Providing the Widest Range of Complex Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgical Procedures in the Region.
The Presbyterian Heart Group's cardiothoracic surgical team provides patients with the highest quality health care in the safest environment possible. Supported by an outstanding team of physician assistants, nurses and staff, highly skilled and specialized cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons perform the full spectrum of cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical procedures, including:
– State-of-the-art heart surgery including complex aortic reconstruction, complete coronary revascularization, beating heart surgery, surgery for heart failure and arrhythmias.
– Full scope of thoracic surgery including thoracic oncology, video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and esophageal surgery.
– Vascular surgery services including endovascular surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, and minimally invasive procedures for venous disease.
Plus, the Presbyterian Heart Group has the only pediatric heart surgeon in the state and is the only hospital in New Mexico performing congenital open heart procedures.
Superior Care, Close to Home and Close to Family
Presbyterian Heart Group surgeons perform over 700 surgeries per year and offer the widest range of the most complex surgical services in New Mexico – far beyond the standard CABG and valve replacements, and including procedures that are found at only a handful of hospitals throughout the United States:
– Aortic root surgery (with valve preservation)
– Thoracic aortic aneurysms
– Mitral valve repair
– Endovascular surgery
– Abdominal aortic stent grafts
– Valve replacement
– Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
– Arrhythmia surgery
The Presbyterian Heart Group Surgeons
Carl F. Lagerstrom, MD
Peter L. Walinsky, MD
Chris Wehr, MD
Heart Attack Quiz
True or False: Chest pain is the most commonly reported heart attack symptom.
True. Chest pain is the most commonly reported heart attack symptom, but most people say their heart attack symptoms were not what they expected. Most people expect a heart attack to be a sudden, intense pain, but often heart attacks start slowly. It may feel more like discomfort in the chest area accompanied by a shortness of breath, nausea, light-headedness, or a cold sweat. Or, pain may be felt in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
True or False: Most heart attacks occur in people over 65.
True. However, 45 percent – or nearly half of all heart attacks – occur in people under age 65. Five percent occur in people under age 40.
True or False: Women rarely have heart attacks.
False. Heart disease is the number-one killer of American women, and nearly half of all heart attack deaths each year happen to women. And, women are less likely to survive a heart attack than are men.
True or False: Some people who are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack often wait hours or even days before seeking needed medical care.
True. Many people do not recognize their symptoms as life-threatening. That’s whyit is important to know the warning signs and take action quickly.
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