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Heart Center:
Clinical Conditions & Program Offerings
The Heart Center at Mercy specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a myriad of cardiac problems. Our highly-trained team of cardiologists utilizes a number of diagnostic tools to evaluate your heart condition. These include EKG, stress testing (regular and nuclear), Holter and event monitoring, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization.
The cardiologists of The Heart Center at Mercy are skilled in taking a complete history, performing a thorough physical examination and recommending appropriate testing. These results and the appropriate treatment are discussed with the patient in a caring, easily understood manner. Arrangements are made for follow-up care as necessary.
The physicians of The Heart Center at Mercy specialize in treating the following conditions:
The physicians of The Heart Center at Mercy utilize the following methods to diagnose and treat heart conditions:
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Cardiovascular disease is a term used to describe a wide-range of diseases which affect the heart and/or the blood vessels. Diseases falling under the umbrella of cardiovascular disease include coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. It is usually caused by an unhealthy diet (lots of saturated fats), lack of exercise, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking. All of these conditions are major risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis and, in turn, cardiovascular disease.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. It is the number one killer of men and women in this country. CAD involves the arteries which supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. It is the leading cause of heart attacks, due to reduction of blood flow through the coronary arteries. CAD can also cause other heart problems such as chest pain (angina pectoris), heart failure and sudden cardiac death.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction) is an injury to the heart muscle caused by a loss of blood supply. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot obstructs the flow of blood through a coronary artery. Interrupted blood flow to the heart can damage or destroy a part of the heart muscle and thus increase the risk of heart failure or sudden cardiac death.
Valvular heart disease is an abnormality of any of the four valves of the heart. Working like doors to open when the heart squeezes and close when it relaxes, these valves keep blood flowing in the proper direction. Heart valves may be damaged by a variety of conditions leading to narrowing (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation) or improper closing (prolapse). Usually these conditions are diagnosed, or at least suspected, during a physical examination. An echocardiogram aids in the confirmation of the condition and an assessment of its severity.
Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart muscle is usually weakened and unable to pump effectively to meet the body's demand for blood and oxygen. Heart failure usually results in an enlarged heart (systolic heart failure). It often causes shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling of the legs. Sometimes the heart may be too stiff during relaxation but squeezes normally. This is called “diastolic heart failure.” The mainstay of treatment for diastolic heart failure is diuretics. Treatment of systolic heart failure often consists of beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics and digoxin. An echocardiogram is helpful in evaluating these two conditions. The various causes of congestive heart failure include coronary artery disease, hypertension, viral infections, and some medications used to treat cancer.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the excessive force of blood pumping through the blood vessels and is among the most common types of heart disease. It is perhaps one of the most treatable forms of cardiovascular disease. Untreated, it often leads to diseases such as stroke, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and kidney failure.
Arrhythmias are disorders of the heart rhythm, such as beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minor significance or they may point to a more serious underlying heart problem. Symptoms of arrhythmias may include weakness, fatigue, awareness of heartbeat, low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. Arrhythmias are treated in a variety of ways including lifestyle modification, medication, cardioversion (electrical shock), ablation, or the insertion of a pacemaker or defibrillator.
An electrocardiogram (EKG) measures the electrical activity of the heart. By placing electrodes at specific locations on the body, a graphic representation of the electrical activity can be obtained. This is often helpful in understanding the heart’s state of health and permitting further assessment as needed.
An echocardiogram is a hand-held device placed on the chest which uses ultrasound (sound waves) to produce images of the heart’s size, structure and motion. This testing is used to evaluate heart function as well as the integrity of its valves.
A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) uses ultrasound (sound waves) that pass through the esophagus (swallowing tube) in order to create a clearer image of the size of the heart, its pumping strength, and location and extent of any damage to its valves. It is most often used to detect blood clots within the heart and to improve imaging of the heart valves. It is somewhat invasive and thus is usually performed under mild sedation.
A stress test helps the cardiologist determine how well the heart handles increasing work loads. During this test, the body will work harder requiring more energy thus causing the heart to pump more blood. A stress test can show if there is enough blood supply flowing through the arteries that supply the heart. Stress testing is among the best tools for diagnosing coronary heart disease and evaluating its severity.
The Stress Test Laboratory in The Heart Center at Mercy is equipped with the latest technology. Available testing includes treadmill exercise testing (with and without nuclear imaging) and pharmacologic stress testing with persantine and dobutamine.
A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during stress. It is performed in a similar manner as a regular exercise stress test but provides images in addition to electrocardiograms. A radioactive substance is injected into the bloodstream and blends with the blood. A special scanner is used to detect the radioactive material in the heart thus creating images of the heart’s blood flow. Images are taken prior to and after the stress test. This examination will require 3 to 4 hours and thus takes longer than a regular stress test that takes 1 to 1 ½ . The amount of time actually spent on the treadmill is usually 6-10 minutes.
Cardiac catheterization involves passing a thin flexible tube into the right and/or left side of the heart. This procedure is performed to obtain diagnostic information about the heart and its blood vessels. It allows the physician to make recommendations about the need for heart surgery or angioplasty, (i.e. opening an artery with a small stent). It is performed in a comfortable setting under local anesthesia and, if needed, mild sedation. It usually takes one hour to complete and most often does not require an overnight stay.
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Tollfree: 1-800-MD-Mercy
(1-800-636-3729)
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