Heart Care
St. Luke's Heart & Vascular Care
St. Luke’s is home to the nationally recognized Nassif Heart & Vascular Center, the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular center in the area. We offer a full range of heart and vascular services, including preventive treatment, diagnostics, open heart surgery and the most advanced heart procedures available.
Our commitment to cutting-edge treatment, along with the growing number of patients seeking heart care and needing St. Luke's unique expertise is why we are investing $25 million to expand our heart and vascular services.
St. Luke’s specially trained structural and interventional cardiologists treat patients suffering from blocked arteries, valve diseases and structural abnormalities of the heart, all without the need for open-heart surgery. That means patients recover faster and can stay close to home for nearly all of their heart-related issues.
Our team of advanced heart experts encompasses the specialists and services of St. Luke's Hospital, cardiologists at St. Luke's Heart Care Clinic, cardiothoracic surgeons at St. Luke's Heart & Lung Surgery, vascular surgeons from Physicians' Clinic of Iowa; as well as interventional radiologists from Radiology Consultants of Iowa. This network allows us to provide the highest quality of care and the best possible patient experience right here in the Cedar Rapids area – no need to travel.
St. Luke's is Cedar Rapids' Heart Hospital
Experience matters. St. Luke's treats more heart patients and performs more advanced heart procedures than any other hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Know the facts when it comes to your heart care – more people choose St. Luke's because of our long legacy as Cedar Rapids' Heart Hospital. Here’s why patients in the area choose St. Luke’s:
(Updated: 7/26/24)
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: 29 (16 physicians)
Mercy: 23 (11 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
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
Diagnostic Procedures
Using the most sophisticated tools and advanced procedures available, doctors can quickly and accurately diagnose and treat your heart condition in St. Luke's chest-pain-accredited Heart and Vascular Center.
- On average, heart attack patients are treated 22 minutes faster at St. Luke's than most hospitals across the nation.
- We developed a process to quickly move heart attack patients from the Emergency Department (ED) to our Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab). As a result, we remove the blockage in your artery sooner, which lessens tissue damage and offers you a better outcome.
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.
Open Heart Surgery, Heart & Vascular Treatments
Open heart surgery is the traditional way St. Luke's Heart Care surgeons repair various heart problems, such as:
- Abnormal areas or holes in the heart
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Coronary artery disease (buildup of hardened calcium, or plaque, that narrows or blocks arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart)
- Heart defects present from birth (congenital heart defects)
- Heart failure
- Valvular diseases or damage (leaky or non-functioning heart valves)
Diagnoses for these conditions are made by a general cardiologist, who then refers patients to a cardiothoracic surgeon for open-heart surgery or to a structural or interventional cardiologist for a catheter-based procedure.
Heart Procedures
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.
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.
Additional Heart & Vascular Treatments
- 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
- Aortoiliac occlusive disease
- Arm artery disease
- Carotid artery disease - including carotid stenting
- Claudication
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treatment
- Diabetic vascular disease
- Facial veins
- Hand veins
- Hyperlipidemia
- Lymphedema
- Mesenteric ischemia
- Peripheral aneurysm
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)/peripheral vascular disease (PVD) endovascular and vascular surgery and treatment
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) intervention and treatment (PE)
- Renal artery stenosis
- Renovascular embolism
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
- Transcarotid artery revascularization
- Varicose vein treatemt
- Vascular access for end stage renal disease
- Vascular quality initiative research (VQI)
- Vascular trauma
- VenaSeal procedure
- Venous insufficiency
- Wound care
Specialty Programs
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.
Heart Attack and Stroke Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Each year, approximately 1.2 million Americans suffer a heart attack, and nearly one-third of these individuals die, many before they reach the hospital.
People often dismiss heart attack warning signs, such as chest pain, and think they have heartburn or a pulled muscle. Many people wait too long before getting help.
Stroke is also a leading cause of death in the United States. Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. It is estimated that one in six deaths from cardiovascular disease is due to stroke.
Take time to learn the warning signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke:
- Heart Attack Warning Signs and Risk Factors
- Stroke Warning Signs and Risk Factors
- Women and Heart Disease
If you or someone you love experiences any sign of heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately to go to St. Luke’s ER.
Performing CPR and Using an AED Can Save Lives
Cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating, disrupting blood flow to the brain, lungs and rest of the body. This puts them at risk for injury to their brain and internal organs, and likely death.
Performing CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
St. Luke's Heart Clinics
St. Luke's cardiologists and trained staff travel to more communities in eastern Iowa than any other hospital in the area to bring heart care consultation and cardiac diagnostic services to you, so there's no need to travel. When you need a heart doctor, turn to the largest team of cardiologists and the area's most advanced structural heart experts at St. Luke's, Cedar Rapids' Heart Hospital.
Contact St. Luke's Heart Care Clinic at (319) 364-7101 to find your nearest location or search for St. Luke's cardiology providers.