At Kimball Health Services, we believe your cardiovascular health plays a central role in your overall well-being. Our preventive care service, under the direction of Ann Anderson, APRN, champions heart health before cardiovascular ailments confine you.
We are advocates for proactive strategies to guide our patients toward informed, heart-healthy choices. Furthermore, our commitment to personalization ensures that every patient receives care for their specific health profile.
Our cardiology services include preventive care initiatives, diagnostic procedures, and specialized treatments tailored to the unique needs of every patient. Ann Anderson, APRN, has been providing cardiac care to patients in the area for over 20 years. Over this period, she has developed a close working relationship with several cardiology groups in Cheyenne, the Colorado Front Range & Denver.
Our preventive cardiology services focus on minimizing your cardiovascular risk factors. Identifying and addressing these risks early can significantly reduce the likelihood of heart-related conditions.
Strategies that are part of our preventive cardiac evaluations include:
Diagnostic tests are crucial for identifying and understanding heart conditions and help prevent cardiovascular complications. From subtle irregularities to more complex conditions, these tests are designed to provide insights into the overall health and functioning of the heart.
Early detection is a vital part of our approach to cardiac care. Timely diagnosis means that we can initiate targeted treatments to prevent the progression of conditions.
Our team of experts evaluates each patient's health profile comprehensively, considering factors such as medical history, lifestyle, and genetic predispositions. This detailed understanding allows us to tailor diagnostic approaches to match individual requirements precisely.
Standard diagnostic tests we employ include:
Depending on your condition, we also recommend the following specialized tests.
Exercise Treadmill Testing (ETT)
This test is used to assess how well your heart functions during physical activity. It is a non-invasive test that helps evaluate your heart's response to exercise. This test can help diagnose the cause of unexplained chest pain or discomfort and evaluate the effectiveness of heart medications.
Nuclear Stress Tests
This test provides information about blood flow to the heart. It may be performed to assess the presence of coronary artery disease, evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, and determine your cardiovascular health.
During the test, a small amount of a radioactive substance, such as Cardiolyte or Thallium, is injected into a vein in your arm. Imaging is then used to detect how the injected material travels through your heart at rest.
This is followed by a stress test. It can be done through an exercise stress test or by using medications that simulate the effects of exercise on your heart. Lexiscan is one such medication used in pharmacological stress testing. Imaging tests are performed once again to assess blood flow during this period.
The images obtained during the resting phase and the stress phase are then compared to assess heart health.
Cardiac CT calcium score is a specialized CT scan of the heart that measures the calcium buildup in your heart arteries. This crucial information helps determine your risk for cardiovascular disease.
The American College of Cardiology recognizes coronary artery calcification as a critical marker for cardiovascular disease. It helps guide treatment decisions, such as whether cholesterol-lowering statins are necessary. A low or negative calcium score may indicate a reduced need for these medications.
At Kimball Health Services, we are committed to helping you take charge of your heart health. That’s why we offer Cardiac CT calcium score, a simple and efficient scan that takes just 10 minutes and requires no IV or contrast dye.
Arrhythmias are a group of heart conditions characterized by an irregular rhythm of your heartbeat. Arrhythmias may be caused by rapid or irregular heartbeats or by a quivering sensation in the heart.
Structural heart issues, such as heart attacks, heart failure, and electrical abnormalities in the heart, can cause arrhythmias. If left untreated, arrhythmias can lead to complications, such as a stroke, heart failure, or other cardiovascular issues.
Diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG), Biotel holter, and event and MCOT monitors, to help diagnose heart arrhythmias. The condition can be treated with pharmaceutical interventions or invasive procedures.
Anticoagulants, such as Coumadin, are prescribed to stop the formation of blood clots, helping to reduce the risk of strokes and other complications associated with blood clots.
While anticoagulation is crucial, regular coagulation checks are equally necessary to establish balance and avoid the risk of excessive bleeding. Coagulation test results serve as a critical guide in adjusting medication dosages.
At Kimball Health Services, our cardiology team prioritizes the prescription of anticoagulants and the careful monitoring of their effects.
Valvular heart disease impacts blood flow due to abnormalities in one or more of the heart's four valves. These valves play a crucial role in ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction through the heart chambers.
Risk factors for valvular disease include age, previous infections, coronary artery disease, degeneration of the heart muscle, and congenital conditions.
Accurate diagnosis forms the foundation of effective treatment for valvular heart disease. At Kimball Health Services, we employ advanced imaging tests, such as echocardiograms, to visualize the structure and function of the heart valves with precision.
Treatment for valvular heart disease depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may be managed with medications, while more severe cases might require surgical intervention, such as valve repair or replacement.
Chest pain causes an ache or discomfort in your chest and can be an alarming symptom associated with various cardiovascular conditions. Chest pain can be caused by conditions related to the heart or lungs.
Although all chest pain is not caused by a life-threatening condition, it is good to know when cardiovascular issues cause chest pain.
Timely assessment and treatment are essential to prevent complications and ensure good heart health.
Hypertension appears when the force with which blood pushes the artery walls is consistently too high. This means the heart has to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to severe health issues like heart disease. This is the reason why hypertension is also commonly known as high blood pressure.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 46% of adults with high blood pressure are unaware that they have the condition. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases your susceptibility to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
At Kimball Health Services, our expert team provides personalized care, offering preventive measures, diagnostic insights, and intervention strategies. Regular blood pressure checks, lifestyle adjustments, and tailored plans are key components of our approach to managing hypertension.
Whether you're seeking preventive measures, diagnostic insights, or expert care for specific conditions, we have you covered. At Kimball Health Services, Ann Anderson, APRN, is dedicated to your cardiovascular well-being.
As one of the top critical access hospitals in the nation, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. For appointments, call ahead or fill out our online form. We're here for you whenever you need us.
