Our cardiac team can help you live yours.
Marian Regional Medical Center's Sue J. Sword Heart Center brings advanced technology together with a team of heart care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of heart conditions to deliver quality care for our community.
Marian Regional Medical Center has been recognized as a 2023 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients. Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards recognize the top 10% of hospitals across the country in 17 specialty care areas. This achievement reflects Marian's outstanding clinical outcomes and distinguishes Marian Regional as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for coronary intervention.
Blue Cross of California has named Marian Regional Medical Center a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. This designation is awarded to programs that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes.
When a heart attack happens, seconds matter. Marian Regional Medical Center has been designated as a STEMI Receiving Center by the Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services Agency. This certifies that our cardiac team is ready around the clock to diagnose and treat ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks, the most serious kind of heart attack. A STEMI heart attack is caused by sudden, total blockage of a coronary artery and it can be deadly. The chance for damage to the heart muscle increases with every minute treatment is delayed.
STEMI designation means Marian Regional Medical Center:
From U.S. News & World Report: A hospital's congestive heart failure score is based on multiple data categories, including patient outcomes, volume, advanced heart programs and more. Over 6,000 hospitals were evaluated and eligible hospitals received one of three ratings -- high performing (1,144 hospitals), average (1,627 hospitals) or below average (1,345 hospitals) with the balance either not offering the service or treating too few patients to be rated. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating were significantly better than the national average.
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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. As we age, blood pressure may rise gradually, though this varies from person to person.
If you’re wondering how to lower blood pressure, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to help manage it. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a diet low in sodium are all key factors. Limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking can also play a role in managing blood pressure, but other factors contribute as well.
One of the most important things you can do is to “know your numbers” by regularly checking and tracking your blood pressure. This helps you monitor your progress and spot any concerning changes early.
Resources: What Do Blood Pressure Readings Mean?, How to Manage High Blood Pressure, Common High Blood Pressure Myths
It's well known that living a healthy lifestyle is important for long-term health, especially for your heart. Exercise is a key part of staying healthy, and so is eating the right foods. Enjoying a balanced diet not only contributes to helping lower the risk of heart disease but also can help lower cholesterol. Eating a diet that is low in salt and saturated fat while including healthy fats—such as those found in fish, nuts, avocados, and tofu—as well as whole grains, is one of the best habits for your heart. The Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets are popular for promoting heart health because they focus on heart-healthy nutrients. However, it’s important to consult with your doctor to determine which diet may be best for you.
Resources: Top 8 Heart Healthy Foods, Heart Healthy Food Tips, What is the Mediterranean Diet?, DASH Eating Plan, The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations, Add Color to Your Plate
Heart attacks happen frequently—about once every 40 seconds in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many people think heart attacks happen suddenly, but often they start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Heart attack symptoms can vary widely and may sometimes be subtle, so it’s important to be aware of any unusual signs for you personally. Women may also experience heart attack symptoms differently than men, and recognizing any signs of a heart attack can be crucial for timely intervention. Here are some symptoms to watch for:
While chest pain is common, heart attacks can also occur without chest pain or with few to no symptoms at all, though this is less common. Being aware of the signs of a heart attack is especially important if you have certain risk factors like high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease. This information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Quick action can save lives, including your own.
Resources: Heart Attack Symptoms: Know the Gender Differences, Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
Stress is something everyone faces. However, when stress persists over time, it can negatively impact many aspects of your physical health, and especially your heart. Elevated stress levels can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, putting extra strain on your heart and potentially increasing the risk of a heart attack. Learning how to reduce and manage stress is important for heart health. Exercise, hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and avoiding harmful habits may help, but may not be effective for everyone. If stress becomes a problem or leads to mental health challenges, seeking advice from your doctor or a mental health professional is recommended.
Resources: Stress and the Heart: How Are They Connected?, Stress Management Video Tip, Stress and Heart Health, 3 Tips to Manage Stress, Understanding How Stress Affects the Body
The Watchman Device, an alternative to long-term blood thinners to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib), is available at the Sue J. Sword Heart Center at Marian Regional Medical Center.
MicraTM, the world's smallest pacemaker, is available for some patients with bradycardia, a slow or irregular heart rhythm. Unlike most pacemakers that are placed in a patient's chest with lead running to the heart, Micra is implanted directly into the heart via a vein in the leg. The procedure doesn't require a chest incision and does not create a scar or bump under the skin.
Because Micra is completely self-contained within the heart, the potential complications that can arise from a chest incision and from wire running from a conventional pacemaker into the heart are eliminated.
The Sue J. Sword Heart Center at Marian Regional Medical Center is home to an interventional hybrid suite, which brings the high-definition imaging capabilities of a cardiac catheterization lab together with the advanced surgical equipment of a cardiac operating room in one space. This allows advanced diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures to be performed simultaneously. And, if the situation arises, a minimally invasive procedure can quickly be converted into a traditional surgical procedure without having to move the patient, saving precious time.
By merging these capabilities into one room, surgical procedures that used to require two or more hospital visits can now be performed during a single use of anesthesia, reducing the physical and emotional stress placed on patients and their families.
Marian has a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab within the Sue J. Sword Heart Center. The catheterization lab enables Marian’s Sue J. Sword Heart Center to meet the cardiac care needs of our growing community well into the future.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR, is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve in patients with severe aortic stenosis, or thickening of the valve. The procedure does not require open-heart surgery. It may be an option for those who are at risk of complications of major surgery.
Electrophysiology, or EP, is the science of diagnosing and treating electrical activities of the heart, or heart rhythm disorders. Doctors specializing in EP treat irregular heartbeats that are the result of abnormal electrical impulses causing the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.
We have the most advanced heart rhythm management equipment and technology at our fingertips, allowing us to diagnose and care for issues like atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia, to perform needed angiograms and treat congestive heart failure.
Watch our HealthBreak segment on electrophysiology.
We diagnose and treat the full range of cardiovascular conditions using the most advanced tools and technology available today. Our approach to care also includes helping you manage your disease and maintain a heart healthy lifestyle.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Heart disease comes in many forms and can affect people of any age, gender, or ethnicity. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The more you can learn about your heart health, the better. Knowledge is truly powerful medicine that helps you understand your risks and take action to lessen your potential for problems. It can lead to early detection, and most importantly, to early treatment and better outcomes.
Take this quick assessment to:
To connect with a Dignity Health heart specialist use our online directory or call (855) 401-1475.
