Comprehensive cardiac care close to home

Your heart works hard for you every day and taking care of it is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Whether it’s keeping your blood flowing, maintaining your energy or supporting your overall well-being, your heart is at the center of it all. That’s why it’s important to have access to expert care when you need it. UHS is proud to offer exceptional cardiac care close to home, with experienced specialists and innovative technology to keep your heart healthy and strong.

Heart Month is recognized in February and is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death among Americans. To mark this important occasion, UHS is pleased to highlight its comprehensive cardiac care services and the team caring for its patients.

“You or a loved one may not need a cardiac specialist now, but it’s always helpful to have this information ready when you do. UHS is Greater Binghamton’s cardiac care leader, offering the area’s only interventional and cardiac surgery program with comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services. The UHS Heart & Vascular program includes twelve board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons who are fellowship-trained in a variety of highly sought-after subspecialties, such as cardiac imaging and heart failure physicians,” said UHS Cardiac Services Director Bridget Metzler.

Cardiology

Cardiologists provide initial diagnostic services, ongoing patient management of diseases and conditions, referrals to other cardiac specialists (including cardiothoracic surgeons) and post-surgical follow-up care. The UHS Advanced Heart Failure Program stands out as a unique offering, where highly skilled cardiologists and nurse practitioners specialize in heart failure management, offering personalized care and advanced cardiac therapies. To date, the service has helped 15 post-operative heart transplant patients manage their ongoing care locally, decreasing the necessity to travel three to five hours away for their follow-up care. The program’s specialists are currently monitoring an additional 20 patients awaiting transplants, many of whom have implanted mechanical circulatory support, such as left ventricular assist devices.

In addition to the high level of care, hospitalized cardiac patients have access to cutting-edge cardiac interventional and monitoring services, including a brand new 30-bed telemetry floor in the new UHS Wilson Main Tower, designed with innovative technology and private rooms for optimal care and comfort.

Diagnostics

UHS offers a full range of cardiovascular imaging, including the only cardiac imaging CT/MRI in the region. The program has expanded exponentially in the last two years: services now include CT scans to diagnose coronary artery disease, heart blockages and structural abnormalities, as well as MRIs to assess cardiac function, heart-attack damage, blood flow, inflammation, congenital defects, heart failure, valve defects and more. The UHS cardiovascular imaging team earned a HeartFlow CT Quality Award, recognizing the high quality of its cardiovascular imaging program. Recipients of this award are in the top 20% of medical centers globally.

Electrophysiology/interventional/structural cardiology

UHS electrophysiologists are the experts who manage the heart's electrical signals and control its rhythms. These specialists perform treatments in the electrophysiology laboratory, including

advanced care for conditions like atrial fibrillation, a risk factor for stroke that can be minimized with a WATCHMAN device.

UHS interventional and structural cardiologists specialize in the non-surgical treatment of coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects and structural heart disease affecting all aspects of the heart. Many of these procedures are performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, including cardiac catheterization, stenting, mechanical thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Cardiothoracic surgery

UHS Cardiothoracic surgeons offer a comprehensive range of surgical treatments, including coronary artery bypass grafts, aortic valve replacement and repair of congenital structural heart defects. They also perform minimally invasive robotic thoracic procedures, allowing surgeons to easily view the lungs and obtain tissue samples for biopsy.

Cardiac rehabilitation Cardiac rehabilitation is a vital component of recovery and long-term heart health for patients with congestive heart failure, stable angina or those recovering from certain heart surgeries or a heart attack. It focuses on both physical and emotional well-being to support overall recovery. UHS offers cardiac rehab at UHS Binghamton General Hospital in Binghamton, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, UHS Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton and for inpatients at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City.

The supervised exercise environment in UHS cardiac rehab facilities offers education related to lifestyle changes, improves cardiovascular health and provides psychological support as patients learn about the long-term benefits of exercise and medication compliance. UHS Cardiac Rehabilitation Supervisor Christopher Mosconi said, “After undergoing a heart procedure, most patients feel scared and overwhelmed. We visit during hospitalization to introduce the service and showcase cardiac rehab as a supportive environment for patients to heal physically and emotionally.”

Most insurance plans cover up to 36 sessions, with patients attending two or three times a week. Cardiac Rehabilitation at UHS’ Binghamton General Hospital is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, reflecting UHS’ commitment to upholding the highest standards of patient care, education and outcomes.

Patient support

UHS recently reintroduced its bimonthly Mended Hearts chapter meetings, a patient support group that offers hope, educates patients about cardiovascular health and empowers them as they manage a heart-healthy lifestyle. The group is growing its membership and encourages cardiac patients or caregivers to join us at the next meeting, Tuesday, March 11, at 5:15 pm at the UHS Heart & Vascular office in Johnson City (35 Hudson Street entrance). Visit www.nyuhs.org/events-search/2331 for meeting dates and locations.

Ready to learn more about cardiac care at UHS? Visit Binghamton Cardiologists: Heart Care Doctors & Treatments | UHS (nyuhs.org).