Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West

When you need advanced care for heart and valve disease, we have a team of experienced cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, cardiac electrophysiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West. From medication management and minimally invasive surgery to cardiac rehabilitation, we’re here to help get you back to your life. 

At Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West, we have multidisciplinary care teams dedicated to caring for your heart. You can have confidence knowing your care team is one of the most experienced teams in the country. We bring together the expertise of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac interventionists, and cardiac imaging specialists to diagnose and treat complex heart valve disease. Our nationally recognized cardiac team cares for more adult hearts than anyone in the state, offering the largest network of cardiologists with 45 locations. And, our heart specialists are part of a national team trained in the latest heart care testing, treatment and procedures.

Specialty care for heart and vascular conditions

Starting with your first consultation, your doctor listens to understand you and your health concerns. Then, we work with you to create a heart care plan that’s right for you. Our highly experienced cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and care teams specialize in delivering advanced care for managing and treating damage to the heart, coronary arteries and other heart and vascular conditions, including:

• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Heart attack
• Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
• Heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), flutter and ventricular tachycardia
• Heart valve and structural heart disease
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol

Advanced surgical care for heart conditions

When heart surgery is recommended for you or your loved one, experienced cardiothoracic surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West Cardiovascular Surgery in Nashville, Tennessee, deliver highly specialized surgical treatments, including heart transplantation. As part of Ascension Saint Thomas Heart, we also deliver advanced treatment options for common conditions that affect your heart and vascular health. At your first consultation and every appointment, your surgical care team starts by listening to understand you and your health concerns. Then, we work with you to create a surgical care plan that’s customized for your needs.

Cardiac interventions to open blood flow

The heart care team at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West specializes in coronary interventions that open arteries, increasing blood flow to help relieve symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. Our advanced coronary therapeutics program provides care for:

• Angioplasty and stent placement
• Chronic total occlusions
• Circulatory support-assisted PCI
• Complex and multivessel coronary artery disease
• Coronary bifurcation lesions
• In-stent restenosis
• Left main coronary stenosis

Heart and vascular specialists at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West deliver many types of advanced cardiovascular care, including:

• Cardiac artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Heart failure management
• Heart transplant surgery
• Ventricular assist device (VAD)
• Medication management
• Structural heart cardiothoracic surgery in Nashville
• Valve repair or replacement, TAVR and MitraClip™ surgery
• Vascular surgery, and treatment for aortic aneurysm and blood clots

We also have specialists who deliver advanced care for heart conditions during cancer care (called cardio-oncology conditions) and for women at risk for heart disease. We provide a risk assessment and care plan personalized for women and their health needs.

Heart attack and stroke care and prevention

If you or a loved one experiences chronic chest pain, heart care teams at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West deliver personalized cardiac treatments. Our chest pain center is certified by The Joint Commission. Start a conversation with a heart specialist who listens. We take the time to understand you and your health to provide heart care that's right for you.

Warning signs of a heart attack

If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a history of heart disease, you are at higher risk for heart attack. Some heart attacks begin suddenly, while others start with mild discomfort. Taking immediate action once you recognize the symptoms is the most important thing you can do to get lifesaving care. Watch for these symptoms of heart attack in both men and women:

• Chest discomfort, pressure, or pain
• Difficulty breathing independent of activity
• Lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
• New weakness or fatigue
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Sudden pain in the arm (particularly left arm), jaw, neck, or back

Go to the ER right away if you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one. Our ER and Chest Pain Center at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West is open 24/7 for life-threatening emergencies, backed by leading heart, stroke and surgical specialists. And we connect the dots to follow-up care, lab, imaging, and pharmacy.

If you are experiencing chest pain, especially in combination with jaw or arm pain, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or difficulty breathing, you might be having a heart attack. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Heart scans to detect risk

A simple heart screening can help you and your doctor better understand your heart health and could help save your life. Talk to your primary care doctor to see if a heart screening is right for you.

A heart scan is not for everyone. It is not recommended for routine screening of people who do not have symptoms of heart disease and have a low risk of heart attacks. Some heart disease risk factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use and a family history of heart disease. Talk with your doctor to see if a heart scan is right for you. 

Supporting your heart care recovery

Whenever possible, your heart surgeon or interventional cardiologist uses minimally invasive techniques and image-guided technology to deliver advanced treatments and procedures to help shorten your recovery. Sometimes your doctor may recommend an overnight stay in the hospital after surgery for additional monitoring and care. You are connected to the care you need through recovery:

• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Heart nutrition counseling 
• Heart failure education and senior wellness programs
• Medication anticoagulation management
• Transitional care, bridging next steps once home

Cardiovascular research and clinical trials

Many of the doctors at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart sites of care are also principal investigators in national and regional heart and vascular clinical trials. Our doctors are committed to being leaders in cardiovascular research, working to help improve how we diagnose and treat heart and vascular diseases. Your doctor may recommend a clinical trial as part of your care. And you can talk to your cardiologist if you are interested in participating in clinical trials.

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