Heart Care

(Updated: 10/25/24)

Longer-Tenured Heart Care Program

St. Luke's: 46 years (since 1978)
Mercy: 6 years (since 2017)

Dedicated, Comprehensive Heart & Vascular Center

St. Luke's: Yes, Since 2000 (97,126 sq. ft. and growing!)
Mercy: Yes, as of 2023 (72,000 sq. ft.)

More Heart & Vascular Experts

Number of cardiologists, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons, ARNPs and PAs.
St. Luke's: 32 (20 physicians)
Mercy: 24 (12 physicians)

Treats the Most Heart Patients in Cedar Rapids*

St. Luke's: Treats 60% of patients seeking heart care in Cedar Rapids
Mercy: Treats 40%
*Source: Iowa Hospital Association

Top 50 Heart Hospital in America

Ranked by PINC AI (formerly Truven Health Analytics/IBM Watson)
St. Luke's: 6 times
Mercy: 3 times

ER Chest Pain Center Accreditation

From the American College of Cardiology, based on rigorous on-site evaluation of the staff's ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
St. Luke's: Yes
Mercy: No

Platinum Performance Achievement Award for Heart Attack Treatment

St. Luke's is one of only 240 hospitals in the country to receive the highest-level rating for quality and performance in treating heart attack patients as outlined by the American College of Cardiology's National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) for Chest Pain - Myocardial Infarction (heart attack).
St. Luke's: Yes
Mercy: No

Fastest-ever-recorded time from ER arrival to opening of blocked arteries

St. Luke's: 13 minutes (St. Luke's average is 59 minutes)
Mercy: 26 minutes

Leaders in Advanced Procedures

• First Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
  Minimally invasive, catheter-based aortic valve replacement procedure that doesn't require open-heart surgery.

St. Luke's: 2016
Mercy: 2018

• Transcatheter Valve Certification
  From the American College of Cardiology, for demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients receiving transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and repair procedures.

St. Luke's: Yes (Only hospital in Iowa)
Mercy: No

• MitraClip for Mitral Valve Repair
  Catheter-inserted device used to correct mitral regurgitation (a leaking mitral valve); no open-heart surgery required.

St. Luke's: Yes
Mercy: No

• Lead Extraction
  Complex surgical procedure to remove wires from devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

St. Luke's: Yes
Mercy: No

• Pulsed Field Ablation
  Procedure that uses high-energy electrical pulses to ablate heart tissue causing irregular heart rhythms without using excess heat or cold, which can damage surrounding tissue.

St. Luke's: Yes
Mercy: No

• WATCHMAN for Afib
  Device that acts as a barrier when inserted (via catheter) into the part of the heart where clots are most likely to form; alternative to open-heart surgery.

St. Luke's: 2017
Mercy: 2023

• Shockwave Procedure to Open Blocked Arteries
  State-of-the-art catheter procedure that uses sonic pressure waves to fracture calcified plaque and reopen blocked arteries.

St. Luke's: April 2021
Mercy: October 2021

St. Luke's Emergency Department is Cedar Rapids’ only Accredited Chest Pain Center, as designated by the American College of Cardiology. During emergencies like cardiac arrest and heart attacks, seconds can save lives. With access to the highest level of cardiac care right here in Cedar Rapids, our patients receive crucial care sooner with fewer complications and higher survival rates.

1960s - 1990s

• 1966 - Cardiac Care Unit opened
• 1978 - First and only Cedar Rapids hospital to offer open-heart surgery
• 1983 - First Cedar Rapids Cardiac Rehabilitation program established
• 1995 - First Cedar Rapids hospital to offer cardiac stents

2000s

• 2000 - Nassif Heart Center opened
• 2002 - First Iowa hospital to introduce the hypothermia protocol for cardiac arrest patients
• 2004 - Named a Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital for the first time
• 2006 - Transition to Home program for heart failure patients began
• 2007 - First Cedar Rapids hospital to perform patent foramen ovale (PFO)/atrial septal defect (ASD) closure
• 2009 - Cardiologists, L.C. joins St. Luke's Hospital

2010s

• 2010 - Received full accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from the Society of Chest Pain Centers
• 2013 - One of three hospitals in the world using a high-resolution electrophysiology (EP) catheter
• 2013 - Cardiologists, L.C. changes its name to UnityPoint Clinic Cardiology and opens in the Physicians' Clinic of Iowa Medical Pavilion
• 2013 - St. Luke's receives full accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
• 2014 - First in Cedar Rapids to use the Artic Front Advance Cardiac Cryoballoon System
• 2014 - St. Luke's develops a program for treating chronic coronary disease; chronic total occlusions (CTO)
• 2015 - Heart & Vascular Institute established
• 2016 - First in Iowa to use the VenaSeal™ closure system, a minimally invasive treatment option for varicose veins
• 2016 - First in Cedar Rapids to offer Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure that's an alternative to open-heart surgery, offers hope for heart patients with inoperable aortic stenosis
• 2017 - A new procedure called the Watchman is performed for the first time in Cedar Rapids, at St. Luke's. Watchman helps AFib patients reduce the risk of stroke-inducing blood clots and eliminates the need for blood-thinning medications
• 2018 - St. Luke's performs first mitral valve commissurotomy, a surgery that improves blood flow through the valve
• 2018 - First successful implantation of the VITARIA^® System in a patient enrolled in the Autonomic Regulation Therapy to Enhance Myocardial Function and Reduce Progression of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (ANTHEM-HFrEF) Pivotal Study

