Southwestern Medical Center

Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart. Cardiologists are physicians who specialize in cardiology.

Southwestern Medical Center is proud of our standard of excellence and caring we represent. Our mission and vision represent our commitment to the standard of care and services we want to deliver to you every day.

Southwestern Medical Center Cardiology Services

Over the last decade, numerous advances have been made in the area of Cardiology services offered at Southwestern Medical Center. With increased emphasis placed on non-invasive cardiology procedures, and with imaging techniques done on an outpatient basis, the medical center uses some of the latest technology in the evaluation and treatment of patients with heart disease, while providing personal, compassionate care.

Services provided at SWMC include EKG, cardiac ultrasound, stress testing, nuclear scanning of the heart and holter monitoring for the evaluation of heart rhythms, pacemaker insertion and our newest service, transesophageal endoscopy, an internal echocardiograph procedure.

SWMC also houses a Chest Pain Evaluation Unit, where low-risk cardiac patients can be evaluated and observed promptly and efficiently. Patients at cardiac risk throughout JMC are also monitored by telemetry units.

Cardiologists on SWMC’s Medical Staff have been continuously involved in national as well as international landmark studies conducted to compare various medications in the effectiveness of treatment on cardiac patients. In addition, the medical center is periodically involved in Health Care Quality Improvement Projects, statewide cardiology studies sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality.

SWMC has experts available through its Speakers’ Bureau to comment on a variety of topics and services at your next meeting or educational event. The medical center also offers cardiac dietary consultation, which is provided to patients upon physician referral.

Emergency Services

Our Emergency Services has physicians and nurses on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week who have training and experience in emergency care. Patients of all age groups receive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of physical problems.

Electrodiagnostics

Electrodiagnostics is responsible for performing non-invasive testing procedures such as electrocardiograms (EKG), stress tests, holter EKG monitors, electroencephalograms (EEG), holter EEG, electromyelograms, evoked potential exams, echocardiograms and cardiac doppler exams. These procedures are performed primarily to assist physicians in the diagnosis of disorders of the heart, brain and nervous system. The Electrodiagnostics staff consists of specially trained EEG/EMG technicians, echocardiograph technologists and EKG technicians.

Echocardiography

This test utilizes ultrasound waves to record two-dimensional moving images of the heart chambers and valves. This test will detect abnormal chamber size, altered wall motion, and abnormal flow of blood through the heart.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE):
This test allows your doctor to record images of your heart from inside your esophagus, or food pipe. These images help your doctor identify and treat problems such as infection, disease, or defects in your hearts walls or valves.

Nuclear Myocardial Imaging

This test will utilize agents, which are injected into the blood stream and accumulate in the heart muscle to assess heart blood flow. This test gives your doctor information about your heart when you exercise and when you rest. Some of these tests are Thallium, Stress Test, Cardiolite Stress Test, and Sestamibi Stress Test.

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

The ECG tells the electrical activity of your heart.

Stress ECG/EKG:
The stress test, also known as treadmill test, is conducted while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. This test measures your hearts health under the stress of physical activity. A cardiologist or your physician will evaluate the results.

Holter Monitor

This is a device you wear 24-48 hours. It is connected to your body by electrodes. You will need to record your daily activity and any symptoms in a logbook. This information and the reading on the monitor will tell your physician if your heart is beating irregularly.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure available at SWMC used to examine the blood vessels of the heart. It allows the cardiologist to assess the pumping function of the heart and to examine the coronary arteries. By combining the information obtained during this procedure with information from other diagnostic tests, the cardiologist is able to accurately diagnose problems that may exist, and to choose the most effective treatment.

A common relatively painless, non-surgical procedure that can help your doctor diagnose a heart problem. To perform the procedure, your cardiologist inserts a long, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and gently guides it toward your heart. Once the catheter is in place, X-rays with dye contrast (angiograms) are done to help your doctor evaluate how well your heart is working. This test enables the doctor (cardiologist) to see the vessels (coronary arteries) that supply your heart muscle with blood.

Pacemaker

Your heart has an electrical system that helps it beat at a regular speed or pace. Problems with your heart’s electrical system can make your heart rate slow or uneven, possibly leaving you feeling run down or even faint. A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps your heart beating at the right pace.

Vascular Diagnostic/Intervention

Angiograms or arteriograms using contrast dye, and X-rays can be done to evaluate circulation to the legs, kidneys, etc. Some blockages can be treated by non-surgical angioplasty, stents or atherectomy.

Nutritional Services

Nutrition is very important for all people in the prevention of and the treatment for heart disease. SWMC has a registered dietician that will develop a healthy eating plan designed for meeting the needs of each individual.

Use our Find A Physician Tool to seek the services of a Cardiologist at Southwestern Medical Center.

Cardiopulmonary Services

Southwestern Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Services is designed to help patients with heart and lung disease recover quicker and return to full and productive lives.

Listed below are the types of specialty procedures that Soutwestern Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Department provides:

• Breathing Treatments
• Pulmonary Function Tests
• Stress Tests
• EKGs
• Holter Monitors
• Arterial Blood Gases
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
• Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure
• Life Support Ventilation