Cardiovascular Health
Leaders in Heart and Vascular Care
We offer world-class heart and vascular care from Stanford Medicine doctors in a convenient setting. Receive advanced treatments and leading-edge diagnostic tests at our Pleasanton campus, including our new Heart & Vascular Clinic.
What We Offer You for Cardiovascular Health Care
- Specialized expertise in heart and vascular conditions, including heart disease, heart attack, arrhythmia, aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, and valve problems.
- Advanced treatment including minimally invasive angioplasty and catheterization, heart surgery, vascular surgery, device implantation, and diagnostics.
- Team-based approach to diagnosis and treatment from cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and specialized nurses.
- Comprehensive support services, including cardiovascular rehabilitation, to help you and your family focus on health and healing.
- Ease of access to care from experienced cardiologists and cardiac and vascular surgeons working together with our high-performing hospital.
HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC PLEASANTON
We now offer access to even more Stanford Cardiovascular Health services with the expansion of our Heart & Vascular Clinic Pleasanton. Our redesigned facility offers advanced treatment and testing options, all at one convenient Tri-Valley location. Learn more about the wide range of expertise that we offer:
Heart & Vascular Clinic Pleasanton
5565 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite 150
Pleasanton, CA 94588
People who experience a STEMI (an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, the most severe type of heart attack) are in good hands at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley. Our hospital earned distinction as an American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center. This achievement means that our emergency department consistently exceeds national standards for numerous metrics measuring severe heart attack care.
Structural heart problems
- Aortic disease: Problems with the aorta, the large artery that supplies blood to the lower body
- Aortic stenosis: Narrowing of the aortic valve, which reduces blood flow into the aorta
- Cardiomyopathy: A group of heart muscle diseases that interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Inherited disease causing the heart wall to thicken and not work properly
- Congenital heart disease: Structural heart problems that some people are born with, requiring lifelong care
Heart rhythm problems
- Arrhythmia: Conditions that cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib): Fluttering heartbeat (palpitations) that can lead to blood clots and stroke
Heart attack and heart disease
- Heart attack: Also called myocardial infarction, a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle
- Heart failure: A condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should
- Valvular heart disease: Structural problems with any of the heart’s valves, affecting blood flow through the heart
Vascular conditions
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Bulge or weakened spot of the lower aorta in the abdomen, causing dangerous bleeding if it bursts
- Aortic dissection: Life-threatening condition in which a tear in the inner layer of the aorta’s wall allows blood to surge through the layers, causing the layers to split (dissect)
- Chronic wounds: Wounds that don’t heal or respond to treatment within 30 days
- Chronic venous insufficiency: Damaged valves in leg veins that allow blood to flow backwards, causing swollen legs and varicose veins
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Blood clot that forms in a deep vein (usually in the legs) and can travel to the lungs, blocking blood flow
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Also called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), narrowed blood vessels outside the heart that reduce blood flow to organs and limbs
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Weakened area or bulge in the upper part of the aorta in the chest, causing life-threatening bleeding if it bursts
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: Compression of blood vessels in the space between the first rib and collarbone, causing pain and numbness
- Varicose veins: Swollen, twisted veins near the skin’s surface resulting from chronic venous insufficiency
HEART DISEASE IS PREVENTABLE.
Our multidisciplinary team of heart and vascular experts uses the latest technology and techniques to treat all cardiovascular conditions. In addition to open surgery, our surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures that can offer a faster recovery. Customized cardiac rehabilitation helps you get back to your usual activities.
Cardiac Treatments
Our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons offer experience and expertise in the latest cardiac testing and treatment options. Surgical outcomes that continually surpass national benchmarks set by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons prove our surgeons’ expertise. Interventional cardiologists perform minimally invasive procedures using tiny incisions and a catheter, a tube inserted into blood vessels, usually through the groin.
