Treating Heart Disease

Heart disease is the no. 1 cause of death in the U.S., and recognizing the signs and seeking early treatment can be lifesaving. There are many types of heart disease, affecting the cardiovascular system (heart, veins, arteries and capillaries). Cardiovascular refers to the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular). Abnormalities and disorders affecting the cardiovascular system include: 

  • Angina – chest pain that occurs when there is decreased blood flow to the heart 
  • Aortic stenosis – the narrowing of the heart valve that results in blockage of the heart-exiting blood flow 
  • Arrhythmia – irregular heartbeat 
  • Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – an irregular heart rhythm that may lead to a blood clot, stroke and other cardiac complication 
  • Congenital heart disease – any cardiac problem that is present from birth 
  • Coronary artery disease – any disease that affects the heart arteries 
  • Heart attack – sudden blockage of the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart 
  • Heart failure – occurs when the heart is not relaxing or contracting normally 
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy – the enlarged heart cannot efficiently pump blood 
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – the thickened heart walls lead to problems in the heart’s electrical stability, blood flow and muscle relaxation 
  • Mitral regurgitation – occurs when the blood flows back to the cardiac mitral valve during heart contractions 
  • Mitral valve prolapse – as the heart contracts, the abnormal mitral valve bulging to the left atrium results in mitral regurgitation 
  • Pulmonary stenosis – the narrowing of the pulmonary artery reduces right ventricle blood flow to the pulmonary artery 
  • Rheumatic heart disease – a strep throat complication resulting in heart inflammation, affecting the function of the heart valve 
  • Radiation heart disease – chest radiation that damages the blood vessels and heart valves 

Some diseases affecting veins, arteries and capillaries include: 

  • Aneurysm – a bulge in an artery that can bleed and rupture 
  • Atherosclerosis – the formation of plaque along the wall of blood vessels restricts blood flow 
  • Blood clotting disorders – blood clots that develop abnormally slow or fast, resulting in excessive bleeding or clotting 
  • Buerger’s disease – blood vessels swell, restricting blood flow and causing clots to form, leading to tissue pain, damage and even gangrene  
  • Ischemic stroke– occurs when there is a blockage in the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain 
  • Renal artery disease – happens when the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys become narrow and stiff, depriving the kidneys of sufficient blood supply 
  • Raynaud’s disease – abnormal blood vessel narrowing that usually affects the toes and fingers when a person is stressed or cold 
  • Peripheral artery disease – reduced blood flow to the limbs caused by the narrowing of arteries 
  • Peripheral venous disease – leg swelling and varicose veins caused by damage or blockage in the peripheral arteries and veins 
  • Venous blood clots – when blood clots that form in the vein break loose, they can travel to the lungs and block blood flow  

Q&A about heart attacks 

What Is a Heart Attack? 

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a life-threatening medical emergency when the blood flow that brings oxygen to a part of your heart muscle slows down or becomes blocked. Although heart attacks are treatable if diagnosed early, the heart muscle will begin to die if blood flow is not restored quickly. 

What Are the Four Silent Signs of a Heart Attack? 

The symptoms of a heart attack differ from person to person. It can begin with sudden and crushing chest pain or slow and mild. Heart attack symptoms may also come and go over several hours. You can have a heart attack and not even know it. These are called silent heart attacks or silent myocardial infarction (SMI) and are more common in older adults and people with high blood sugar or diabetes. 
 
Seek medical attention right away if you experience one or more of the following silent heart attack symptoms: 

  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for several minutes or goes away and comes back 
  • Discomfort in other upper body areas, such as one or both arms, the back, the neck, the jaw or the stomach 
  • Shortness of breath before or during the chest discomfort 
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness 

The most common symptoms of a heart attack in men and women are: 

  • Discomfort in the center or left side of the chest 
  • Stabbing pain in both arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw or above the belly button 
  • Sudden shortness of breath when resting 
  • Nausea or dizziness 

What To Do If Someone Is Having a Heart Attack? 

Every minute matters when someone has a heart attack. Call 911 immediately if you think you or someone else may have a heart attack. The emergency medical services (EMS) team can begin treatment when they arrive sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. 

Treating Cardiovascular Conditions 

A cardiovascular doctor is a cardiologist specializing in diagnosing, treating and preventing many heart and blood vessel conditions. They evaluate your symptoms and medical history before recommending tests for a more accurate diagnosis. 
 
The Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) accredits a cardiologist’s commitment and competence to their field. A cardiologist follows your pre- and post-surgery journey, helping you manage your cardiac health and heart condition through lifestyle changes and medication. 

What Is the Difference Between a Cardiologist and a Cardiac Surgeon? 

Cardiologists and cardiac surgeons work together to plan the correct cardiovascular treatment surgical procedure for you. Cardiologists are not trained to perform any surgery, but some can perform specialized procedures due to additional training they acquired. For instance, an interventional cardiologist can open clogged arteries by using stents. They can also put advanced heart devices for patients with heart disorders. Some cardiologists may perform procedures to treat heart rhythm issues, including pacemakers, ablation and defibrillation. 
 
If your cardiologist believes you need surgery, they will refer you to a cardiac surgeon who will walk you through the entire surgery process, from preparation to recovery. Our cardiac surgeons in Modesto and Turlock, CA can correct many heart issues such as: 

  • Blocked heart vessels 
  • Congenital or degenerative valve diseases 
  • Diseases of the aorta 
  • Heart tumor removal 
  • Emergency surgeries involving the heart 

You may not need to follow up with your cardiac surgeon as soon as you recover. 

Central Valley Doctors Health System cardiac services include: 

  • Advanced treatments for atrial fibrillation, such as hybrid maze procedures  
  • Diagnosis and intervention through cardiac testing, cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) 
  • STEMI Receiving Center 
  • NCDR Platinum Award for heart attack care 
  • Leadless pacemaker 
  • Lung and Heart Failure Program that includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), Impella, Veran and other 
  • screening and treatment options 
  • Open-heart surgery that includes: 
  • Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with multi-arterial grafting 
  • High risk coronary artery bypass grafting with temporary mechanical support 
  • Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation 
  • Reoperative open heart surgery 
  • Surgery for endocarditis 
  • Mitral valve repair/replacement 
  • Aortic valve repair/replacement 
  • Tricuspid valve repair/replacement 
  • Repair of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection 
  • Repair of atrial septal and ventricular septal defects 
  • Minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery 
  • Peripheral vascular disease treatment that includes aortic stent grafting and carotid artery stenting 
  • Structural Heart Program, our most comprehensive program in the community, features advancements in minimally invasive treatments, including: 
  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) 
  • Mitraclip for mitral regurgitation which is a cause of heart failure 
  • TriClip  for mitral regurgitation, which is a cause of heart failure 
  • Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) 
  • Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure 
  • Ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure 
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure 
  • Watchman or Amulet for atrial fibrillation treatment 

Our cardiovascular care program includes a cardiac catheterization and interventional laboratory and a heart attack receiving center to provide you with a comprehensive cardiac care diagnosis. 
 
If you're recovering from a cardiovascular condition, our dedicated team of physicians, registered nurses, physical therapists and nutritionists will closely work with you to create a personalized recovery treatment plan. Our goal is to help you regain strength and get back to doing the things you love. 

Cardiovascular Services

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