

• You develop chest pain
• Your blood pressure is becoming a concern
• The ECG shows your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen
• You become too tired
• You have another symptom that prevents you from exercising

The test takes less than one hour in total. After you complete your cardiac exercise stress test, you’ll be monitored until your heart rate returns to its normal resting rate. Your test results will be explained to you, and your doctor may recommend additional tests and treatments.

Your provider may recommend a cardiac exercise stress test to:

• • Identify the cause of chest pain as well as shortness of breath, dizziness and light-headedness
  • Diagnose possible coronary artery disease
  • Check the effectiveness of certain procedures such as coronary angioplasty and stenting or cardiac bypass surgery
  • Help create a safe exercise plan if you have heart disease risk factors
  • Identify any heart rhythm changes usually experienced during exercise
  • Determine your risk of heart disease or other heart-related conditions

Cardiac nuclear stress testing can be done in conjunction with a stress test, cardiolite stress testing shows how well the blood flows to the heart muscle.

Echocardiography, electrical tracing, also known as an EKG or an echo, is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to create an image of the heart and nearby blood vessels. It’s a common way to examine the heart’s structure and function and can help diagnose a variety of heart conditions that interfere with normal electrophysical function.

EKG event monitors make a graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart while the person walks or otherwise moves wearing a small recorder.

• Abnormal heart valves or rhythms
• Heart murmurs
• Heart muscle damage from a heart attack
• Infections, blood clots, or tumors in the heart
• Fluid buildup around the heart

Echocardiography is different from an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test that measures the heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.

Cardiac catheterization, also known as a cath, is a procedure that involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and threading it through to the heart, and then contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries and a digital picture is taken. This allows visualization of any narrowing or blockages. The procedure can be used for both diagnostic and treatment purposes.

During a cardiac catheterization, a healthcare provider may:

• • Examine the heart: Use the catheter to look at the heart valves, measure pressures in the heart chambers, or take blood samples to measure oxygen levels
  • Treat heart conditions: Use the catheter to treat narrowed blood vessels, put in a new heart valve, or perform cardiac ablation
  • Check blood flow: Inject contrast dye into the coronary arteries to check blood flow.

The procedure is performed under local anesthetic.

Vascular care treats disorders and diseases that affect the vascular system, which includes the arteries, veins, and other vessels that circulate blood throughout your body. Some vascular conditions are acute, meaning they come on quickly. In contrast, others are chronic, developing over the years, and requiring ongoing medical management.

Some vascular conditions can be severe and life-threatening, such as blood clots, while others pose much less risk, such as spider veins. Treatment and prevention are possible for many vascular conditions.

If you have questions about vascular conditions or care, ask your provider. The earlier you receive care, the better the outcome will be.

The expert support you need to help your heart recover. Hancock Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program helps patients recover faster and return to their everyday lives after a cardiac event or surgery. The rehab program is tailored around each individual patient and is monitored by our caring, expert staff.

After heart surgery, a stent, or an episode of congestive heart failure, cardiac rehabilitation care supports your recovery. Our goal is to deliver care to help you quickly recover, help keep your heart and lungs healthy and get you back to your daily activities sooner. Your cardiac rehabilitation care team works with you and your doctor on a rehabilitation and recovery care plan that’s personalized for you and your condition.

Cardiac rehab may be part of your care plan after:

• Bypass surgery
• Congestive heart failure, diagnosis and treatment
• Coronary stent or angioplasty
• Heart attack
• Heart transplant or heart pump
• Heart valve replacement
• Treatment for angina

Our expert team works with one goal in mind: to help you get better. Along the way, we will communicate closely with you and your family, making sure you’re aware of your treatment options so you can be an active participant in choosing care that’s right for you.

Our low-cost heart scan is a noninvasive way of determining the presence, location, and extent of calcium deposits in your coronary arteries. The scan shows your provider details about your heart’s structure and how well your heart is working, including early signs of coronary artery disease.

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• Abnormally high blood cholesterol levels
• A family history of heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Being physically inactive