We Offer Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care
Services at Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute cover the full range of care, from diagnosis and treatment to follow-up care and rehabilitation. You can count on expert care in each of these areas:
Cardiovascular Surgical Services. When surgery is the best option for a heart condition, the Benefis surgical team provides the highest level of care.
With some cardiovascular conditions, surgery is the most effective treatment option. Our team of surgeons, anesthetists, perfusionists, surgical nurses, and assistants are specifically trained for these specialized procedures. They are experienced in surgeries ranging from traditional bypass surgery to off-pump and minimally invasive procedures.
Call (406) 731-8500 for more information.
Cardiac Rhythm Management. We provide expert, comprehensive care for irregular heartbeats and other heart rhythm problems.
Our cardiac electrophysiologists are experts in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm problems. They use the latest techniques for services such as implanting pacemakers and internal cardiac defibrillators. Our experienced registered nurses care for you after your procedure and follow up with ongoing monitoring of how you are doing with your implant.
Invasive Cardiovascular Services. The Cath Lab. Our expert care and state-of-the-art equipment are ready 24/7 to treat problems with the heart’s arteries and other blood vessels.
Our interventional cardiologists are experts in diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures involving the arteries in the heart and peripheral vessels. They are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency procedures. State-of-the-art equipment in our cardiac catheterization labs ensures the best possible outcomes.
Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Services. Our comprehensive tests and procedures diagnose a wide range of heart and vascular problems.
Tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiography help diagnose many heart problems. We also use ambulatory cardiac monitoring, which uses small portable devices to record your heart’s rhythm over time. These include Holter monitors and arrhythmia loop monitors. Our echocardiographers also use a variety of additional procedures to diagnose abnormalities in the heart and vascular systems. Our experienced staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency procedures.
Stress Testing. Examining how the heart functions during exercise can help diagnose cardiac problems.
A cardiac stress test, also called a treadmill or exercise test, shows how your heart functions when it is stressed with a workload. Patients who can’t walk on the treadmill can use a medication to stress their heart in place of the exercise. We use nuclear medicine and echocardiography to enhance the findings. Stress tests can be done for outpatients as well as those in the hospital.
Cardiovascular Inpatient Unit (CVU). Our patient-centered CVU includes private rooms, state-of-the-art care, and a welcoming atmosphere.
If you are being treated for a heart condition or recovering from a procedure, you’ll stay in one of the comfortable, private rooms in our CVU. This unit is designed to meet nearly every need, and we welcome family members to stay with you. Our cardiac nurses and physicians continuously monitor your vital signs with the state-of-the-art centralized monitoring system, which is so unobtrusive you may not be aware of it. Specially trained providers are dedicated to caring for your medical and emotional needs and to answering questions as they come up.
Call (406) 731-8600 for more information.
Interventional Radiology & Cardiac Catheterization. Minimally invasive procedures can be used to diagnose and treat many heart conditions.
Many cardiac procedures that once required traditional open surgery can now be done with small incisions that may not require stitches. In our Interventional Radiology Department, we use the latest imaging technologies to help us perform minimally invasive procedures such as angiography, biopsies, drainages, catheter/line placement, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and others.
For more information about these services, please call (406) 731-8500 or click the link below.
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Vascular Lab. We use the most advanced technologies to diagnose blood vessel conditions.
The Vascular Lab is a specially designed unit equipped to diagnose problems of the vascular system, such as peripheral vascular disease (PAD) and other conditions. Our expert staff uses the most advanced technologies to diagnose vascular disorders, and the results lead to effective treatments. Testing in the Vascular Lab is typically non-invasive, safe, accurate, and relatively pain free.
Cardiac Rehabilitation. Planned exercise, counseling, and dietary coaching can greatly improve recovery after a heart attack or other heart problem.
People who have had a heart attack, heart surgery, or certain heart conditions can greatly improve quality of life through cardiac rehab. With our customized program, you work with a trained exercise physiologist and cardiac rehab nurse to ensure the process meets your individual needs.
This medically supervised program includes:
- Progressive exercise training
- Continuous cardiac monitoring during each exercise session
- Counseling with therapists trained in helping heart patients
- Nutritional counseling to establish a heart healthy diet
- Individual support to ensure the best outcomes
Cardiac rehab helps you regain your strength and return to work and other activities. It also lowers the risks for future heart problems. You will need a referral from your doctor to participate in cardiac rehab.
To learn more, please call (406) 455-2180.
Cardiac Outreach Program. Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute takes extra steps to improve heart health in our community and beyond.
Our cardiac outreach program demonstrates our commitment to the health and well-being of people in Great Falls and those who come to Benefis for treatment. We provide heart health education at local health fairs, free classes on heart disease and medications, and individual consultation on cardiovascular health.
If you need to travel to Great Falls for treatment, you may face additional stress and obstacles. At Benefis, we provide these services to help your care go smoothly:
- Cardiac liaison. A trained heart nurse will visit you while you are a patient at Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute.
- Link to your community doctor. We will keep your primary care doctor informed about your stay with us and provide your records after you are discharged.