Heart Program

Since performing one of the region’s first open-heart surgeries more than 40 years ago, Alvarado Hospital continues to provide cutting-edge heart services in San Diego. Alvarado Hospital is the recipient of two national cardiac quality care awards.

Our cardiologists and cardiac surgeons are devoted to providing the highest level of cardiac and cardiovascular medical services available. An extensive range of diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical services, and rehabilitation are provided. As a leader in innovation, Alvarado Hospital surgeons provide a variety of cardiac procedures, including:

• Minimally invasive procedures for atrial fibrillation that help prevent strokes and may ultimately replace blood-thinning medications.
• Noninvasive testing to determine the amount of arterial plaque build-up in the heart.
• ​Minimally invasive procedures that place a tiny filter into a leg vein in order to prevent blood clots from traveling into the lungs.

Heart Attack-Receiving Center

Alvarado Hospital is designated as a STEMI (heart attack) Receiving Center by San Diego County. STEMI stands for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. This designation is only given to hospitals that prove their staff can meet stringent standards of transporting a patient from the ER to the cardiac cath lab in 90 minutes or less. This is the time frame wherein blood flow must be restored to achieve the best outcomes for heart attack patients.

Hospitals with this designation have demonstrated that their emergency departments have the facilities, technology, and physicians necessary to provide the immediate diagnostic tests and interventions needed to save lives. This designation puts Alvarado Hospital’s emergency physicians and cardiologists on the front line in the fight against heart-related deaths in San Diego County.

Quality Indicators

Committed to continuous quality improvement, Alvarado Hospital has regularly participated in statewide quality measurements. We consistently meet and exceed state quality and outcome measurements for cardiac services.

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Diagnostic Cardiac Testing

Equipped with advanced monitoring, imaging and testing technologies, Alvarado Hospital’s diagnostic services provide a comprehensive approach to detecting and tracking cardiac and cardiovascular irregularities. Many of these services may be provided on an outpatient basis.

• Electrocardiograms: 24-hour Holter monitoring
• 30-day event monitoring
• ECG and signal-averaged ECG
• Exercise stress testing
• Treadmill stress testing
• Echocardiography
• Transesophageal echocardiography
• Electrophysiology studies
• Cardiac perfusion scanning
• Pacemaker monitoring and analysis
• Tilt-table orthostatic tolerance testing
• Cardiac Catheterization Diagnostics and Interventions
• Peripheral Vascular Diagnostics and Interventions
• PFO Closures
• Cardiac Pacemaker and Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) Implants
• Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), aka "Impella"
• Electrophysiology studies with ablation capabilities utilizing the CARTO 3 Imaging and Mapping System with Intercardiac Echo (ICE)

Specialized Cardiac Services

Alvarado Hospital specializes in interventional cardiology and treatment of severe heart attacks, called STEMIs (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction). Alvarado Hospital believes that an experienced, caring nursing staff is a key component in your recovery. Each cardiac unit at our facility has specially trained nurses who provide 24-hour monitoring of patients before and after surgery.

Award-Winning Care

Alvarado Hospital received two national accolades for cardiac care, and for overal clinical care and patient safety from Healthgrades:

• Five Stars for Pacemaker Procedures (2015)
• Five Stars for Treatment of Heart Failure (2015)
• Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence (2014-2016)
• Patient Safety Excellence (2015-2016)

Physician Referral

Alvarado Hospital’s Physician Referral Service can help you find a cardiologist or heart surgeon who meets your needs. To find a physician, simply click on the Physician Finder or call (800) ALVARADO (800-258-2723) to allow one of our friendly customer service representatives to assist you in selecting a primary care physician, cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, or other specialist.

Alvarado Advantage Club

If you will be an Alvarado Hospital patient or visitor, you are invited to join the free Alvarado Advantage Club. Members receive a variety of benefits, including:

• VIP parking
• Priority for a private room when available
• Newspaper delivery with breakfast when hospitalized
• 10% discount at the Alvarado Gift Shop and Cafe
• 10% discount at the Alvarado Medical Plaza Pharmacy
• First notification of special events and classes
• Hotel discounts... and more!

To learn more or to register online, click here. To register through one of our customer service representatives, call (800) ALVARADO (800-258-2723).