Home » Services » Cardiac

Cardiac Services

What is Cardiology?

Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the heart and its diseases.

To learn more about cardiology, click here to visit our Health Library. 

Cardiac Program Among Top 12% in U.S.

Catholic Health has long been a leader in cardiology. Annually, cardiologists at our Buffalo area hospitals treat more than 7,000 patients for cardiac illness.

The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo offers an extensive selection of cardiac services, including robotic-assisted and minimally-invasive surgeries.

In 2009, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) ranked Mercy Hospital's heart surgery program as among the top 12% in the nation by awarding its three-star national quality rating – the highest possible score – for the period of July 2008 to June 2009. More than 700 factors are considered for this rating, including the treatment that patients receive before, during and after surgery.

Diagnostic Tests

To diagnose heart diseases and disorders, Catholic Health provides cardiac diagnostic tests, including EEG (Electroencephalogram), EKG (Electrocardiogram), EP (Electrophysiology Study), and Stress Tests. Click here for more information about our diagnostic tests.

Treatment Options for Cardiac Illness

Cardiologists at the Heart Center in Buffalo use state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to offer robotic-assisted and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery and valve replacement surgeries. Click here for information about treatment options.

Rehabilitation

 Subacute Care for Heart Failure and Post-Heart-Surgical Patients 

With Catholic Health’s HeartStrong program, a short-term (subacute) rehab stay after discharge from the hospital helps patients to rebuild their strength and endurance and learn how to better manage their diseases before they return home.

Studies have shown that cardiac patients who receive subacute rehabilitation in conjunction with an intensive educational component, are far better able to manage their cardiac conditions upon returning home and avoid future hospitalizations.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

As part of our outpatient rehabilitation program, patients participate in physician-supervised aerobic exercise and an education program that emphasizes lifestyle changes and healthy living. Patients exercise wearing a cardiac monitor for most or part of the program.

Find a Cardiologist

To find a WNY cardiologist affiliated with Catholic Health, search our Physician Directory or call HealthConnection at (716) 447-6205 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Physician Showcase

John Bell-Thomson, M.D., discusses the heart surgery program at Mercy Hospital that was recently rated among the best in the nation by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Cardiologist Henry Meltser, M.D., discusses the correlation between coronary heart disease and peripheral heart disease, and the management of both diseases offered at Mercy Hospital.

More Information

For more information about Catholic Health's cardiac services, contact HealthConnection at (716) 447-6205 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.