Skip to Main Content

Who does your heart beat for?

The cardiac experts at Dignity Health want your heart to keep beating strong for your loved ones. Early detection of heart problems means treatment can start earlier, so you'll live healthier longer.

Heart Care You Can Count On

For many individuals, the first sign of heart disease begins with a heart attack. Our complete heart care program begins the second you enter our emergency room, where we quickly assess your condition and proceed with the appropriate cardiac diagnostic services. If intervention is necessary, you’ll immediately go to our cardiac cath lab for angioplasty, where a small balloon is placed and inflated to open blocked heart arteries. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommends a less than 90 minute door-to-balloon time. 

Heart Disease Risk Assessment

When it comes to cardiovascular disease, people often don't know their personal risk. Complete your heart risk assessment and find out where you stand. When you know, you’re more in control.

heart risk assessment

Convenient heart care, in your neighborhood

Womens heart services

Women are more likely to ignore the symptoms commonly associated with heart disease. In the U.S., more women die from heart disease than any other cause, including cancer. And, more women than men die each year from heart disease. Our care-team approach works with you to treat and prevent heart disease, by addressing specific concerns and warning signs.

Women are born multi-taskers. Whether it’s work, your kids, your partner or your parents—women are often at the center of it all. Making life happen. Women are also more likely to ignore the symptoms commonly associated with heart disease. In the U.S., more women die from heart disease than any other cause, including cancer. And, more women than men die each year from heart disease. The  team of cardiologists work with you to treat and prevent heart disease, by addressing specific concerns and warning signs.

Typical warning signs of heart disease include pressure or squeezing in your chest, soreness in one or both arms, or shortness of breath. 

Want to know the seriousness of women and heart disease?

Along with these symptoms, women may also experience:

  • Neck, jaw, shoulder or upper back pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain or heartburn
  • Sweating and dizziness
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Irregular heartbeat or heart flutter

Warning Signs: Our team of cardiologists will answer questions about your individual risk, how to recognize early signs and come up with a plan for preventative health care. Learn more about how to recognize the warning signs of heart disease.

Risk Assessment: Our experts work with you to understand the risk factors unique to women, and help you and your physician formulate a plan to improve your heart health. By working through stresses at work or home we’ll help you identify key factors to get you on the right path. Learn more about how to determine your risk.

Wellness Tips: Our cardiologists will answer questions about your individual risk factors, diet, medication, exercise habits and behavioral modification recommendations specific to you. Learn more about how to improve your wellness and keep your heart healthy.

Healthy Eating and Exercise: We will work with your physicians to assist you as your pursue your goals towards wellness and a healthier heart and body. Learn more about how to set health goals and achieve a healthier you.


We invite you download our informational flyers: Women's Heart Health, Heart Attack Symptoms, General Heart Health, Eat Better Facts, Eat Better Facts (Spanish)

Dignity Health Arizona Heart Services

Interventional Cardiology

Interventional procedures are minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment options for cardiology conditions throughout the body. That means, they do not require open surgery. Minimally invasive cardiology treatments have many benefits, including:

  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Faster recoveries
  • Less pain
  • Better patient outcomes
cardiac imaging

Cardiac Imaging

Cardiovascular imaging is used to evaluate and aid in diagnosing cardiac issues or concerns. Care providers frequently request diagnostic testing to gather more information about specific cardiac or vascular disease symptoms. Main types of cardiac imaging are Echocardiogram (Echo), Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT Scan), Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test, Coronary Angiogram, Cardiac MRI, Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).

Why Cardiac Imaging May be Needed

If you or a loved one has heart disease symptoms, your doctor can use cardiac imaging tests to evaluate and diagnose the problem. Initial tests may include an EKG, also called an ECG, and blood tests. If these do not provide enough information, your doctor may recommend that you see a radiologist for advanced imaging with MRI or CT Scan.

If your doctor refers you for cardiac imaging, your test will be performed in a hospital or specialized radiology clinic at Dignity Health. During the test, you will lie on a table that slides through the MRI or CT machine. 

During cardiac imaging, a contrast dye may be injected into your bloodstream to help track the flow of blood through your heart and blood vessels. If you have an MRI or CT  with contrast, it is called an angiography.  When the dye is injected, you may feel a slight burning sensation at the injection site, a warm feeling throughout your body, or a metallic taste in your mouth, lasting for just a few seconds. If the imaging test requires contrast dye, be sure to tell your health care provider ahead of time if you have ever had a reaction to dye or contrast, or if you have kidney problems.

An MRI typically lasts about 30 to 90 minutes. A CT scan generally lasts less than 30 minutes. Your health care provider will ask if you have any electronic implants inside your body before your test begins. Advanced Cardiac Imaging Recovery    Unless you have had sedation during your test, you will be able to return to normal activities after an MRI or CT scan. With sedation, you might need someone to drive you back home. Your doctor will give you special instructions based on your individual needs.

