Cardiology

A heart diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. At Summit Health, our cardiology team provides advanced, compassionate heart health care for every stage of life. From routine screenings to the management of complex heart disease, we offer a complete range of cardiology services under one connected system. Our goal is simple: to help keep your heart strong for years to come.

Our approach to heart health care

Our cardiologists, nurses, and technicians work as one team to evaluate, diagnose, and treat all forms of heart disease. We follow a patient-centered model, which means you are an active partner in your care plan. Together, we build a plan around your health history, your goals, and your everyday life. With long-term support and innovative treatments, we help you manage your condition and live a full, healthy life.

Collaborative, coordinated care

Chest pain or shortness of breath can be alarming, and the cause isn't always clear. That's where our integrated health system makes a real difference. Our full range of specialists share one electronic health record, so we can direct you to the right provider quickly.

Your primary care doctor, cardiologist, and other specialists stay on the same page at every step. This coordination means fewer repeated tests, clearer communication, and a smoother path to answers. If your insurance plan requires a referral, your Summit Health primary care provider can coordinate it for you.

Cardiology and cancer care: working together for you

If you are going through chemotherapy or radiation therapy, your heart health remains a priority throughout your treatment. Our cardiology team works closely with Summit Health's cancer specialists to monitor your heart every step of the way. Using a specialized echocardiogram technique called strain imaging, we can detect early, subtle signs of heart stress that can sometimes result from cancer treatment — helping us protect your heart before problems develop.

Support for chronic heart conditions

Living with a chronic heart condition takes ongoing care, and we're here for the long haul. Our heart care team includes nurses with critical care experience who are ready to address your concerns. When you call our office, they assess your situation and connect you with the right level of care.

You might have a simple medication question, need to schedule a test, or require an urgent office visit. Whatever the need, our team responds with expertise and empathy to help you manage your condition with confidence.

Expert arrhythmia treatment

An irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, requires specialized care. Our electrophysiologists are cardiologists with extra training in the heart's electrical system. They use the latest diagnostic tools and treatments to bring your heart rhythm under control.

Our arrhythmia care includes:

• Pacemakers: Small implanted devices that help maintain a steady heart rhythm.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs): Devices that monitor your heartbeat and correct dangerous rhythms.
• Left atrial appendage closure: A procedure, such as with the Watchman™ device, that helps reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation.

Our cardiologists bring deep experience in managing a broad range of cardiovascular conditions. We combine expert heart disease treatment with state-of-the-art technology to deliver accurate diagnoses and effective therapies.

Heart conditions we treat

We provide comprehensive care for:

• Coronary artery disease: The narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to your heart.
• Congestive heart failure: A chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
• Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats, including atrial fibrillation and tachycardia.
• Heart valve disease: Conditions that affect the valves controlling blood flow, such as aortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse.
• Aortic aneurysm: A bulge or swelling in the aorta, the body's main artery.
• Cardiomyopathy: Diseases of the heart muscle that affect how well it pumps.
• Congenital heart disease: Heart defects present at birth, including care for adults living with these conditions.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD): A circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.

When to see a cardiologist

Consider seeing a cardiologist if you notice chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness or fainting, or swelling in your legs. Your primary care provider may also refer you if they detect a heart murmur or high blood pressure.

At your first visit, your cardiologist will review your medical history and your family's history of heart disease. They'll ask about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and may order tests like an EKG or blood work to understand your baseline heart health.

Advanced cardiac diagnostic testing

A clear diagnosis is the foundation of effective care. We use a variety of non-invasive and minimally invasive tests to get a complete picture of your heart health:

• Echocardiogram and stress echo test: Uses sound waves to create images of your heart and assess its structure and function.
• Nuclear stress test: Evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during activity.
• Holter monitoring: A wearable device that records your heart's rhythm over 24 to 48 hours.
• Cardiac CT scan and calcium score test: Provides detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries to detect plaque buildup.
• Cardiac catheterization: A procedure used to diagnose and treat certain cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease.

Interventional cardiology and heart surgery

When you need more advanced treatment, we offer access to life-saving procedures. For heart surgery, such as coronary bypass or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), we partner with leading local hospitals.

You won't lose your connection to your care team along the way. A Summit Health cardiologist will check on you during your hospital stay and provide seamless follow-up care after you go home.

Pediatric cardiology

Our pediatric cardiology specialists care for infants, children, and adolescents. They focus on preventive heart care as well as the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in younger patients, with the same warmth and expertise families expect from Summit Health.