Cardiology Services at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Award-Winning, Comprehensive Cardiac Care Close to Home

female nurse listening to the heart of an elderly woman

Heart Care When You Need It Most

When you’re searching for comprehensive heart care services, you’ve come to the right place. Fort Sanders Regional’s Heart Center is ready to offer you comprehensive cardiovascular services that cover the continuum of your heart care needs. 

From testing services to cardiac rehab, advanced diagnostics, interventional technologies, to cardiovascular surgeries, our extensive menu of cardiac care options are customized to meet your unique needs.

A cardiologist doctor examines images on multiple computer screens in an operating room.

East Tennessee’s Trusted Choice for Heart and Vascular Care

Your heart is more than a muscle — it’s the lifebeat of your very being. If you experience unusual heart symptoms or a serious cardiac event, you need care you can trust, delivered in a compassionate environment by experienced medical professionals.

As East Tennessee’s leader in cardiac services, Covenant Health Heart Centers provide expert care to more than 107,000 heart patients throughout our region each year. Our network of nine hospitals and 25 cardiology practices offers the latest advances in cardiology, including cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, and rehabilitation. 

Award-Winning Cardiac Care

Fort Sanders Regional consistently receives recognition from the American Heart Association. In 2024, the distinctions they’ve awarded our Heart Center include:

Mission: Lifeline® – STEMI Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Mission: Lifeline® – NSTEMI Gold Quality Achievement Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

These designations mean that we continue to provide excellent care to patients who suffer severe heart attacks and represents adherence to quality measures such as timely administration of medication, prompt intervention, and comprehensive discharge planning.

2024 AHA Get With The Guidelines STEMI Gold Plus with Target Type 2 Diabetes and NSTEMI Gold with Target Type 2 Diabetes logos

Types of Cardiovascular Conditions We Treat

Discover the wide range of heart and vascular conditions expertly treated at Fort Sanders Regional.

Arrhythmias and Electrical Disorders

Arrhythmias are conditions that disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm or electrical signaling, leading to irregular heartbeats. These issues can cause symptoms like palpitations, dizziness or fainting and may increase the risk of complications such as stroke or heart failure. Examples include:

  • Atrial fibrillation (Afib)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Cardiac Syncope

Structural Heart Diseases

Structural heart diseases involve abnormalities in the heart’s physical structure, such as its walls, chambers, or valves. These defects can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired, potentially disrupting blood flow, heart function, or electrical activity.

  • Adult congenital heart disease
  • Holes in the heart (e.g., patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial septal defect (ASD))
  • Cardiac tamponade

Coronary Artery and Ischemic Heart Diseases

These heart diseases occur when blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, often caused by buildup of plaque. This can lead to chest pain, heart attacks or other complications. Examples include:

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack) (assuming yes but ask your marketing manager)
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Mesenteric insufficiency

Valvular Heart Diseases

These conditions affect the function of one or more of the heart’s valves, disrupting blood flow through the heart. These conditions can involve valve narrowing, leakage, or improper closure, leading to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath or heart failure. Examples include:

  • Aortic stenosis
  • Mitral valve regurgitation
  • Tricuspid valve regurgitation
  • Mitral valve stenosis
  • Aortic valve regurgitation
  • Pulmonary valve stenosis
  • Pulmonary valve regurgitation

Vascular Diseases

These conditions affect the blood vessels, impairing blood flow and increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. These diseases often involve narrowing, blockage, or weakening of arteries or veins and can lead to serious issues such as heart attack, stroke or limb ischemia. Examples include:

  • Lymphedema
  • Varicose Veins
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
  • Aortic dissection
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • Spider veins
  • Claudication
  • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Aneurysms

Hypertension and Heart Failure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and other complications. Over time, it can strain the heart and blood vessels, leading to serious conditions like heart failure.

 

Respiratory Disorders

These conditions affect the lungs and breathing that can directly impact heart function or result from heart disease. These disorders often cause strain on the heart and lead to complications like pulmonary hypertension or heart failure. Examples include:

  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Pneumothorax
  • Pericardial effusion

Cardiac Diagnosis and Treatment

At Fort Sanders Regional, we’re on a mission to provide residents of East Tennessee with the comprehensive, cutting edge cardiac services you need and deserve. Our Heart Center has been recognized and awarded for the extensive, top-quality cardiac services we provide.

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Outpatient Program

Leaving the hospital is just the first step in recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery or angioplasty. Heart patients often need to strengthen weakened heart muscles and learn heart-healthy practices. Fort Sanders Regional’s complete Cardiac Rehabilitation Outpatient Program (CROP) combines education, exercise, counseling, and more to help heart patients regain their functional capacity and reduce the possibility of future heart problems.

Fort Sanders Cardiopulmonary Rehab
A Covenant Health physical therapist adjusts settings on a stationary bike for her patient.

Why Choose Covenant Health for Heart Care?

If you’ve experienced unusual heart symptoms, been diagnosed with a heart condition, or had a more serious “cardiac event,” you’ve likely felt emotions like concern, worry, or even fear. The heart care professionals at Covenant Health understand. You want assurance that you’re receiving the best medical treatment possible from skilled experts who care about your heart — and about you. Interventional cardiologist Briana Costello, MD, shares why she would trust Covenant Health for her family’s heart care.

 

A Story of Strength

With a large family including seven children and 43 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kim Arnott has a lot to live for. He and his wife enjoy spending time outdoors, which is where he first experienced some chest pain. A visit to his physician showed he needed urgent heart bypass surgery. After a speedy recovery, Arnott completed cardiac rehab at Covenant Health-South and is back to enjoying life with his family.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

We are committed to patient education and transparency in our care. If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our Customer Care Center at 865-374-0411.

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Symptoms of heart disease can vary based on the specific condition, but common signs include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort (angina): Often feels like pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the chest, especially during physical activity or stress.
  • Shortness of breath: May occur during activity, rest, or while lying flat.
  • Fatigue: Persistent tiredness, even with minimal exertion.
  • Swelling (edema): Particularly in the legs, ankles, or feet, often linked to heart failure.
  • Heart palpitations or dizziness: Common with arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats.
  • Radiating pain: Chest pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw, or back, often associated with coronary artery disease.

If you notice these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

What are heart attack symptoms in men and women?

Heart attack symptoms can differ between men and women:

Common Symptoms in Men:

  • Chest pain or pressure, often described as a squeezing or heaviness.
  • Pain that radiates to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back.
  • Shortness of breath.

Common Symptoms in Women:

  • Chest discomfort, but it may feel less severe or atypical.
  • Nausea, vomiting, or indigestion-like symptoms.
  • Fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
  • Pain in the back, jaw, or neck.

If you suspect a heart attack, seek medical help immediately, as prompt treatment can save lives.

What is open-heart surgery?

Open-heart surgery is a procedure where the chest is opened to allow direct access to the heart. It is typically performed to repair or replace heart valves, bypass blocked arteries, or correct congenital heart defects that cannot be treated with minimally invasive approaches.

How do I schedule a cardiology appointment?

Cardiology appointments require a physician order. Our Customer Care Center can guide you through the process and help you find the right heart specialist close to home. Call us today.

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