Hilton Head Regional Healthcare is your partner for looking after your heart health. We offer a comprehensive heart care program from routine heart screenings and cardiothoracic surgery, to stress tests and interventional cardiology. Our nationally recognized heart team can treat and manage a wide range of cardiovascular diseases for communities in the Lowcountry. The following recognitions are proof of our dedication to the work that we do:

Exceptional Cardiovascular Care From Diagnosis to Rehabilitation

Your heart is the pump that keeps your body moving. But if your heart is unhealthy, it can't work properly, making it hard to live a normal life. You may feel tired and uncomfortable. Even worse, you could have a heart attack that sends you to the emergency room.

What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease is a general term for all conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries). More than 800,000 people die of cardiovascular disease every year in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute.

Diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels include:

• Coronary heart disease - a disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.
• Stroke - a condition that occurs when the arteries leading to and within the brain are blocked, depriving that part of the brain of oxygen-rich blood, which can cause brain cells to die. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States.
• Congenital heart defects - malformations of the heart structure present at birth that affect the normal development and function of the heart.
• Peripheral artery disease - a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs.

How healthy is your heart? Take this free online heart health assessment to know your risks and prevent a future cardiac event.

What Does a Cardiologist Do?

Cardiologists diagnose, assess and treat various diseases that affect the cardiovascular system. They also promote heart-healthy habits and disease prevention through lifestyle modifications and a heart-friendly diet. Cardiologists may also take up medical specializations, such as:

• Interventional cardiology
• Adult congenital heart disease
• Cardiac imaging
• Electrophysiology including ablation
• Electrical device therapy
• Heart failure, including cardiac transplantation and support devices

There are a lot of things you can do to fight off cardiovascular disease. Watch this short video to learn the nine ways to protect yourself and your family from heart disease.

When Would I Need a Cardiologist?

Heart disease tends to develop over time. Some people may have early symptoms long before they receive a severe diagnosis. Symptoms differ from person to person and are often not obvious. The following are some of the warning signs to look out for, especially if you have had a heart attack, heart failure or a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol:

• Chest pain along the front of the body between your neck and upper abdomen
• Shortness of breath even while resting or lying flat on your back
• Coughing or wheezing that won't go away
• Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet
• Narrowed blood vessels
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Fast or uneven heartbeat (palpitations)

If you have any of these symptoms, don't wait to see if the symptoms will go away, or take too long to get medical attention. Call your healthcare provider right away.

Why Choose Hilton Head Regional Healthcare for Your Heart Health?

When it comes to your heart and vascular health, you can count on Hilton Head Regional Healthcare to provide comprehensive and compassionate cardiovascular care close to home. We are here for you with various cardiovascular services, including diagnostic tests, medications, robot-assisted procedures and rehabilitation. Our team of experienced health professionals and dedicated staff are ready to help develop a personalized treatment plan to manage and improve your cardiovascular health.

Screenings – Your cardiologist may recommend a series of screenings to help measure your heart health. Tests may include cholesterol, genetic/metabolic testing or urine analysis.

Diagnostic services

• Echocardiography
• Stress tests
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Pulmonary function testing
• Imaging
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) for calcium scoring
• Ultrasound
• Angiography
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Respiratory therapy

Interventional cardiology – Health professionals trained in minimally invasive treatments that reverse, heal or stop heart disease progression

Watch this short video to learn how Hilton Head Regional Healthcare can help you navigate your journey to feeling better.