At Butler Health System, we offer heart health services from skilled, board-certified cardiologists trained at world-renowned institutions. These physicians are experts in many aspects of heart health. Cardiologists perform interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, open-heart surgery, cardiac and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and other procedures. When heart surgery is recommended to one of our patients, our cardiac surgeons utilize the least invasive approach whenever possible. Minimally invasive surgeries only involve smaller incisions, which optimizes healing time and recovery.
It’s vital to protect and take care of your heart health, especially because heart disease is the number one cause of death in both men and women worldwide. Not only is heart disease exceedingly common, with half of Americans being at risk for heart disease, but it is a silent killer, as well. Most people are unaware they have a heart condition until they experience a cardiac event such as a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or stroke. If you suspect you have heart disease from symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, speak to your primary care physician for a possible referral to a cardiologist.
Cardiology is a branch of internal medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular services focus on blood vessels such as the veins and arteries throughout the body that transport blood to and from the heart. For example, the body’s veins are responsible for transporting blood back into the heart for fresh oxygenation and nutrients, whereas the arteries lead blood away from the heart throughout the rest of the body. When the heart or blood vessels don’t work properly, consequences vary, but heart disease can severely impact quality of life if left untreated.
Cardiologists are physicians who specialize in heart health and conditions that impair heart function. A cardiologist can diagnose heart problems through a diagnostic process that includes checking the patient’s weight, heart, lungs, blood pressure, and more during a physical examination. During these patient examinations, a cardiologist may order follow-up tests to check for a heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythm. Cardiologists also treat patients who have had a previous heart attack or other heart problems such as heart failure. Your cardiologist will partner with you to decide if treatment options, which may include heart surgery, catheterization, or angioplasty and stenting, among others.
Physicians who specialize in heart health are called cardiologists. These doctors diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as:
Heart disease is known as “the silent killer” because it isn’t always apparent until a major health crisis occurs. Heart conditions progressively worsen over time, and the early symptoms may be difficult to ascertain. For this reason, it’s crucial to keep regular annual physicals with your primary care physician to check for possible signs of heart ailments. Not only will your primary care physician notice a heart condition, but they also keep track of your health over the years. Even when you’re healthy, routine physical exams provide valuable information to your doctor for your medical history to establish a baseline. Once your primary care physician suspects you have a heart condition, they will also refer you to a cardiologist who can diagnose it with pinpointed accuracy.
There are numerous tests that a cardiologist can order to check for heart disease. An accurate diagnosis is important because it dictates the patient's treatment to get better or effectively manage their condition. A variety of tests are used to diagnose heart disease – some are noninvasive, others are more so.
The following are examples of noninvasive diagnostic tests for heart disease:
If noninvasive tests aren’t conclusive, your cardiologist may want to look inside the body to determine what’s causing your symptoms. These tests include:
Click here to take the Heart Risk Assessment
Photo (Left to right) Collaborating physicians Dr. Richard Begg, Dr. Edward McDowell, and Dr. Richard Neff with patients Eugene Sobota, Leonard ...
Continue ReadingPictured left to right: Majorie Smith RN, BSN, Director Case Management; Carrie McHenry, Care Transition Manager; Kimberly Rathfon, RN Case Management ...
Continue ReadingButler, PA, February 16, 2024… Butler Memorial Hospital, part of Independence Health System, is pleased to announce its partnership with Regional ...
Continue ReadingButler Memorial Hospital in Top 5% Nationwide for Outpatient Joint Replacement GREENSBURG, PA, February 13, 2024 … National recognition for ...
Continue ReadingButler, PA, February 7, 2024… Independence Health System welcomes Justin Wallace, MD, MS, FSVS, RPVI to the cardiovascular team of Butler Memorial and ...
Continue ReadingEnhancements were made possible through the support of the Clarion County Economic Corporation and LSA Funding Clarion, PA, January 26, 2024… The ...
Continue ReadingIndependence Health System is pleased to welcome Alexys Allen, MD, to both Primary Care and Women’s Care Associates of Butler. Dr. Allen received her ...
Continue ReadingBUTLER, PA, November 6, 2023 – Butler Memorial Hospital, part of Independence Health System continues to be nationally recognized for adhering to the ...
Continue ReadingJoin the region's leading specialists from Independence Health System as they share their expertise and offer the latest advances in technique and ...
Continue ReadingBUTLER, PA September 29, 2023 … Butler Memorial and Clarion Hospital, both part of Independence Health System, were recognized by the Good Food, ...
Continue Reading