Dignity Health offers a wide range of radiology services, such as cardiac MRI and CT, for advanced cardiac imaging in Arizona. 

For more information about cardiac imaging, speak with a health care provider at Dignity Health.

Vascular Services

Vascular disease involves blood flow, either by blocked or weakened blood vessels, or by damage in the valves found in veins. Our interventional Cardiovascular team offers several treatments for venous and arterial diseases.

Diagnosing & Treating Vascular Conditions in Arizona

Vascular conditions are diseases and disorders that affect your vascular system — your veins, arteries, and other blood vessels. This system is also called the circulatory system. Some vascular conditions are not dangerous, such as spider veins, while others can be life threatening, such as a blood clot.

Chronic vascular conditions develop over years and need ongoing medical treatment. Acute vascular conditions appear quickly and may go away with treatment.

Why Dignity Health for vascular conditions

Dignity Health is a nationally recognized leader in heart and vascular care. We provide a range of cardiovascular services  and diagnostic procedures at our  Medical Center locations. We offer a full range of care from a team of cardiologists and other specialists, including nurses, therapists, technicians, and dieticians. 

vascular services

Vascular conditions can be caused by structural problems with blood vessels, genetic abnormalities, and many other underlying medical conditions. Some lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can increase your risk of developing a vascular condition. A family history of certain vascular diseases can also raise your risk.

The symptoms of vascular conditions depend on the specific veins or arteries affected. Symptoms range from fatigue and mild pain to trouble breathing. Some conditions affect your entire vascular system. These are  called “systemic” vascular conditions. Vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, is one example.

Vascular conditions include: 

  • Blood clots and occlusions
  • Aortic aneurysms, including abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm
  • Lymphedema
  • Carotid artery disease
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Vascular dementia
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Peripheral artery disease, also called PAD or peripheral vascular disease
  • Chronic venous insufficiency, including spider veins and varicose veins
  • Limb ischemia
  • Pelvic venous congestion syndrome
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
  • Renal artery stenosis
  • Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)

The treatment of any vascular condition depends on your overall health and the severity of the condition. The goals of treatment can be to slow the progression of the condition, relieve symptoms, or prevent complications of the disease. Your risk of developing some vascular conditions can be lowered by making heart-healthy lifestyle choices, including getting regular exercise and quitting smoking. These practices may also help prevent the disease from getting worse.

Dignity Health provides cardiovascular treatment for vascular conditions in Arizona.

heart services

Cardiovascular treatments & procedures

If you have heart trouble, many treatments may help restore your heart’s function and ease your symptoms. Cardiologists use a wide range of cardiovascular treatments, from minimally invasive procedures to open heart surgery, to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel conditions. 

The renowned cardiologists at Dignity Health provide complete cardiovascular treatments in Arizona.  We are a nationally recognized leader in cardiovascular care, with  first-class facilities in the Arizona area: St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert  Medical Centers.

Why Doctors Perform Cardiovascular Treatments

Cardiologists recommend cardiovascular treatments to correct a range of different heart diseases, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life.

 

Common cardiovascular treatments include the following: 

  • 3D mapping tracks the electrical activity of your heart muscle to help pinpoint the source of a heart arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat).
  • Ablation, or cardiac ablation, selectively destroys cells in your heart causing an arrhythmia. Cryoablation uses extremely cold liquid.
  • Angioplasty can increase blood flow to your heart by inflating a tiny balloon inside blocked coronary arteries.
  • Cardiac catheterization is a procedure to look inside the arteries of your heart. If an artery is blocked, doctors can perform angioplasty or place a stent to keep the artery open.
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery replaces a blocked area of a coronary artery using part of a healthy artery from your leg or arm.
  • Endovascular stent, or heart stent, is a small tube placed inside a blocked coronary artery to hold it open and increase blood flow to your heart tissue.
  • Heart transplant replaces a diseased heart with a donor organ.
  • Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump that helps a weakened heart work better.
  • Open heart surgery is any cardiovascular surgery, such as CABG, that requires accessing the heart through the chest by making an incision in the breastbone (sternum).
  • Pacemaker is a medical device implanted in your chest that helps your heart maintain a normal rhythm.
  • Thrombolysis uses “clot-busting” medications.

At Dignity Health, our cardiologists work within a team of specialists, nurses, technicians, therapists, and dietitians to provide complete, whole-person care.

Most cardiovascular procedures are performed in a hospital or surgical center. You may receive either light sedation or general anesthesia. Depending on the type of procedure you may or may not stay overnight.. Please ask your Physician if you will need to plan to stay overnight or go home same day of procedure.  You will need someone to drive you home after your procedure.

It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of any cardiac procedure with your doctor.

Minimally invasive cardiovascular treatments require less recovery time than major procedures, such as open heart surgery. You will receive specific instructions and guidelines regarding your recovery from your doctor. 

Cardiovascular treatments can be life-saving procedures. You may feel more energetic than you have for a long time because your heart is functioning better.

