Cardiology

Cardiologists in Austin and Central Texas

St. David’s HealthCare is a leader in cardiovascular diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Our services include advanced heart care provided by a team of board-certified physicians. We also offer an electrophysiology (EP) program at Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute. This is a world-renowned center for the treatment and research of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).

Cardiovascular physicians and clinics

St. David's has brought together leading physician practices in the area to provide improved care to our patients. Our cardiology offices and affiliated clinics throughout Central Texas include:

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute

The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center is led by a cardiac electrophysiologist. The medical team also includes some of the most prominent physicians and researchers in the field. In addition to treatment and research, the institute serves as an educational resource for heart doctors.

Heart Valve Clinic

The Heart Valve Clinics at Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David’s South Austin Medical Center are dedicated to the advancement and research of valvular therapies. The clinic features a team of interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. These professionals specialize in the latest transcatheter valve procedures and minimally invasive techniques. At the Heart Valve Clinic, patients may complete aortic valve replacement or repair surgery.

HeartSaver CT

This painless test provides the possibility of early detection of heart disease, when it is most easily treated. We offer the latest HeartSaver CT scanner technology, providing sharp, detailed images of the heart. The procedure is similar to having an x-ray - fast, painless and highly accurate in determining the extent of calcified blockage in the arteries.

As the number one killer of men and women in the United States, heart disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer, combined – one death every 39 seconds.

Risk Factors

• Family history of heart disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Overweight
• Inactive lifestyle
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Erectile Dysfunction

Men ages 40-65 or women ages 45-70 with one or more of these risk factors can make an appointment for screening. If you are outside these age ranges, you must bring a written physician referral to your appointment.

Learn more about HeartSaver CT

Heart conditions we treat

Vascular surgeons at our hospitals treat a variety of cardiac conditions, including:

Advanced aortic disease

Advanced aortic disease refers to several conditions affecting the thoracic aorta, such as:

• Aortic aneurysms (bulges in the walls of the aorta)
• Coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aorta)
• Dissections (tears) of the aorta
• Marfan syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting connective tissue)

Heart failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the rest of the body. This can result from:

• Cancer-related problems
• Congenital heart problems
• Heart disease
• Heart electrical problems
• Heart infections
• High blood pressure
• Lung problems
• Substance abuse/use problems
• Thyroid problems
• Viral illnesses

Structural heart disease

Cardiac issues can be linked to specific structures within the heart and their interactions. Dysfunction or congenital abnormalities in the heart's chambers or valves may occur. Our specialized structural heart program provides attentive care, featuring surgeons and heart specialists with extra training in treating structural disorders. These teams are equipped with innovative technologies to swiftly and accurately address structural problems, enhancing heart function and supporting your recovery.

Our cardiology services

Cardiologists at our hospitals strive to provide the best patient experience possible. We offer advanced techniques to diagnose and treat heart conditions. We also contribute to research and are committed to empowering patients through education.

Cardiovascular research

St. David’s is affiliated with leading cardiovascular research groups in the U.S. We also have a dedicated research office to further support and grow our programs. Areas our cardiovascular studies focus on include:

• Structural heart devices
• Cardiac medications
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Therapeutic implants
• Treatments for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and heart failure

Heart screening and imaging

Heart screening and imaging services help us diagnose symptoms. They also inform patients about their wellness before conditions develop. This enables our hospitals to prioritize preventive care. It also helps patients determine their risk of heart disease and failure.

That's why we offer advanced heart screening and imaging services, including everything from echocardiograms (echos), HeartSaver CT to stress tests.

Learn more about HeartSaver CT and screening services

Emergency cardiac services

When heart attack, stroke and life-threatening symptoms occur, we are prepared. At our emergency rooms (ERs), you can receive prompt care from experienced teams of nurses, physicians and technicians.

Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a specialized type of therapy. It is designed to help you develop a heart-healthy lifestyle, before or after heart surgery or treatment. Through education and exercise, you can learn about your heart health and reduce your risk of disease and failure.

Many of our hospitals offer these rehabilitation programs. Patients work with cardiologists, nurses and therapists in a safe, controlled environment. The level of physical activity is gradually increased while the body’s response to exercise is monitored. Cardiac rehabilitation can last from six to 18 weeks, depending on the patient's needs.

Components of cardiac rehab

Cardiac rehabilitation includes two components: physical activity and counseling. Patients practice exercises to improve their strength and cardiovascular fitness. They also learn about risk factors and heart health through individual counseling sessions.

Physical activity

Cardiac rehab includes some physical therapy. Through monitored activity, you will:

• Gain the confidence you need to resume activities of daily living
• Gradually increase the efficiency of your heart and lungs
• Strengthen your muscles

We will customize a plan based on your heart health and other medical conditions. This approach enables us to work toward your wellness goals in the most effective way possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Heart health education

During rehab, you will also learn how to reduce your risk for future heart problems. You and your doctor will develop a plan for managing risk factors and complete nutrition and stress management counseling. If you need it, smoking cessation support is available, as well.

Program duration

Typical therapy programs last six to 12 weeks with one to three sessions scheduled per week. The length of your program depends on your goals, recovery progress and cardiologist’s recommendation. Therapy can begin soon after discharge from your procedure.

Starting cardiac rehabilitation

You need a physician's referral for cardiac rehabilitation. Your cardiologist may recommend therapy following a diagnosis or treatment. In general, participants in our program have had:

• A heart attack
• A heart failure diagnosis
• Coronary intervention, with or without stent placement
• Heart surgery
• Stable angina (chest pain or discomfort resulting from activity or emotional stress)
• Valve replacement or repair

Heart and vascular surgery

Heart and vascular surgeries, including open heart, bypass and valve surgery and treatment of aortic disease are performed at St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Heart Hospital of Austin, St. David's Round Rock Medical Center, St. David's Medical Center and St. David's North Austin Medical Center.

Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David's South Austin Medical Center specialize in the following cardiovascular care:

• Mechanical Circulatory Support (LVAD - only offered at Heart Hospital of Austin)
• Minimally invasive heart surgery
• Mitral valve surgery (repair or replacement of the mitral valve, which prevents blood from flowing back into the heart)
• Structural heart services
• Surgical aortic valve replacement, or SAVR (replacing a diseased valve with an artificial one)
• The treatment of advanced aortic disease

Minimally invasive heart surgery

Minimally invasive surgery uses much smaller and less invasive incisions. This enables vascular surgeons to minimize scarring and pain while treating the heart. Our cardiothoracic surgeons use minimally invasive techniques for a variety of procedures, such as:

• Coronary artery bypass (unblocking or widening arteries to restore blood flow to the heart)
• Endograft (inserting a hollow tube into the thoracic aorta to alleviate blood pressure)
• Pacemaker implantation (inserting a small electrical device to regulate heart rhythms)
• Stent grafting (inserting a self-expanding stent frame designed to seal vessel walls and prevent blood leaks)

There are many benefits to minimally invasive procedures, including:

• Faster recovery time
• Faster return to activity or work
• Reduced pain
• Shorter hospital stay

Our experienced team of cardiothoracic surgeons will evaluate a patient’s condition and assess the surgical benefits and risks to determine the best treatment option.

For more information about our cardiology services, please contact our team at (888) 868-2104.