Services

Also known as “blood thinners,” anticoagulants are a type of medication used to prevent or break up clots in blood vessels or the heart. These important therapies must be closely regulated to be certain the dosing is correct. Our clinic helps patients safely manage their anticoagulation medications on an outpatient basis. Our goal is to help you receive the greatest benefit from your anticoagulation medication while reducing the potential risks associated with it.

Our Cardiovascular Health & Lipid Clinic offers evaluation and treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease and to provide expert care when you are diagnosed with premature or aggressive cardiovascular disease. The program seeks to understand the causes of premature vascular disease and complex or persistent lipid problems, and to help reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events through lifestyle guidance and medical treatment. 

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer for men and women and highly recommend in those with a family history of heart disease. At Pioneer Heart, trained specialists will sit down with you to evaluate your risk for heart disease and provide recommendations based on an individualized assessment for a care plan to reduce your risk. Screening tests may include lipid testing, inflammatory testing, metabolic screening, genetics, EKG, stress testing, vascular testing and calcium score for risk stratification. Emphasis on lifestyle modifications including nutrition, exercise and weight loss as well as options for medical therapy are provided for optimal patient care outcomes.

The carotid intima-media thickness test (CIMT) is a measure used to diagnose the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. The test measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery—the intima and media—and alerts physicians to any thickening when patients are still asymptomatic. Early detection may indicate the need for a more aggressive approach to managing the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke. 

Patients with Heart Failure and reduced heart pump function who have moderate to severe symptoms and do not get adequate relief from medical treatment may be candidates for Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM®) Therapy. The Optimizer® Smart Mini CCM® device operates by delivering intermittent electric pulses to the heart muscle to enhance the contraction strength, resulting in relief of symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue and increasing quality of life for the patient.

Implanting the Optimizer® Smart Mini CCM® Therapy device is a one-time procedure that takes about an hour and can be done in an out-patient setting. Once the implant is done, the physician programs the device and activates it, after which the device is expected to deliver CCM® therapy to the patient for up to 20 years. Patients will charge the device weekly from home for one hour using an external charger.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, an echocardiogram can help to diagnose potential problems by evaluating the structures of the heart and the direction of blood flow within it. These tests are non-invasive and performed by our team of highly skilled technologists.

The endovascular specialists at Pioneer Heart Institute perform a variety of procedures to treat coronary, vascular and valvular vascular diseases.

Nearly 5 million people have HF in the United States and it is the most common hospitalization diagnosis for those over age 65. Pioneer Heart specializes in Heart Failure from prevention to advanced therapies providing recommendations for innovative medicines, cardiac rehabilitation, surgeries and devices along with leading research opportunities. This involves clinical evaluation along with diagnostic testing such as echocardiography, nuclear medicine, cardiopulmonary exercise and advanced hemodynamic testing. After a comprehensive evaluation and discussion, a patient driven care plan is designed with implementation of therapy for disease management and improved quality of life. Board certified specialists in Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant at Pioneer Heart offer care for those at risk or diagnosed with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, pacemakers, implantable-cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), patients with ventricular assist devices (VAD) and cardiac transplant.

If you are experiencing heart valve disease, the Pioneer Heart Institute will partner with you and your primary care doctor to create a treatment plan that may include medical therapy, interventional cardiology procedures and minimally invasive surgery. Our clinical team of experienced valvular disease specialists take a collaborative approach to assessing and treating patients.