Dignity Health provides leading-edge cardiovascular treatments and procedures in Arizona.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a proven, evidence-based practice that has been shown to improve outcomes for cardiac patients by teaching positive health choices. Cardiac Rehabilitation Program can help support recovery, reduce risk for further cardiovascular disease, and increase overall health and well-being.

If you are at high-risk for or have been diagnosed with heart disease, it is important to take action to prevent future problems with your heart. Your cardiologist or primary care doctor can write and sign a referral to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.

cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehab programs are comprised of three phases:

Our cardiac specialists will identify all of your modifiable risk factors (things you can start to change immediately) and create a treatment plan to help you work through and change them. Our team works with you and your family to help you through the emotional and physical aspects of heart disease, and addresses lifestyle changes that are essential to helping you lead an active, healthy life. You will also begin to do low-level exercise activity.

During this phase, you will come to the hospital three times a week for a one-hour, monitored exercise program designed specifically for you. You will be hooked up to a telemetry monitor while exercising to track your heart rate and heart rhythm. A registered nurse and exercise physiologist will supervise your exercises, which may include walking on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike and other gym equipment.

You and your family will also attend our group education sessions to learn more about heart disease. Sessions include:

  • Diet and healthy eating-instructed by registered dieticians, learn the ins and outs of low-fat cooking and tips on ordering meals in restaurants
  • Physical Fitness-taught by our exercise physiologist, learn how to increase activity levels and exercise at home
  • Anatomy and physiology of the heart-learn from one of our registered nurses how the heart works and how your prescribed cardiac medications will help with your road to recovery

Our maintenance program provides you with continued guidance and support for the progress you achieved during Phase II. Through this self-pay program, you can continue an unmonitored exercise routine two times per week. If you are at a high risk of developing heart disease, you may participate as well with a doctor's referral.

For more information, or to make a cardiac rehab appointment, please call (480) 728-3139 for East valley and (602) 406-6000 for West Valley.

Getting your heart back on track

electrophysiology

Cardiac electrophysiology

Our cardiac electrophysiology specialists give you the expert care needed to manage heart rhythm issues by diagnosing and treating electrical activity and arrhythmias. Electrophysiology procedures include Electrophysiology studies, Catheter ablations, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Loop recorders, Cardiac Resynchronization (Biventricular) implantations and Tilt Table testing.

If you have symptoms of arrhythmia such as a fluttering feeling in your chest, the sensation that your heart is beating too fast or slow, dizziness, or shortness of breath, your doctor may refer you to a cardiac electrophysiologist.

Our specialists diagnose and treat arrhythmias with heart and blood vessel imaging and electrophysiological procedures. 

Electrophysiology refers to a group of heart treatments that can reduce your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and reduce your risk of a complication like blood clots. Electrophysiology even holds the potential to permanently resolve heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation (AFib). 

At Dignity Health of Arizona, you can trust your heart to our experts. With a full range of cutting edge services, we are a nationally recognized leader in heart and vascular care. 

Your heartbeat is controlled by a series of electrical impulses traveling within the heart. If these electrical impulses are firing out of sync or if the heart is producing extra impulses, the heartbeat will be irregular. Electrophysiology procedures are used to treat these conditions. The four primary types of electrophysiology procedures include: 

  • Cardioversion — mild shocks to the heart normalize your heartbeat
  • Pacemaker — a device regulates your heart rhythm with electrical impulses
  • ablation — heat selectively eliminates heart cells that are sending errant electrical signals
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) — produces an image of your beating heart using sound waves

We know planning a heart procedure can be scary, but you can rest easy when having an electrophysiology procedure performed at a Dignity Health hospital. Our team of specialists, nurses, therapists, and technicians are dedicated to making your experience as pleasant and safe as possible. 

Electrophysiology procedures are generally considered low-risk, and you may even be released the same day. However, depending on your specific procedure, you may have to stay a night with us for monitoring.

For a few days directly following your electrophysiology procedure you may have an achy chest and a surgical incision to care for, but most people heal quickly. Be aware that your heart may still beat erratically during strenuous activity. Be sure to follow any post hospitalization instructions.  Our team will provide you with all the information you need.  

Serving patients with personalized care, Dignity Health offers solutions for arrhythmia with electrophysiology in Arizona.

Dr. Rachel Bond demonstrates how to perform CPR

February is heart month, a month to raise awareness of the leading cause of death in the United States which is cardiovascular disease. With recent events in the media including the cardiac arrests of Damar Hamlin and Lisa Marie Presley understanding the relevance of CPR, an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating is key. Hands-only CPR can double or at times triple a person’s chance of survival according to the American Heart Association.

Rachel Bond, MD
A physician speaks to a patient

Learn more about Cardiovascular Care at Dignity Health

For more information about finding a cardiac specialist or to schedule an appointment, please call (602) 699-4036.

Need help finding a cardiologist?