Cardiac Services

Saint Joseph Hospital is a cardiac-care leader in Chicago – and the nation. From primary care to specialty care, we have a proven record of clinical excellence. Many of our cardiologists are nationally recognized leaders and involved in research worldwide. This means patients have access to the latest clinical studies and medications. Getting patients back on track to feeling healthy and leading productive lives is our goal.

Our surgeons are dedicated caregivers with an excellent record of success. They’re experts in:

• Adult Cardiac Surgery - including Coronary Artery Bypass, Aortic Valve Replacement and Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement
  
  
• Vascular Surgery - including Carotid Endarterectomy, Peripheral Arterial Disease and Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
  
  
• General Thoracic Surgery

Surpassing National Standards

When selecting a hospital for cardiac surgery, it's important to know about clinical outcomes, or how well patients do following heart procedures. For example, what percentage of the hospital's patients survived coronary artery bypass surgery? How many had complications? How does the hospital's clinical outcomes compare to other institutions?

Saint Joseph Hospital's surgical outcomes consistently compare favorably to centers in our region and nationally.

Your Heart is in the Right Place

With advanced diagnostics, the latest minimally invasive treatments, an expert cardiac team and a comprehensive rehabilitation program, Saint Joseph Hospital provides everything patients need for a healthy heart - and lifestyle. And, because we're recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by the BlueCross BlueShield Association, you can be sure you're getting the superior service you need.

• Diagnostic Procedures - Saint Joseph Hospital offers a wide range of tests to diagnose individuals with cardiac conditions so that treatment can begin promptly. Appointments are conveniently available throughout the week and on Saturday.
  
  
• Pacemaker Clinic - Saint Joseph Hospital has a Pacemaker Clinic that provides specialized care to our heart patients.
  
  
• Minimally Invasive Techniques - Interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons work together to determine the most effective treatment plan for each patient. Whenever possible, minimally invasive procedures are performed and most patients are able to go home the next day if no further intervention is needed.
  
  
• Cardiac Rehabilitation - The cardiac rehabilitation program offers a comprehensive curriculum of exercise, education and support designed to help patients with heart disease to safely resume active and productive lives, and reduce the risk of further heart problems.
  
  
• Community Health and Education - Saint Joseph Hospital is committed to providing community health and education classes, and screenings. Individuals can register for Healthy Heart Screenings, which include information about diet, exercise and lifestyle modification from a board-certified cardiologist, dietitian and exercise physiologist. Screening exams for cholesterol, blood pressure and other disorders are also provided throughout the year.

Cardiac Surgery

Saint Joseph Hospital's cardiac surgery team includes highly trained and experienced clinical specialists, nurses and technicians who have worked together for more than 10 years. And, all of our cardiologists are fellowship trained or board-certified – so you can be sure your heart is in good hands. The team offers outstanding results with success rates for cardiac surgery that consistently meet or exceed predicted levels, and compare favorably to those from larger Chicagoland area teaching hospitals.

In fact, the overall mortality rate for patients who had coronary artery bypass operations and/or cardiac valve repair and replacement procedures at Saint Joseph Hospital in 2006 was only 1 percent. Saint Joseph Hospital participates in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) cardiac surgery database, which allows the hospital to benchmark its results against cardiac surgery programs throughout the United States.

List of surgeries available

Patient Information Sheets/Test Instructions

• 24-hour Ambulatory Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Cardiac Catheterization or Coronary Angiography
• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
• Echocardiogram (Cardiac Ultrasound)
• Electrocardiogram
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Holter Monitoring
• Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)
• Pacemakers
• Pacemaker Clinic Check-up
• Peripheral Angiogram
• Transesophageal Echocardiogram
• Transtelephonic Monitoring (TTM)
  
  
• Stress Tests
  • Treadmill Stress Test - Exercise Only
  • Treadmill Stress Test - Echocardiogram
  • Stress Test with Cardiolite (Myoview) Imaging
  
  
• Non-Walking Stress Tests
  • Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
  • Adenosine/Persantine Stress Test with Cardiolite (Myoview)

Want more information?

Look through our interactive tools page to quizzes, clinical wizards, and more!

Interactive Body - Multimedia Tools

Learn more about the heart treatment through these interactive, animated guides to common diseases and procedures:

• Angioplasty
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Cholesterol
• Stent Placement