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Heart Care

Our heart specialists want the best for your heart. Come see us for concerns and treatment for heart disease conditions both common and complex.

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Your heart is part of your cardiovascular system, consisting of a closed system of vessels called arteries, veins and capillaries. While this disease remains the No. 1 cause of death of people in the nation, much of heart disease can be prevented. You can reduce the risks and take control of your heart health.

Comprehensive Cardiology Services

Avera’s cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, surgeons, structural heart experts and other specialists make up our team of cardiac care experts who treat heart diseases. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist for your situation, based on your family health history and potential concerns they uncover at check-ups.

With you at the center, we are one team focused on a single goal; improving your overall heart health.

Heart Conditions We Treat

Conditions affecting the heart include:

  • Aortic stenosis: valve narrows and blood cannot flow as needed
  • Arrhythmia: abnormal, fast or slow heart rhythm
  • Atherosclerosis: hardening of arteries
  • Atrial fibrillation (AFib): heart beats out of rhythm
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Heart failure: weakened heart pump
  • High blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): thickened heart muscle
  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Avera Heart Hospital

Beating at the heart of our premier cardiology services is the Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota. As the region’s first hospital dedicated solely to cardiac and vascular care, you’re in good hands with the area’s most renowned experts plus top-rated patient satisfaction and quality care. A partnership between Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center and North Central Heart, Avera Heart Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in cardiovascular care.

  • Dedicated team of heart and vascular experts
  • Advanced technology and reliable expertise
  • Personalized services specific to your individual needs
  • Attached hotel and other amenities for loved ones visiting

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Avera Heart Hospital

Rural Access to Cardiology Services

Avera Heart Hospital network brings specialty cardiac care and the region’s top expertise to your community. Physicians visit outreach sites located throughout eastern South Dakota. Patients in rural and remote areas can benefit from Careflight emergency air transport and telemedicine for additional support by specialists.

Rural Health Equity

Full-Spectrum Cardiology

Dedicated cardiologists, heart surgeons and cardiovascular specialists provide complete cardiac and vascular services, from prevention and education to complex surgical procedures.

Structural Interventions

Structural interventions and interventional cardiology use integrative treatment approaches. These cardiologists receive specialty training and education to perform procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab. Patients with disease like atherosclerosis, congenital structure heart disease and heart valve diseases can find treatment with the most advanced techniques and technology.

  • Angioplasty
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Catheter-based interventions
  • Intravascular ultrasound
  • Fractional flow reserve (FFR)
  • Coronary flow reserve (CRF)
  • Chronic total occlusion (CTO)
  • Left atrial appendage procedure
  • MitraClip™ procedure for leaky heart valve
  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) 
  • Transcatheter mitral valve procedure for mitral regurgitation

Diagnosis & Testing

Rely on the region’s top cardiac experts for an accurate diagnosis and personalized care plans to manage risk factors and recommend lifestyle modifications.

  • Cardiac MRI
  • Angiogram
  • CT scans
  • Ultrasound

Surgery & Procedures

See us for cardiovascular surgery and advanced treatments for your unique condition or disorder with procedures such as:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
  • Cardiac valve surgery
  • Coronary artery bypass (CABG)
  • Cardiothoracic surgery
  • Thoracic and lung surgery
  • Trans myocardial (TMR) laser

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Recover from a heart attack or disease with Avera’s expert inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services, such as:

  • Tailored exercise programs for recovering patients
  • Education and support for lifestyle changes

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About Heart Disease

Besides your genetic risk, heart disease can develop due to an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. By making lifestyle changes and choosing good habits, you minimize your risk for or even prevent heart-related conditions, gain energy and better lead a rewarding life. We want you to follow the beat of your heart by making lifestyle improvements, and by understanding the impact of your:

  • Cholesterol levels
  • High blood pressure
  • Stress management
  • Physical activity
  • Diet
  • Tobacco use

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Pediatric Heart Care

Your pediatrician or family medicine doctor will refer your child to specialty heart care when there is a concern. Avera pediatric heart doctors offer specialty cardiovascular care for babies, children and young adults with birth complications or chronic conditions.

Specialty Pediatric Cardiology

Specialty pediatric cardiologists are available for in-person appointments at Avera McKennan and at outreach sites in the following areas.

  • South Dakota: Aberdeen, Brookings, Gregory, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls, Watertown and Yankton
  • Minnesota: Marshall and Worthington
  • Iowa: Spirit Lake, Spencer and Sioux Center

Pediatric Conditions We Treat

Pediatric cardiologists treat our tiniest patients with specialized approaches for babies, children and teens as well as expert fetal care. These specialty heart doctors treat child cardiovascular conditions and birth complications, such as:

  • All forms of congenital heart disease
  • Arrhythmias and palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Heart murmur
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Single ventricle defects
  • Ventricular septal defect, or holes in the heart
  • Valve disease
Pediatric Cardiologist with a patient.

More Programs & Services

AED Program Find out how you can purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at cost with our public access defibrillator program.
Cardiac Rehab Begin exercising again after a heart attack or cardiovascular procedure in a safe, monitored setting for your peace of mind while recovering.
Heart-Healthy Tips While you can’t change your family’s health history, you can choose to live a heart-healthy and active lifestyle. Doing so may prevent or control risk factors.
Electrophysiology Rely on dedicated electrophysiologists for treating heart rhythm disorders, like arrhythmia and other conditions causing an irregular heartbeat.
Vascular Care Trust cardiovascular specialists for proactive vascular care, disease treatment and surgery. Our experts treat your body’s arteries, veins and capillaries.
Respiratory & Pulmonary Keep your airways and lungs in good shape. Pulmonologists, respiratory specialists and physicians can address a wide range of lung and breathing-related conditions.

Meet Our Cardiology Team

No matter what your heart needs, count on our team of compassionate experts.

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Expert Advice on Heart & Vascular Topics

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Caring for Your Heart & Vascular Health

Live a healthy, hearty life. Your doctor can help you understand risk factors for cardiovascular disease and refer you to a cardiologist if needed. Contact a location near you to request a screening with Avera Planet Heart.

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