Sometimes it’s hard to think clearly about "matters of the heart." But it’s important to have the facts and to make an informed decision. Because, unfortunately, one in four people will have — or have had — a heart-related problem. For many, treatment will require hospital care. And while that’s not a prospect that any of us would welcome, there is comfort in knowing that we live in a region that offers superior cardiac care, among the best results, or outcomes, of any program in the country.
Regional and National Leader in Cardiac CareSentara is the regional leader in cardiac care. Whether you need a simple exercise stress test or a brand new heart, you will get the best in cardiac care right here at home.
Our program is one of the largest in Virginia, and one of the largest in the country. Our size and 30+ year history mark us as one of the most experienced and committed cardiac care programs available anywhere — and we have the data to prove it. Sentara Healthcare has proven success rates that outperform national averages published by the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Thoracic Surgery.
In fact, for the tenth year
Sentara Heart Hospital was recognized by the
2009 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" issue for being among the nation's elite heart programs and having an exceptionally low mortality index superior to seven of the top 10 programs.
Sentara Cardiac MilestonesWe were the first in the region to offer patients electrophysiology, angioplasty, laser surgery, stents, artificial heart, and heart transplantation. And we remain at the leading edge, implementing new and promising treatments and techniques as soon as they become available. Many of these are pioneered right here, by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons who are nationally recognized for their participation in clinical trials that examine the most advanced technology and treatments for patients with heart disease.
The
Sentara Cardiovascular Research Institute (SCRI) was established in 2005 by Sentara and its cardiac physicians to advance the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. While Sentara has conducted heart research for decades, SCRI has allowed Sentara to be at the forefront of cardiac research and is now exploring opportunities to partner with
Eastern Virginia Medical School to further clinical research endeavors relating to cardiovascular disease.
Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Imaging
Sentara patients benefit from the latest diagnostic imaging techniques:
The SPY® Intraoperative Imaging System is used after coronary bypass and is performed to provide immediate confirmation of a successful surgery. Dye injected into a patient lights up blood flowing through the veins and arteries, allowing the cardiac surgeons to capture, review, print and archive high-quality image sequences or video of coronary arteries all in real time. Sentara is the only health system in Virginia to use this technology.
Cardiovascular CT Imaging: High resolution images of the epicardial coronary arteries on the surface of the beating heart are obtained routinely at Sentara Heart Hospital using the 64-slice CT - the fastest multi-slice scanner available at Sentara.
Cardiovascular MRI: Using no radiation and minimally nephrotoxic contrast agents, the cardiovascular MRI available at Sentara Heart Hospital enables physicians to noninvasively image patients with a broad range of cardiac and vascular pathologies.
Your Health Care Team at Sentara
Sentara Heart is a comprehensive network of physicians that include family practice and internal medicine physicians, working together with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists and clinicians to provide the highest quality heart care.
Your doctor will also work closely with you to review all procedure options and define the best course of treatment. Your health care team will help you adopt a lifestyle that can not only improve the current state of your cardiac health, but help you avoid problems in the future. And remember — you are the most important member of the team in improving, protecting and preserving your cardiac health. The more you learn about your condition, the better your chances for a successful and speedy recovery.
If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor or nurse or call 1-800-SENTARA.