• Angioplasty

    Angioplasty

    If you are diagnosed with significant blockages in your arteries, angioplasty -- also referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -- is one treatment option to discuss with your care team. This procedure reopens blocked arteries so your blood can flow freely, is usually performed in a hospital's catheterization lab by an interventional cardiologist.

  • Heart and Vascular Disease

    What is Heart Attack?

    A heart attack occurs when a blockage in one or more of your arteries prevents the blood that normally supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart from making it to its destination. (Heart attack may also be referred to as acute myocardial infarction, AMI, or MI.)

    Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease

    Like most of us, you’ve probably had your share of aches and pains. Sometimes you can attribute them to a specific event—helping a friend move a heavy piece of furniture or pulling a muscle after bowling for the first time in years. Other times the pain comes on more gradually. You might think it’s just another sign that you’re getting older, As you age, especially if you have other health concerns, such as diabetes, it’s important to tell your doctor about all your aches and pains, especially if you have cramping, fatigue, heaviness, tightness, or weakness in the legs while walking, running, climbing stairs or engaging in other activities. These could be symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD)—a buildup of plaque and blockages in the arteries that restrict the flow of blood to your legs.

  • Treatment and Prevention

    Cardiac Rehabilitation

    Cardiac rehabilitation programs help participants resume a healthy lifestyle after a cardiac event and include monitored exercise, education and counseling about cardiac risk factors, and psychosocial support. Studies have shown that participants who complete cardiac rehab programs have better odds of a longer life than those who don’t complete a program.

    Interventional Cardiologists and Your Care Team During Angioplasty, Stenting and Other Interventional Procedures

    During balloon angioplasty, stenting and other catheter-based heart treatments, a specialist called an interventional cardiologist performs the necessary procedure.

    Recovery After an Interventional Procedure

    Recovery from angioplasty and stenting is typically brief. Discharge from the hospital is usually 12 to 24 hours after the catheter is removed. Many patients are able to return to work within a few days to a week after a procedure.

    Stents

    Angioplasty and stents are the standard of care to treat a heart attack in progress. Cardiologists also can recommend angioplasty and stents to treat symptoms of heart blockages, to reopen blocked carotid arteries that can cause a stroke, and to expand narrowed arteries that supply the arms and legs with blood.

    Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

    Innovations in cardiovascular care are constantly creating effective, less invasive methods for treating and preventing cardiovascular disease. The days when little could be done to combat heart and vascular disease are long over. Whether you have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or wish to minimize risk factors you may have, your doctors and other healthcare providers can work with you to identify the best choices for you among a range of treatment and prevention options.

  • Tests and Diagnostics

    Angiogram

    An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that provides detailed, x-ray pictures of your heart and its blood vessels. It is performed by a specially trained cardiologist, called an interventional cardiologist.

  • Betty - Achieving a High Quality of Life at Any Age

    Betty didn’t realize the full extent of her heart disease symptoms, or how they were impacting her life, until after she was treated. Like many people with stable angina, she had curtailed her participation in activities she loved – like gardening and golfing – in order to avoid the uncomfortable symptoms that plagued her when she did them. To learn what led her to treatment, and how much she’s enjoying life now, read her story.

    Dolf Bachmann - World’s First Angioplasty Patient Now 68 Years Old and “Happy All Around”

    On Sept. 16, 1977, Dolf Bachmann, then 38 years old, became the first patient to undergo balloon angioplasty. Now 68 years old, Bachmann describes himself “in excellent condition, free of complications and happy all around.” Watch as he recalls his experience as the first angioplasty patient and the remarkable role he played in the development of a procedure that has saved many lives and improved quality of life for many more.

    Duane Nystedt - Unique Heart Procedure Restores Patient’s Quality of Life

    A little over a year ago, Duane Nystedt was barely able to walk or perform easy, everyday tasks like taking out the garbage. Duane was suffering from a blocked heart artery. The blockage was inaccessible, leaving Duane with almost no options. He sought at Dr. William Lombardi, one of a few physicians in the country who performs a complicated procedure that has been shown to be successful in opening totally blocked blood vessels. Read about Duane’s procedure and how his life has changed.

    Ed Gartner – The right treatment option for an active lifestyle

    Ed Gartner built his life around living a healthy and active lifestyle. As a community recreational director, tennis instructor, and competitive tennis player, a heart condition was the last thing he thought would keep him out of the game. But that’s exactly what happened, as chest discomfort began bothering him whenever he exerted himself. Read more about the treatment that returned Ed to the lifestyle he loves – so well that he even beat his own cardiologist in two sets of tennis!

    Gary Lawrence - Angioplasty One Day, Anniversary Trip to Europe the Next

    Despite regular visits to his cardiologist and medication, Gary notice a decline in his energy levels, chronic fatigue, loss of stamina, and other symptoms that were keeping him from doing the things he enjoyed. When tests revealed blockages in his heart arteries, Gary and his doctor discussed his options. He got treated and is now enjoying his retirement, doing things he never thought he could. Read his story.