Cardiology

We are the region’s leading provider of cardiology services, performing more interventions than any other hospital in Northern Arizona. Patients benefit from our experience and technology, with positive outcomes. Ours is one of a few rural programs fortunate to have Board Certified Interventional Cardiologists on staff. These practitioners have met rigorous standards to receive this certification.

We are able to address virtually every heart problem, saving patients the inconvenience and costs of traveling to an urban tertiary hospital. Moreover, we are delivering these services safely and effectively – helping to give our patients the best chance for recovery.

Tests for Cardiovascular Concerns:

Blood Work: Blood is drawn to measure levels of biochemical markers (enzymes). When your heart muscle cells are injured, their contents – including the markers – are released into your bloodstream. By measuring these levels, doctors can determine the size of the heart attack and approximately when the heart attack started.

CT Scanner (Computerized Tomography): Equipment used for Cardiac Scoring, which is a non-invasive, pain free and inexpensive procedure normally requiring less than 10 minutes. It allows technicians to take 70-90 images of a patient’s coronary arteries without any needles or injections as they look for signs of plaque buildup that can block arteries to the heart.

ECHO (Echocardiography): This test is performed to evaluate the valves and chambers of the heart in a noninvasive manner. The echocardiogram allows doctors to evaluate heart murmurs, check the pumping function of the heart, and evaluate patients who have had heart attacks.

EKG or ECG (Electrocardiogram): This is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. ECG is used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart (such as a pacemaker).

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Although rarely done for issues of the heart, this test provides a picture of blood vessels inside the body. MRI can detect problems with the blood vessels that may be causing reduced blood flow. With MRI, both the blood flow and the condition of the blood vessel walls can be seen.

Did You Know…

Cardiac Rehabilitation
KRMC offers an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. The program helps heart patients safely resume a full and active lifestyle following a heart attack, heart surgery, or angioplasty/stent. Through education and EKG monitored exercise, the program teaches patients about heart disease and risk factors, limits and guidelines for safe activity, and reduces a patient’s risk for having another heart problem or procedure.