Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women. The good news is that women's heart health can be easily improved through prevention and timely treatment.
Why Choose Loma Linda University Heart & Vascular Services
For more than 20 years, our world-renowned International Heart Institute has provided compassionate, world-class care to women with:
- Arrhythmia
- Congestive heart failure
- Enlarged heart
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
As part of our holistic approach to healthcare, we also treat factors that put women at risk of heart problems:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Addiction to alcohol or smoking
As an academic medical center, the Institute’s cardiovascular surgeons and specialists are internationally known for:
- Diagnosing complicated heart problems
- Performing cutting-edge heart surgeries and transplants
- Developing patient-centered treatment plans for women
- Researching new diagnostic methods and treatment options through our ongoing clinical trials
- Providing follow-up care and rehabilitation services to help women regain their health and wellbeing
By properly maintaining heart health, women will benefit from happier, healthier and longer lives.
Diagnosis & Treatments
Diagnosis
The earlier a woman's heart condition is diagnosed, the better she will respond to treatment and achieve full recovery. After an initial exam, our specialists may order additional diagnostic tests:
- Blood tests to check cholesterol levels and blood cell counts
- X-rays and echocardiograms
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs) to measure the electrical impulses
- Cardiac catheterization to measure blood flow
- Biopsies to detect if the heart is inflamed
- CT scans and MRIs, including 3T MRIs, to identify clogged arteries and other problems
Treatments
Our cardiovascular specialists care for the whole woman, not just her diagnosis. We believe in delivering emotional and spiritual care to every woman we treat. Treatment plans may include:
- Medication to treat hypertension, high cholesterol and / or blood clots
- Robotic and minimally invasive heart surgeries
- Traditional open heart surgery or heart transplants
- Implantation of medical devices such as pacemakers
- Rehabilitation programs and follow-up care to ensure that women recover safely
- Education classes on heart health and preventative care
- Nutritional counseling to help women develop and stick to healthy diet plans
- Therapy and support groups to provide women with the emotional care they may need
- Chaplain services for spiritual guidance and support
