Cardiology
Cardiology is the medical treatment of diseases of the heart and parts of the circulatory system. Cardiologists are the doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Heart and vascular care in Summerville, South Carolina
From cardiovascular disease to major cardiac events, we're here for you.
Your heart is important to us. At Summerville Medical Center, our heart doctors provide empathetic support, such as advanced diagnostics, cardiovascular surgery and cardiac rehabilitation.
Take a free heart disease risk assessment
Learn more about your risk of heart disease. This information can be helpful in knowing more about your health and if you should make an appointment to see your doctor.
Learn more about your risk of heart disease. This information can be helpful in knowing more about your health and if you should make an appointment to see your doctor.
Cardiovascular conditions we treat
We offer access to knowledgeable and educated specialists who are experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions and diseases, including:
- Arrhythmias
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Our cardiology treatments and services
You'll receive diagnostics and personalized treatment plans through our cardiology services, which are designed to support your journey towards a healthier heart.
Heart testing and diagnosis
To properly diagnose a heart condition, we want to intervene at the earliest stage possible and get the most accurate reading on your heart. Our cardiologists have advanced training in cardiac imaging and testing, offering diagnostics such as:
- 64-slice computerized tomography (CT) scans — This is one of the most advanced cardiac diagnostic tools available today. A CT scan creates a 3D picture to provide a clear and instant view of the entire heart.
- Angiogram — Sometimes called a coronary CT angiogram (CCTA), this is a cardiac imaging study performed on a 64-slice CT scanner. CCTAs help to visualize the coronary arteries and evaluate for narrowing and atherosclerosis (plaque build-up on the artery walls).
- Echocardiogram — Echocardiography allows your doctor to see how your heart is working by using sound waves to produce images of your heart. These images help them diagnose conditions such as problems with the aorta, issues with the heart valves and blood clots.
Cardiology services and treatments our heart doctors offer
Our doctors are trained to handle cardiology diagnoses with a wide range of treatments and next-steps.
Cardiovascular surgery
We offer a wide range of heart and vascular surgeries, including:
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
- Heart valve replacement
- Implantable cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers
- Maze procedure and arrhythmia surgeries
- Minimally invasive aortic and mitral valve repair and replacement
- Minimally invasive endoscopic vein harvesting
- Repair of adult congenital heart lesions
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Cardiac rehabilitation
Our staff will monitor and evaluate your heart rates and rhythms while supporting your participation in a safe exercise program.
If you have experienced one or more of the following conditions, you may benefit from our heart rehabilitation program:
- Heart attack in the last 12 months
- Complex heart surgery
- Current, stable angina
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Coronary stenting
- Heart or lung transplant
- Stable chronic heart failure (your doctor must provide qualifying criteria on referral)
When to go to the emergency room (ER) for a cardiovascular condition
There are certain physical symptoms related to your heart that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment. Sometimes immediate attention is required, and we're here to help.
Emergency heart care
You may want to head straight to the emergency department if you experience heart attack symptoms such as:
- Chest pain (may be described as discomfort, pressure, aching, burning or fullness; may begin or worsen with exercise or be relieved with rest or nitroglycerin)
- Pain in the back, jaw and other upper body areas (the pain might go away and come back)
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Anxiety or a sense of dread
- A cough
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Weakness or fatigue
- A fast heart rate
- Indigestion
If you are a woman experiencing a heart attack, you may not have chest pain. Symptoms in women tend to be more subtle and can include:
- Pain in the jaw or upper back
- Light-headedness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
Our staff is trained to quickly diagnose heart attacks and treat patients using advanced technology, proficiency and care.