Leading heart care, close to home in Kalamazoo
Care for AFib and heart rhythm disorders
Electrophysiologists with Ascension Borgess specialize in the heart’s electrical system, diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. Your doctor works with you on a personalized care plan. We provide minimally invasive treatments for AFib, including ablation, cardioversion, medications, pacemakers, defibrillators and more.
Care for heart and valve conditions
Heart valve specialists with Ascension Borgess provide advanced diagnostics, heart valve imaging, and personalized therapeutic and surgical treatments. Whenever possible, your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive procedure, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Talk with a heart valve specialist about treatment options that are right for you.
Advanced surgical care for heart conditions
Cardiothoracic surgeons with Ascension Borgess deliver advanced surgical care to help improve your heart function. If open-heart surgery, such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is recommended, our surgeons have the expertise to provide the advanced heart care you need. We also provide options to manage congestive heart failure.
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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 a cardiologist 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.
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A team of women’s heart specialists
Cardiologists at Ascension Borgess Women’s Heart Clinic have the expertise to diagnose and treat heart disease in women. Our goal is to help women achieve and maintain a healthy heart. Because heart disease may present itself in unique ways throughout a woman’s life, we provide care for women who are at high risk for heart disease.
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Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
Experienced care teams at Ascension Borgess Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab specialize in cardiac and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation care following a heart attack, diagnosis of heart failure, and heart surgery. Our experienced nurses and exercise specialists work with you to help strengthen your heart and lungs, and manage your symptoms and recovery.
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Heart care during and after cancer treatment
Specialists at Ascension Borgess Heart Institute Cardio-Oncology Clinic deliver care for patients with cancer who experience heart issues. If you experience heart problems at any stage of your cancer care, your oncologist can connect you to a cardiologist who specializes in treating heart conditions that develop during or after cancer treatment. Call 269-381-3963.
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When should I talk to my doctor about my heart health?
Warning signs of a heart condition can be feeling tired or being out of breath while doing the everyday activities. If you have concerns about new symptoms, talk with a cardiologist. And if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease and haven’t connected with your cardiologist in a while, schedule an appointment today.
Call 269-381-3963
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When should I have a heart scan?
Your age, gender, lifestyle and medical history play a role in your heart health. If you have symptoms of heart disease or are unsure about your risk, talk to your doctor about a coronary calcium scoring heart scan*. A CT heart scan can help you and your doctor better understand your risk for heart attack. The imaging test delivers a coronary calcium score based on the amount of calcium-containing plaque that has built up in your heart arteries. You may benefit from a heart scan if you:
- Are a man over age 40 or a woman over age 50
- Are a smoker or have a history of smoking
- Have a family history of heart attack at an early age
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
*You should not have a heart scan if you are pregnant, or have already had a heart attack, coronary bypass surgery or a coronary stent.
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What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
For both women and men, the most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women may be more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
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.
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 arm (particularly left arm), jaw, neck or back
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What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. It happens when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is too high. High blood pressure is a chronic condition that can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor about risk factors and how to manage your blood pressure.
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What are some signs of clogged arteries?
Clogged arteries, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), happens when plaque, including fats and cholesterol, builds up on your artery walls. Plaque buildup, called atherosclerosis, can slow or completely block blood flow to your heart. Symptoms of clogged arteries may include:
- A cold sweat
- Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
Talk to your doctor about how to reduce your risk for coronary artery disease. If you are an adult with high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, use tobacco or have a family history of heart disease, your doctor may recommend getting a CT heart scan of your heart.
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What are the different types of heart specialists?
A cardiologist specializes in the diagnosis of heart disease and care of the heart muscle, coronary arteries and veins that carry blood. A heart surgeon, also called a cardiac surgeon or cardiothoracic surgeon, performs surgery on the heart, lungs, esophagus and other parts of the chest. Heart failure specialists manage congestive heart failure symptoms with medication and minimally invasive procedures.
Surgeons and cardiologists at Ascension Borgess are part of a national care team of doctors, sharing best practices and advanced treatment options for more complex heart care.
Different types of heart specialists and surgeons include:
- Cardiothoracic (heart and vascular) surgeon
- Congenital heart specialist, for children and adults
- Electrophysiologist for AFib and other heart rhythm disorders
- General cardiologist
- Heart failure specialist
- Interventional cardiologist, who focuses on cardiac catheterization and minimally invasive procedures
- Cardiac radiologist, who performs diagnostic heart imaging
- Cardiac rehabilitation specialist
- Cardio-oncologist, who treats heart-related conditions during and after cancer treatment
- Women’s heart specialist
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How do I find a cardiologist near me?
If you are looking for a cardiologist or a second opinion on a diagnosis or your care plan, we can help. You’ll find that managing long-term and chronic heart care needs is easier with our Ascension Borgess heart care team. Your primary care doctor can connect you with a cardiologist close to home.
Or call 269-381-3963.