2020s

• 2021 - MitraClip, a minimally invasive procedure used for mitral valve repair, is first offered in Cedar Rapids by St. Luke's Heart Care team
• 2021 - First Shockwave procedure, a treatment for advanced heart disease which delivers sonic pressure waves to fracture the buildup of calcified plaque and reopen blocked arteries, is performed in Cedar Rapids by St. Luke's
• 2022 - The hospital embarks on a $25 million expansion of St. Luke's Heart and Vascular Center

Arterial blockage is diagnosed during cardiac catheterization. Dye is inserted into the arteries of the heart using a long, flexible tube. The dye illuminates the blockage, allowing cardiologists to see its size and location. Doctors then develop a custom treatment plan.

Specialized procedures, such as implanting pacemakers and defibrillators, are performed in St. Luke's Electrophysiology (EP) Lab. One of the most technologically advanced facilities in the state, our EP Lab treats patients with abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). The minimally invasive procedure uses pinpoint precision, allowing patients to return to everyday activities quickly - sometimes in a matter of days.

Doctors diagnose and evaluate circulatory problems such as life-threatening blockages and narrowing of arteries, through sophisticated, noninvasive screening methods in the Vascular and Interventional Radiology lab. The most common conditions diagnosed include:

• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) – blood flow to the extremities is restricted
• Occlusive disease – a complete block of blood flow through a vessel
• Vasospastic disorders – blood vessel spasms; results in decreased vessel opening
• Aneurysm – weakening of the inner wall of a blood vessel; leads to vessel ballooning out of shape
• Malformed blood vessels
• Fistula – abnormal connection between two vessels
• Small vascular tumor

St. Luke's Heart Check is a series of five tests to assess your heart, vascular and stroke health.

Costs:

• $195: Heart Check tests, plus a consultation with a St. Luke's heart care expert
• $40: Comprehensive blood test (optional)

2023 Heart Check Dates: There are currently no Heart Check dates scheduled. Please check back for openings.

How to schedule: When dates are available, please call (319) 369-8129 to schedule your appointment.

What does the testing include?

• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Sometimes also abbreviated as an ECG, this test measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. By measuring time intervals, testing can determine if electrical activity is normal, fast, slow or irregular. Results can also show if parts of the heart are enlarged or overworked.
• Echocardiogram (ECHO): By using a handheld device placed on the chest, ultrasound waves produce pictures showing the size of the heart, its motion and structure. Testing assesses the overall function of the heart muscle and heart valves and can provide valuable information about the presence of many types of heart disease.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Test: An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the wall of the aorta (which is a large blood vessel that extends into the abdomen) becomes weakened, balloons out and can rupture. The condition generally does not have any symptoms but can be detected with an ultrasound screening.
• Carotid Artery Ultrasound: Carotid arteries are large arteries on each side of the neck that supply the brain with oxygen-rich blood. Ultrasound image testing can show whether plaque has narrowed one or both of the arteries, reducing blood flow to the brain and increasing the risk of a stroke.
• Ankle-Brachial Index test for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): PAD is a circulatory condition in which blood flow to the arms and legs is reduced due to narrowing of the arteries. A common symptom of PAD is leg pain when walking. Testing involves measuring the blood pressure in the ankle and comparing it to the blood pressure reading taken at the arm.

What does the optional blood test include?

• Lipid Panel to determine total cholesterol, calculated LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol) and Triglycerides, another form of fat in the blood. This group of tests can determine risk of coronary heart disease.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) provides important information about the current status of the kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as your blood sugar and blood proteins. This panel includes testing Albumin, ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Carbon Dioxide, Calcium, Chloride, Creatinine, Glucose, Alkaline Phosphatase, Potassium, Total Protein, Sodium and Blood Urea Nitrogen.
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test screens for and helps diagnose thyroid disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I've seen these types of screenings offered by companies I've never heard of. Why is this any different?
While you've probably seen advertisements for traveling companies that offer screenings on a mobile unit, the St. Luke's Heart Check gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing the tests are performed and checked by St. Luke's doctors, nurses and technicians. This testing also includes a consultation with a St. Luke's Heart Care expert to discuss your results and advise follow-up care.

