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Why Cullman Regional Cardiovascular Services

For more than 25 years, Cullman Regional has been dedicated to delivering innovative, comprehensive cardiovascular services. Our team of highly skilled cardiologists and surgeons combined with our commitment to invest in life saving technology means you can count on Cullman Regional to take care of your heart health.

Comprehensive Services & Procedures

Comprehensive cardiovascular services and procedures include, but are not limited to the following:
Non-Invasive Procedures
  • Echocardiogram
  • Carotid Doppler Study
  • Venous Doppler Study
  • Arterial Studies
  • Abdominal/Renal Doppler Study
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Testing
Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Procedures
  • Arterial Line Placement
  • Heart Catheterization
  • Left Ventriculogram
  • Temporary Pacemaker Placement
  • Loop Recorder Insertion and Removal
  • Permanent Pacemaker Placement
  • Swan Ganz Placement
  • Cardiac Catheterization (Angiography)
  • Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
  • Exercise Stress Test
Conditions and Diseases Treated
  • Adult Acquired Heart Disease
  • Adult Congenital Heart
  • Arrhythmia
  • Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)
  • Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • General Cardiology
  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Women’s Heart Disease

A Cardiac CT Angiogram is a non-invasive test that can detect narrowed or blocked heart arteries before they cause a heart attack.
If you have a family history of heart disease, talk to your physician about scheduling a cardiac CT Angiogram at Cullman Regional. If you don’t have a physician, call 256-297-8952 or visit CullmanRegionalMedicalGroup.com to schedule a primary care appointment. 

Cardiology Clinic

Learn more about our cardiology physician clinic which provides diagnoses, treatments and results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Non-Invasive Procedures

What preparation is involved for abdominal/renal Doppler studies?

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. Take your usual medications with only a sip of water.

What preparation is involved for an Exercise Stress Test?

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. Take most of your usual medications with only a sip of water. Do not take any beta blockers. Do not consume any form of caffeine, including chocolate, 24 hours prior to your procedure.

When will I know the results of my Exercise Stress Test?

The physician will discuss the results with you immediately following the procedure. The radiologist will review your nuclear medicine images and provide a report to your physician within a few days.

Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram

Will I be sedated for my Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)?

Yes, you will be given anesthesia.

When will I know the results of my Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)?

The physician interprets your study and will discuss findings with your family immediately following the procedure.

Cardiac Catheterization

What do I need to do to prepare for the procedure?

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. Take your usual medications with only a sip of water. Do not take any blood thinners.

How long does a cardiac cath procedure take?

You should expect to be in the lab for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The procedure itself takes an average of 10 to 15 minutes. The pre- and post-procedure process is another 15 minutes, approximately.

What happens during the procedure?

You are moved to the catheterization table and connected to EKG and blood pressure monitors. The staff cleans and shaves both sides of your groin area. When your physician arrives, he/she will inject a local anesthetic into the skin, usually in the groin area, to numb the area. A puncture is then made into your femoral artery (in your groin), and the physician inserts a catheter (a long, narrow, flexible tube) through your artery and positions it near the heart under x-ray guidance. Cardiac Catheterization may also be performed through the wrist if required.
A cardiac catheterization provides essential information about all aspects of the heart. It is most frequently used to identify blockages in the arteries that feed the heart. Once the procedure is completed, the small tube is removed from your leg/groin and pressure is held at the site for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Will I be asleep?

No. The doctor may choose to give you medication to make you drowsy, but he/she will want to talk to you and make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.

What happens if I have blockages?

Your physician will discuss your individual case and care with you immediately after the procedure. If blockages are found, he/she may advise that you have coronary angioplasty, stent placement or open-heart surgery.

  • Coronary Angioplasty: A procedure using a balloon-tipped catheter to open the blockage of an artery and improve blood flow to the heart. It is performed in the same fashion as a cardiac catheterization.
  • Coronary Stenting: Placement of a catheter-tipped wire mesh device to add support to a vessel after performance of coronary angioplasty.
  • Open-Heart Surgery: The most common type of heart surgery for adults is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). During CABG, surgeons use healthy arteries or veins taken from another part of the body to bypass (that is, go around) blocked arteries. CABG relieves chest pain and reduces the risk of heart attack.

How long do I have to lie flat after the cath procedure is complete?

Usually 4 to 6 hours.

How long after my cath until I can eat/drink?

Unless your doctor decides otherwise, you may eat/drink when the procedure is complete and you are back in your hospital room. You may turn your head from side to side to eat/drink, but may not lift it off of your pillow while you are lying flat. You may ask a nurse or family member to help you.

What happens when I go home?

Click here for complete instructions on patient care following your cath procedure.

When can I go back to regular activities and work?

Unless otherwise directed by your physician, you may resume regular activities in three days.

What should I do if I think I am having a heart attack?

If you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. Emergency medical services are better equipped to handle active heart attacks.

If I am diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), what are my treatment options?

Many heart conditions can be treated without surgery. Today’s treatments for heart disease include new medications and non-surgical procedures such as balloon angioplasty, atherectomy and stents. Heart patients can also greatly improve their health by making positive lifestyle changes.

What can I do to prevent heart disease?

Educating yourself about the risk factors for heart disease is the first step in preventing it. Whether you need to make lifestyle changes or be aware of hereditary traits that predispose you to the disease, arm yourself with information to take charge of your heart health. Research shows that Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have created an information sheet entitled “How Can I Make My Lifestyle Healthier?” Click here to visit the American Heart Association or the American Stroke Association online. It’s never too late to make better choices for your health. All you need is a goal, a plan and the desire to live better.

Also visit the AHA’s website, My Life Check and the Simple Seven. Simple tools help you know where you stand on your road to good health. No one achieves heart health by accident. Practice these seven steps to live a heart-healthy life.

Hours

Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for scheduled procedures
On call for emergency procedures 24-hours a day, seven days

Location

First floor, main hospital
1912 AL Highway 157
Cullman, AL 35058

Contact

Telephone: 256-737-2700