You may want to see a cardiologist or heart care provider if you have heart-related symptoms, have been diagnosed with a heart condition or want a second opinion about your heart care. Your primary care provider can also help you decide if seeing a cardiologist is the right next step in your care.

Each of our CVA offices features a team of committed specialists with decades of combined experience in cardiovascular disease. Our clinics use the latest state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat a variety of heart conditions, and we also work alongside local hospitals to provide expert treatments and services.

Ballad Health has been consistently recognized as a leader in cardiovascular treatment and research. Our teams have earned countless accolades for our exceptional programs and services, such as carotid artery stenting and cardiothoracic surgery.

Some patients might need a referral to see a cardiology doctor or advanced practice provider, depending on their insurance plan. Others may be able to schedule directly. Check with your insurance provider to understand what your plan requires. 

To schedule an appointment, you can either call our team directly at 833-8-BALLAD Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or request an appointment through our online form. A member of our team will help connect you with cardiology care that fits your needs.

Your cardiologist or advanced practice provider will talk with you about your symptoms, health history, medications and any past test results. They may also recommend testing, such as lab work, an echocardiogram, stress test or other imaging, if more information is needed.

Cardiologists focus on the heart and cardiovascular system. They specialize in how the heart works and the diseases that can affect it. A cardiologist diagnoses and treats heart disease with medications and procedures, such as catheterization or angiography.

Cardiothoracic surgeons perform operations on the heart muscle, heart valves, arteries to the heart and major blood vessels in the chest and lungs.

All operations can carry some risk. Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease or kidney disease, can increase the risk of complications for some patients.

Your care team will take precautions to help prevent complications and reduce your risk. You should always speak with your physician about your operation and its risks before your procedure.

Your follow-up care will depend on the level of your surgery and whether you had any complications. After your procedure, you will have at least one appointment with your surgeon. Information about your surgery and follow-up visit will be sent to your referring provider.

Over the next several weeks, you will have scheduled appointments with your cardiologist to monitor your recovery, medications and other needs. Your heart health is a lifelong commitment, and your cardiologist will schedule regular follow-up visits as well.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help patients who have had heart surgery begin an exercise program. During the program, you are monitored with the goal of slowly and gradually building toward a level of exercise that helps support a healthy lifestyle. Classes are led by specially trained cardiac rehabilitation nurses and a cardiologist.

Depending on your doctor's recommendations, the program usually lasts 12 weeks. Patients generally attend a one-hour session three times per week. In addition to exercise, the program includes educational resources to help with stress management, eating habits and lifestyle changes.