Who should be tested?
The Heart Check program is open to anyone concerned about their cardiac health. Those with a past history of heart disease or stroke- either personally or in their family- are especially encouraged to participate.

Where are the tests performed and how long will it take?
All tests are performed at St. Luke's during one appointment. Plan on the appointment lasting one-and-a-half to two hours. Results are available the same day, so your consultation with a heart care expert to discuss your results will take place before you leave.

Your heart disease can go undetected for years. St. Luke's developed Heart Scan to speed up the process of finding heart disease. We use this screening to identify plaque in your coronary arteries and assess your heart's health. There are no injections, treadmills or pre-test fasting.

Cost: $99
Call today to learn more or schedule your Heart Scan: (319) 369-8909 (a doctor's referral is required)

How does a Heart Scan work?

A computed tomography (CT) machine takes X-ray pictures of your heart and detects plaque in the arteries, creating a number called a calcium score. This number determines your heart disease risk. The results help your doctor assess your risk of heart disease and which steps you can take to avoid serious heart complications.

Who can get a Heart Scan?

The Heart Scan is for men and women between the ages of 40 and 70. All that's needed is a doctor's referral. 

Key Heart Screening Tests

It's important to talk to your provider about these key heart screening tests to be sure you are doing everything you can for a healthy heart ...

Blood Pressure: High blood pressure greatly increases the risk for heart disease or stroke. This is one of the most important screenings because symptoms of high blood pressure are difficult to detect. If your blood pressure is greater than 120/80 mm Hg, have it checked regularly. High blood pressure can be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Cholesterol: Also known as Fasting Lipoprotein Profile, this blood test measures LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and total cholesterol. This too can be monitored through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Body Weight: Your Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements tell if you are at a healthy body weight and composition. Obesity puts you at a greater risk for heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat), congestive heart failure, diabetes and more.

Blood Glucose: High blood glucose levels put you at risk for insulin resistance, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to health issues such as heart disease or stroke. If you are overweight and have at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, your doctor may recommend a blood glucose test.

Smoking, Physical Activity and Diet: If you are a smoker, talk to your provider about ways to quit. Also discuss your physical activity and eating habits. Ask about ways to improve your lifestyle and get your heart health back on track!

Why is Screening Important

The key to lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, also called coronary artery disease (CAD), is to manage health behaviors and risk factors. These include diet, physical activity, smoking, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and more. To know which risk factors you may have, your doctor may conduct or request screening tests.

Everyone has different levels of risk. If your test results are not ideal, it doesn't mean you will develop cardiovascular disease. Instead, it means you can start a journey to a healthier lifestyle and change your health for the better!

Some tests, such as body weight and blood pressure, are taken during routine appointments, and some cardiovascular screenings start as early as age 20. Follow up exams depend on your level of risk.

If you have been previously diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation or have a history of heart attack or stroke you may require additional and more frequent screenings. Even if you have not been diagnosed you may require frequent testing if you have risk factors or a family history of cardiovascular disease.

To treat arterial blockages, St. Luke's interventional cardiologists may use balloon angioplasty, a small, inflatable device that opens a narrowed artery. Once blood flow is restored, stents may be inserted. A stent presses the plaque against the artery wall to keep the artery open. Because scar tissue can develop around the stent, some patients may receive stents that release medicine to prevent scarring.

For patients with angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), a St. Luke's cardiologist may utilize EECP, a method that involves placing inflatable external cuffs on the legs to create natural bypasses around clogged arteries. This treatment increases blood flow to the heart and can greatly reduce and even eliminate the almost-paralyzing pain that accompanies angina.

Patients who experience more serious arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) may benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. A St. Luke’s cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology implants this heartbeat-regulating device under the skin of the upper chest with the use of numbing medicine, or sometimes general anesthesia. During the procedure, the wires are guided to the heart via X-ray images.

St. Luke’s was the first to offer MitraClip in Cedar Rapids for patients diagnosed with mitral regurgitation (a leaky mitral valve) and are too high risk for surgical valve repair or replacement.

One of the four major heart valves, the mitral valve connects the left upper chamber of the heart to the left lower chamber. It has two leaflets, and over time, the valve can become diseased and leak (regurgitate). This can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.

A St. Luke’s structural cardiologist attaches the MitraClip to the mitral valve to decrease the gap between the two leaflets. As a result, the valve is able to close more completely. MitraClip is an alternative to open heart surgery. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and involves making an incision in the groin and using a catheter through a vein to deploy the device. Patients typically stay one night in the hospital.

