From routine cardiology care to emergency interventions at our cardiac catheterization lab, the most advanced heart care in the region happens at USA Health.
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At USA Health, our team of heart specialists uses a multidisciplinary approach to treat patients with various heart conditions. Cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and even pharmacists may be involved in determining and providing the appropriate care and treatment. We use a variety of diagnostic tools to assess a patient’s health and, using advanced technology and the latest medications, provide treatment based on American College of Cardiology guidelines.
Many coronary blockages can be repaired in our cardiac catheterization lab without open surgery. When patients arrive at USA Health University Hospital with signs of a heart attack, they benefit from the experience and efficiency of our cardiology team. In fact, our average door-to-balloon time (the time it takes for a heart attack patient to reach the cath lab for care once reaching the hospital) is just 50 minutes—less than the 60-minute standard recommended by the American Heart Association.
In addition to the broad cardiology care we provide to patients, we also offer a special focus for patients with certain diagnoses so that they can receive an extra level of care and attention. These clinics are offered at USA Heart Health Center and include:
Below are the major services that our cardiology team provides for patients at USA Health.
Our cardiology team has a unique program designed to help patients undergoing cancer treatment, especially with regard to how their medication can affect the heart.
At our outpatient testing facility, patients undergo stress tests, Holter monitoring, Doppler testing and other diagnostic procedures.
Our interventional cardiologists use advanced catheter technology to manage problems associated with heart disease.
Children have special needs when it comes to heart care that our pediatric cardiologists can best address.
Patients with coronary artery disease are very likely to have some form of peripheral vascular disease. Pain in the leg may not be due simply to the aging process. Peripheral vascular disease is essentially angina of the legs and requires a specialist’s care.
At USA Health Heart Center, our cardiovascular specialists address heart problems as well as issues affecting the vascular system. We perform exams, assessments, vascular studies and more, including Doppler ultrasounds to measure the amount of blood flow through your arteries and veins, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI) tests used to detect vascular disease. If a patient’s condition can be fixed interventionally, the procedure is done in our cath lab. If not, we work with a surgeon to arrange peripheral bypass surgery.
Many of the most common heart conditions we diagnose and treat are described below.
Both stable and unstable angina are marked by pain in the heart during stressful situations. The pain arises from the heart getting an insufficient amount of blood flow and oxygen.
Also known AFib, this particular arrhythmia is marked by a flutter in the heart where the time of the contractions in the top of the heart (the atria) is out of sync.
A cardiac ischemia occurs when a major heart artery, or one of its branches, becomes blocked. The condition should be addressed before it escalates to a heart attack.
This disease occurs when a build-up of plaque in the arteries blocks the blood supply to the heart.
This condition indicates a slower-than-normal heart rate.
Like AFib, part of the heart—in this case the bottom part or ventricle—is contracting out of sync.
Many patients with coronary artery disease also experience a complete or nearly complete blockage in one of their coronary arteries that last a month or more due to an accumulation of plaque on the artery walls.
A kind of heart rhythm disorder occurs when the heart beats much quicker than it should at rest. It includes ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and sinus tachycardia.
When the heart weakens and is unable to sufficiently pump blood throughout the body at an adequate volume, a person may suffer from heart failure.
Also known as a myocardial infarction, heart attack happens when a coronary artery remains blocked, thus denying oxygen to part of the heart.
With this blood condition, the pressure in the blood vessel that leads from the heart to the lungs rises above normal levels.
This term refers to heart rhythm disorders.
See the cardiologists and other specialists who provide advanced heart care at USA Health.
Browse ProvidersAs a teaching and research entity, USA Health continuously participates in clinical trials. See if there are any clinical trials that might be appropriate for your condition.
Search TrialsSince opening in 1990, the school within the hospital has served more than 35,000 children. Anne M. Vella, Ph.D., founder of ClassAct, is retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
The Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA) is the professional association for some 7,000 physicians of all specialties throughout Alabama. MASA held its annual session recently in Orange Beach.
Price Sessums, M.D., will provide orthopaedic surgical care with a focus on sports medicine; arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, and hip; and shoulder arthroplasty.
USA Giving Week is a celebration of impact – one week to give back and show your support for USA Health patients. Starts April 27. Ends USA Founders Day, May 3. Be part of something bigger SouthAlabama.edu/GivingWeek.
Our calendar lists special events and regularly scheduled classes separately. To display a list of upcoming classes, select the "Classes" option above or visit Events, Classes and Support Groups at USA Health.
