Nason Cath Lab
Urgency is extremely important in cardiac emergencies and Conemaugh Nason Medical Center’s 2,400 square-foot cardiac catheterization (cath) laboratory offers life-saving care to cardiac patients in the Roaring Spring community when every moment matters.
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. A tiny tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel so that imaging dyes and small equipment can be passed through. Catheterization enables healthcare providers to examine the heart and blood vessels, and is used to look for blockages in arteries, check heart valve function, measure blood flow and even place stents in arteries when they are narrow or blocked. In a medical emergency, catheterization procedures allow physicians to quickly diagnose heart problems and provide life-saving treatments.
In addition to cardiac catheterization procedures, cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) procedures are performed in the cath lab. Vascular studies of other areas, such as patient’s legs, are also done in the cath lab.
Services
Non-Invasive
- Physiologic stress testing with or without a nuclear component
- Pharmacologic stress testing with or without a nuclear component
- Transthoracic echocardiography
- Cardioversion
- Transcutaneous cardiac pacing
- Transesophageal echocardiography
Invasive
- Transvenous temporary cardiac pacing
- Right and left heart catheterization
- Coronary and peripheral angiography
- Elective and emergent (STEMI) coronary interventions
- Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is proud to provide heart and vascular care in its cardiac catheterization lab. A team of board-certified cardiologists uses advanced technology and techniques to diagnose and treat each patient. Recovery time for a cardiac catheterization can be quick.* Cardiac catheterization is usually very safe. A small number of patients have minor problems.**
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. A tiny tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel so that imaging dyes and small equipment can be passed through.
Catheterization enables healthcare providers to:
- Examine the heart and blood vessels
- Look for blockages in arteries
- Check heart valve function
- Measure blood flow
- Place stents in arteries when they are narrow or blocked.
In a medical emergency, catheterization procedures can help quickly diagnose heart problems and provide treatments. Vascular studies of other areas, such as a patient’s legs, can also be done in the catheterization lab.
* Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.org
** American Heart Association, heart.org
Knowledge Saves Lives
Early Heart Attack Care
Heart attacks have early signs and symptoms. Recognizing symptoms and taking action as quickly as possible is critical. Most heart damage can occur within the first two hours of a heart attack, so it's vital to know the subtle signs and act on them before one occurs. *
Click here to learn more about heart attack symptoms
* American College of Cardiology Foundation, dha.acc.org
Hands-Only CPR
If someone collapses, follow these steps: call 911 and begin hands-only CPR by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. Keep doing this until help arrives. These two steps could save someone's life. Visit the link below for more information and watch our hands-only CPR video so you know what to do if you see someone who needs help. **
Click here for more information about hands-only CPR
** American Heart Association, heart.org
Heart Attack Prevention: Know Your Numbers
Blood Pressure: 50 million Americans have high blood pressure and 1 out of every 3 doesn't even know it! Untreated hypertension can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. The top number (systolic) indicates the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Pay attention to the top number. Anything over 140 is considered high - talk to your doctor.
Cholesterol: High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack and stroke, but the good news is it's controllable. A good cholesterol level is anything 200 or below.
- Good: Less than 200
- Borderline: 200 - 239
- High: 240 and above
Blood Sugar: Fasting blood sugar measures your risk for diabetes. Your blood sugar can be determined with a simple blood test after an 8-hour fast.
- Normal: Less than 100
- Pre-diabetes: 100 - 126
- Diabetes: 126 or higher (diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney and nerve problems)
Waist Size: Carrying extra weight around your waist can double your risk of dying prematurely! That's because belly fat sends out a toxic stream of chemicals that can impact your entire body. Measure your waist at your natural waistline, above your hipbone and below the rib cage. A waist size greater than 35" for women and 40" for men increases the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and many cancers.
Body Mass Index: Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine if you are at a healthy weight, overweight or obese. BMI is calculated from your height and weight. It's a good idea to weigh yourself at least once a week, around the same time of day.