A PFO is a hole in the wall between the top two chambers of the heart. Everyone is born with a PFO. It allows for normal blood circulation during fetal development. Typically, the PFO closes after birth when the lungs take over. However, in about 25% of people, the PFO remains open. In most cases, it does not cause symptoms or heart issues. Others may experience low oxygen levels, shortness of breath, migraines. A PFO increases risk of blood clots and stroke if blood recirculates and bypasses the lungs, which can allow debris to be pumped into the brain and other parts of the body.

A PFO closure had traditionally been performed via open heart surgery. Today there is a less invasive approach. During a PFO closure, structural cardiologists insert an ultrasound device through one catheter for visibility during the procedure. Through another catheter, they deploy an umbrella-type device that is pulled through the opening and released to close the hole. A PFO repair is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 90 minutes, and the patient returns home the same day. It eliminates the patient’s symptoms and significantly improves their quality of life.

A potentially life-saving treatment for patients with arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), pulse field ablation uses high-energy electrical pulsesto remove the area(s) causing the arrhythmia and restore normal rhythm. Pulsed field ablation does this without using excess heat or cold, which can damage surrounding tissue. An electrophysiology cardiologist performs the procedure on an outpatient basis in only a few hours, and patients can resume normal activities in a matter of days.

St. Luke’s introduced and is the only hospital in Cedar Rapids that offers the Shockwave procedure. Shockwave involves the insertion of a catheter and emitter through an artery in the wrist or leg. When St. Luke’s interventional cardiologists turn on the device, it sends a pulse into the vessel wall to break down the hardened material. The artery can then be more easily expanded, and a stent implanted. Shockwave is also known as intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) because it is based on the same lithotripsy technology used to safely break up kidney stones.

One of the newest treatments for aortic stenosis is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), a procedure that St. Luke’s Heart Care team introduced to Cedar Rapids in 2016. TAVR is for patients who are high-risk or too sick for open-heart surgery. It is a catheter-based procedure whereby a St. Luke’s structural cardiologist delivers a replacement valve to the heart through an artery in the groin.

TAVR greatly improves a patient’s quality of life. Additionally, since it does not require a surgeon to open the chest, TAVR patients generally recover more quickly, allowing them to return to their jobs, families and lives sooner.

Also known as the atrial appendage closure, the Watchman procedure is appropriate for patients at risk of developing blood clots in the left atrium of their heart. The device is designed to reduce a patient’s risk of stroke and eliminate the need to take blood-thinning medication.

Watchman is a small device placed in the part of the heart where clots are most likely to form. It acts as a barrier to keep clots from entering the bloodstream. St. Luke’s structural cardiologists implant Watchman through a catheter inserted in the leg, similar to the procedure for inserting a stent.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair
• Adult 2D/3D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms
• Angiography - coronary and peripheral
• Arrhythmia ablation with 3D mapping
• Arterial duplex and full lower extremity arterial exams
• Atherectomy - coronary and peripheral
• Atrial septal defect
• Atrial tachycardia/fibrillation
• Balloon valvuloplasty
• Cancer diagnosis and therapy
• Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA)
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
• Carotid artery stenosis repair (TCAR)
• Chronic total occlusion
• Echocardiography (ECHO)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
• Fetal echocardiograms
• Holter and event monitoring
• Impella device
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) CRT
• Intra-coronary ultrasound and fractional flow reserve testing
• Lead extraction
• Mitral valve repair and replacement
• Mobile cardiac telemetry
• Pacemaker CRT
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
• Pediatric transthoracic echocardiograms
• Pelvic congestion syndrome treatment
• Preventive cardiology
• Stents - coronary and peripheral
• Stress echocardiograms
• Tilt-table tests
• Transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage (LAA)
• Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leaks
• Transcatheter closure of septal defects
• Treadmill stress tests
• Tumor microwave ablation
• Uterine artery fibroid treatment
• Valvuloplasty
• Ventricular septal defect
• Ventricular tachycardia

St. Luke’s Vascular Surgery is led by Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa (PCI) vascular surgeons, providing skilled diagnosis and comprehensive care for patients with vascular disease.

Cardiac Rehabilitation (Cardiac Rehab) is a medically supervised outpatient program for individuals being treated for heart conditions such as heart attack, coronary bypass or valve surgery, heart failure, coronary artery disease and chronic chest pain. The goal is to help patients improve their cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of experiencing another heart event.

Treatment usually consists of hour-long sessions, three times a week, for up to three months, and is covered by most insurance. During these sessions, patient vital signs and heart activity are measured during physical exercise. Activities may involve use of a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, rowing or other machines.

St. Luke’s Cardiac Rehab team also incorporates education and provides resources about diet and nutrition. Ultimately, the program gives patients the tools they need for a successful recovery and healthier lifestyle, as well as the confidence to include or reintroduce exercise into their lives.

For more information or to speak to the Cardiac Rehab team, call (319) 369-7736.

St. Luke’s CAT Clinic cares for patients who take a variety of medications for reducing the formation of blood clots.