Why Choose Val Verde
Heart health is extremely important at all ages and a person is never too young to take care of this vital organ. VVRMC’s Heart Health Clinic keeps patients healthy with accurate diagnoses, monitoring symptoms and providing pharmacological and if necessary interventional cardiology treatments. The best outcomes are from early diagnosis and treatment and frequent check ups. Cardiac issues encompass several conditions, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Keep an eye out for these key warning signs and symptoms of cardiac issues:
- Chest Pain or Pressure (Angina): Squeezing, fullness, or discomfort in the center of the chest.
- Shortness of Breath: Trouble catching your breath during physical activity or when lying down flat.
- Heart Palpitations: A rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat.
- Dizziness or Fainting: Lightheadedness caused by irregular blood flow.
- Swelling (Edema): Fluid buildup causing swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.
- Unexplained Fatigue: Feeling constantly exhausted, even after adequate rest.
- Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, back, stomach, or one or both arms.
- Nausea, indigestion, or vomiting.
- Breaking out in a cold sweat or extreme anxiety.
The Cardiopulmonary Department is located within ValVerde Regional Medical Center. To schedule appointments or consultations call: 830-778-3806. A heart attack requires immediate emergency medical attention. If you believe you are experiencing a heart attack, call 911.
Conditions
Coronary Heart Disease
a condition and especially one caused by atherosclerosis (deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries) that reduces blood flow through the coronary arteries to the heart and typically results in chest pain or heart damage
Arrhythmia
an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force
Heart Attack
an acute episode of coronary heart disease marked by the death or damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply to the heart usually as a result of a coronary artery becoming blocked by a blood clot formed in response to a ruptured or torn fatty arterial deposit
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high; it usually has no symptoms but forces the heart to work harder, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage
Preeclampsia
a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated
Stroke
sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion that is caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain, and is accompanied by permanent damage of brain tissue
Heart Failure
a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume
Congenital Heart Disease
a problem with the heart’s structure that is present at birth
Diagnostics
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
PFTs are non-invasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. Tests measure lung volume, capacity and rates of flow. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders. As a requirement for testing, patients should bring a list of current medications as well as any allergies. If a patient uses breathing treatments or inhalers, they must not be taken 8 hours prior to exam. This exam is by appointment only and will take about one hour.
Bedside Spirometry
Bedside spirometry is a measurement of the breathing capacity of the lungs, such as in pulmonary function tests. This exam is by appointment only.
Electrocardiogram
EKG or ECG is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. No appointment is needed for this exam.
Arterial Blood Gas
This test measures the acidity (pH) and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. It is used to check how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. No appointment is needed for this exam.
Treatments & Support
Interventional cardiology is a less invasive procedure that unblocks arteries and enables better blood flow. Physicians use catheters (small tubes) to get inside blood vessels in order to repair damaged vessels and other heart structures. It is a nonsurgical method used to improve heart and vascular function. VVRMC has a catheter lab staffed with highly skilled, trained professionals ready to assist our interventional cardiologists in performing these procedures. Because it is a non-invasive modality, there is less risk involved and a shorter recovery time.
The Heart Health Medical Director is Stephen Korte, MD. Dr. Korte has 50 years of experience in helping patients achieve their best cardiac health.
Call 830.778.3696 for more information or to make an appointment.
Cardiac rehab is a unique multi-disciplinary program that effectively treats and manages acute and chronic cardiac problems. Patients are evaluated and offered an individualized treatment plan, which often includes physical activity, nutrition instruction and information on stress management.
Participating patients experience emotional and physical health benefits from cardiac rehab, including improved stamina, reversing damage to blood vessels in the heart, weight loss, and the ability to control weight and overall well-being. Lifestyle changes prescribed in cardiac rehab have far-reaching beneficial effects to overall health and well-being.
– Patients who have these conditions or procedures benefit form a cardiac rehab program:
- Coronary artery bypass surgery within the past six months
- Heart attack within the past 12 months
- Angioplasty or stent within the past six months
- Stable angina positive stress test within the past six months
- Valve repair or replacement within the past six months
- Heart or combined heart-lung transplant within the past 12 months
- Stable congestive heart failure (class II to IV with EF <35%)
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation
VVRMC’s state-of-the-art cardiopulmonary monitoring platform provides individualized reports on each patient’s heart rates, weight-loss and rehabilitative achievements. These reports closely track progress.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is caused by plaque (fat and cholesterol) build up in the arteries leading to the extremities. This build up narrows the arteries causing a decrease in blood circulation. It is usually associated with pain in the legs when walking that becomes less severe with rest. People with PAD frequently have Cardiac Artery Disease (CAD) as well.
SET improves PAD significantly. It is an exercise therapy which includes walking until there is some pain. Resting until the pain eases and continuing with the walk/rest therapy for 30-45 minutes several times a week. SET has been proven in a multitude of studies to raise the quality of life for participants. Exercise creates new blood vessels which improve circulation lessening the effects of PAD. Being able to walk without pain makes life better.
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation program now includes SET. If you have been diagnosed with PAD or CAD, start moving and feeling better.
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
PFTs are non-invasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. Tests measure lung volume, capacity and rates of flow. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders. As a requirement for testing, patients should bring a list of current medications as well as any allergies. If a patient uses breathing treatments or inhalers, they must not be taken 8 hours prior to exam. This exam is by appointment only and will take about one hour.
Bedside Spirometry
Bedside spirometry is a measurement of the breathing capacity of the lungs, such as in pulmonary function tests. This exam is by appointment only.
Electrocardiogram
EKG or ECG is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. No appointment is needed for this exam.
Arterial Blood Gas
This test measures the acidity (pH) and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. It is used to check how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. No appointment is needed for this exam.
The Cardiopulmonary Department is located within ValVerde Regional Medical Center
