Heart and Vascular Institute
Heart disease is the leading cause of death – and a major cause of disability – in the U.S. We provide comprehensive care for heart disease, including emergency intervention, diagnosis, advanced treatment, rehabilitation and preventive education.
We provide all aspects of heart care, including prevention, diagnostics, treatment, open heart surgery and rehabilitation. Services include:
- Cardiothoracic/Thoracic Surgery:
- Aortic aneurysm surgery
- Congenital heart disease repair
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Cardiac arrhythmia surgeries, including defibrillator and pacemaker implantation
- Heart valve repair and replacement
- Minimally invasive vein harvesting
- Interventional Cardiology
- In some cases, heart disease can be treated using minimally invasive interventional cardiology techniques that use a catheter (thin, flexible tube) inserted into the arteries. The catheter is guided to the heart to open blocked arteries and improve blood flow. These advanced techniques are performed on an outpatient basis and offer a non-surgical alternative to treat many heart conditions.
- High-risk Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) program includes the Impella The World's Smallest Heart Pump For More Information about Impella
- Cardiovascular Diagnosis & Imaging
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), transesophogeal echocardiogram (TEE), and electrophysiology studies measure the heart's electrical activity and identify muscle damage that can cause heart disease.
- Nuclear medicine scans utilize a small dose of radioactive material to reveal the structure and blood flow within the heart during exercise and rest.
- Non-invasive imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), X-ray and echocardiograms, which use ultrasound, provide images of the heart muscle, valves, veins, and arteries.
- Cardiac catheterization, or coronary angiogram, is an interventional cardiology procedure that provides real-time X-ray images (fluoroscopy) to show the heart’s pumping ability, the health of the valves and arteries, as well as measure blood pressure.
- Heart Failure Care
- Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Different from a heart attack, heart failure is a chronic, long-term condition that prevents the heart from functioning effectively. Doctors and nurses who specialize in heart failure provide a comprehensive management program that offers the latest treatment options, including medical management, risk-factor management, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization technique and surgery.
- Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmia)
- Characterized by abnormal heartbeat – too fast, too slow, or uneven. Doctors use tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), electrophysiology studies or a Holter monitor, which records heart activity over a period of time, to diagnose arrhythmias. Depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia, there is a range of treatment options, including lifestyle modification and medical management, cardioversion for fast arrhythmias, catheter ablation, implantable devices for a slow heartbeat and surgical ablation to remove the tissue that is causing the arrhythmia.
- MICRA pacemaker, The World's Smallest Pacemaker
- WATCHMAN procedure: Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device can offer indicated patients with non-valvular AF a potentially life-changing treatment option to free them from long-term wafarin therapy
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a means of replacing your aortic valve that is narrowed by a method which is much less invasive than traditional aortic valve replacement surgery.
- Aortic stenosis is a condition that results from narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart. When this narrowing occurs it can put increased stress and pressure on the heart muscle. This can lead to many symptoms, including chest discomfort or pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, fatigue, or fainting. Left untreated, the heart muscle can weaken over time resulting in worsening of symptoms and premature death. The most common cause of aortic stenosis is degenerative (age related calcium deposits).
- Vascular Medicine
- We provide care for conditions such as aneurysm, atherosclerosis, Buerger's disease, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary embolism and varicose veins.
- We provide a full spectrum of care, including advanced diagnostic technology, risk factor management and surgical interventions.
- Heart and Vascular Rehabilitation
- Cardiac rehabilitation support begins in the hospital, following a heart attack or other acute illness. Before you leave the hospital, you will learn about your disease and risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Patients begin a medically supervised, monitored exercise program that includes individual support from exercise professionals. Throughout the cardiac rehabilitation program, you will learn how to lead a healthier lifestyle by learning about good nutrition, exercise, stress management techniques and how to incorporate these behaviors into your lifestyle.
Heart Care for Women
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and we are committed to raising awareness and encouraging preventive strategies to minimize risk among women. Rockledge Regional Medical Center has teamed up with The American Heart Association to increase awareness among women that heart disease is their leading killer, and a significant risk for the members of their families. Our “Go Red For Women” program is our commitment to educate women about their own heart health to promote longer, healthier lives.
Heart attack symptoms in women
Although the most common heart attack symptom for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort, women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. The most common symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest discomfort, which can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. The feeling can either last for more than a few minutes, or can go away and come back.
- Discomfort or pain in other areas of the upper body, such as in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, or lightheadedness.
Heart Care for Men
Men have a greater heart attack risk than women and they experience attacks earlier in life. The good news is that you can lower your risk of heart disease significantly by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising, managing stress, avoiding smoking, and abstaining from or limiting alcohol consumption.
Heart attack symptoms in Men
Symptoms can vary among men – some don’t experience chest pain at all. In some cases, symptoms are mild and can come on slowly, so heart attacks are not always easily recognizable. Being aware of all the symptoms can help save your life:
- Chest discomfort, which can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. The feeling can either last for more than a few minutes, or can go away and come back.
- Discomfort or pain in other areas of the upper body, such as in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, or lightheadedness.
Our Team
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Richard Bernard Jr., NP
Cardiology -
Donna Hedberg, NP
Cardiology -
Donald Messersmith, MD
Cardiology -
Danielle McDonough, NP
Cardiology -
Jose Montalvo-Fitzpatrick, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery -
Srinivas Prasad, MD
Cardiology -
Annie Robbins, NP
Cardiology -
Amit Sharma, MD
Cardiology -
Porur Somasundaram, MD
Cardiology -
Stephen Watts, MD
Cardiology -
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Resources
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The warning signs may save your life, but only if you know them. Take this quick quiz. If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, don’t delay.
Click here to learn more about Porur Somasundaram, MD. "Dr.Som"
Dr. Porur E. Somasundaram is a cardiac electrophysiologist, cardiologist & internist for Steward's Rockledge Regional Medical Center.
Steward Health Care