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Cardiac and Vascular Care

Do you need a cardiologist to help you manage a heart problem? What about a vascular surgeon to help treat poor blood flow in your arms or legs? Or maybe you may need a pacemaker placed in your heart or a cardiac test.

When you need great heart and vascular care, there's no need to travel far. Whether you come to our emergency room with symptoms or are having outpatient testing, we can provide the expert care you need.

Can caffeine trigger a heart problem? (2 min. read)

Reviewed 12/19/2025

Arrhythmias: true or false?

At some point in life, many adults have an abnormal heart rhythm, also called an arrhythmia. Their hearts may beat too slowly—fewer than 60 beats per minute. Or they may beat too quickly—more than 100 beats per minute. Do you know how an arrhythmia might affect you?

True or false: If you had an arrhythmia, you'd feel it.

False. Not necessarily. When it's very brief, an arrhythmia may have almost no symptoms. You may never know it happened. On the other hand, it can make you feel as though your heart is skipping a beat or racing. You could also faint or feel light-headed.

True or false: Many arrhythmias are harmless and don't need treatment.

True. Arrhythmias can be harmless. But some are serious—even life-threatening. Fortunately, they can often be successfully treated.

Treatments include:

  • Lifestyle changes.
  • Medications.
  • A pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.
  • A catheter-based procedure called cardiac ablation.
  • Surgery.

True or false: An abnormal heart rhythm can cause a stroke.

True. Atrial fibrillation (AF)—the most common kind of arrhythmia—dramatically raises stroke risk. People who have AF are up to five times more likely to have a stroke than those who don't have it. Signs of AF include a racing, fluttering or pounding feeling in the heart. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.

True or false: An arrhythmia is a structural problem, so a heart-healthy diet won't prevent it.

False. Heart disease causes many arrhythmias. So it's important to care for your heart with a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Also include fat-free or low-fat dairy products and lean meats, poultry without skin, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, seeds, beans and peas. Go easy on salt, added sugars and solid fats.

True or false: Caffeine might make your heart beat irregularly.

True. Some people have heart palpitations when they drink coffee or eat chocolate. Some over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements can also make your heart beat irregularly. So always check with your doctor before taking a new medicine or supplement.

How's your heart health? It matters at any age. You can take stock of your heart disease risk and make healthy changes to reduce it.

Learn how to protect your heart

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Here are some of the reasons to choose our cardiology department.

Expert cardiology specialists

Our cardiovascular team includes board-certified cardiologists who diagnose and treat all types of cardiovascular diseases.

Your general cardiologist specializes in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of diseases related to the heart. They work closely with interventional cardiologists, our electrophysiologist and other members of the cardiac team and act as your first line of routine cardiac care.

We also have a board-certified vascular surgeon. This means we can offer tests and treatments for diseases of the neck, limb and abdominal arteries.

All of our doctors are supported by highly trained nurses and other members of our team.

State-of-the-art facilities and cardiovascular procedures

Our cardiology department, located on the main floor of the hospital, offers convenient appointment times and pleasant surroundings.

A highlight of our department is our state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization and digital angiography lab. This modern facility has allowed us to bring a higher level of heart and vascular care to our community. We use it to perform life-saving heart attack treatments in an emergency. And we use it to perform minimally invasive tests and procedures, such as placing stents, pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators.

We also offer many other cardiac services on the main floor of our hospital. These include the following tests to assess the health of your heart:

  • Electrocardiogram (EKG), including event and Holter monitors.
  • Stress test.
  • Echocardiogram.

Our cardiologists also oversee our cardiac rehabilitation program, which is designed to help people recover after a serious heart issue, such as a heart attack.

Corazon, Inc., a national leader in services for the cardiovascular specialty based in Pittsburgh, has granted accreditation to the Chest Pain Center at Indiana Regional Medical Center.

Coronary artery disease treatment

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CAD develops when the arteries leading to the heart narrow or become blocked, which may lead to a reduction in blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain, heart attacks and death. Despite being the most common form of heart disease, many of the non-invasive tests available today (such as stress testing) have low accuracy rates in detecting the disease.

IRMC is advancing the diagnosis of CAD with the HeartFlow Analysis. This non-invasive heart test provides a personalized 3D model of your coronary arteries that shows how each blockage impacts blood flow to your heart. This detailed information, which was previously only available through an invasive procedure, helps your doctor determine the next step in your treatment plan.

Cardiology department virtual tour

*Vascular coverage may be limited at times; please call 724-349-3170 with any coverage-related questions. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

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