We perform the full range of cardiology testing, treatments and procedures, including:
Diagnosis and monitoring
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: Imaging studies to evaluate the health of arteries, blood vessels, and heart structures
- Echocardiogram: A test that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to create precise pictures of your heart without radiation
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): A test that records the heart’s electrical impulses to assess heart rhythm, chamber size, and muscle thickness
- Heart monitoring: Wearable monitors that measure your heart rhythm during your daily activities over several days or weeks
- Implantable heart failure monitor: Tiny implant that remotely monitors blood pressure changes in your pulmonary artery, providing an early signal of worsening heart failure
- Implantable loop recorder (ILR): Small implant (about the size of a paper clip) that continuously monitors your heart’s rhythms to help understand reasons for palpitations or fainting spells
- Laboratory tests: Blood tests to look for infection and measure cholesterol, white blood cells, and other measures of heart health
- Nuclear medicine: Imaging using small amounts of radioactive material to assess blood flow and heart or vascular disease
- Stress test: Scans of your heart at rest and during exercise to reveal the cause of potential problems
Catheter-based treatments
· Ablation: Treatment of specific areas of the heart that cause arrhythmia
· Atherectomy: Procedure that uses a catheter with a laser or blade on the end to remove plaque from arteries
· Balloon angioplasty: Procedure to insert and inflate a balloon to reopen arteries
· Stent placement: Procedure to place a tiny coil inside the blocked artery to open it and keep it open, done during an angioplasty
Heart valve procedures
- Valve repair or replacement using surgery: Open-heart procedures to repair or replace the aortic and mitral valves
- Natural heart valve repair: A surgical procedure that uses your own healthy heart tissue to rebuild valves
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): Minimally invasive catheter procedure to replace the aortic valve without open-heart surgery to treat severe aortic stenosis
- Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR): Minimally invasive catheter procedure to repair a leaky mitral valve, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery
Device implants
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): Device that monitors the heart for life-threatening erratic and fast heart rhythms and sends an electrical pulse to restore a normal heartbeat
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT): Device that helps coordinate the lower heart chambers’ pumping action so the heart pumps blood more efficiently
- Pacemaker: Device that monitors and corrects a slow heartbeat by sending a mild electrical pulse
Structural heart surgery
- Congenital heart surgery: Procedures to correct structural heart problems present at birth
- Myectomy or myotomy: Surgery to remove a thickened heart wall to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Left ventricle remodeling/surgical ventricular restoration: Surgery to restore the heart’s natural shape after a heart attack
- Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR): Surgery that uses lasers to create small holes in heart muscle to relieve angina or chest pain by improving blood flow to the heart
Procedures to correct heart rhythm
- Cardioversion: Procedure that uses a controlled, low-energy electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm
- Catheter ablation: Minimally invasive procedure treating the specific area of heart tissue that causes irregular heartbeat
- Maze procedure: Open-heart or minimally invasive (TTMaze) procedure to create scar tissue on the heart to interrupt abnormal electrical signals causing AFib
- Targeted temperature management (TTM): Treatment that lowers your body temperature for 24 to 48 hours after a cardiac arrest to protect brain function as your body recovers
Vascular Treatments
The vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley have deep expertise in diagnosing and treating a range of conditions affecting the circulatory system. Services include:
Diagnosis
Our on-site Vascular Lab provides leading-edge, noninvasive and diagnostic testing, ensuring high-quality results. Expert registered vascular technologists perform tests such as:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: Imaging tests to evaluate the health of arteries, blood vessels, and heart structures
- Indirect, non-imaging testing: Tests such as the ankle-brachial index (ABI) that use blood pressure cuffs to measure and compare the difference in blood pressure in your arms and legs
- Laboratory tests: Blood tests to look for infection and measure cholesterol, white blood cells, and other indicators of heart health
- Nuclear medicine: Imaging using small amounts of radioactive material to assess blood flow and heart or vascular disease
- Ultrasound: Scans that use sound waves to show blood flow through blood vessels
To request a test, refer to our Patient Test Request Form. Your doctor completes, signs, and sends the form to us by fax at 925-278-7015.
Catheter-based procedures
- Atherectomy: Procedure that uses a catheter with a laser or blade on the end to remove plaque from blood vessels
- Balloon angioplasty: Procedure that expands a tiny balloon inside the blood vessel to press the walls open
- Hybrid coronary revascularization: Procedure that combines two treatment methods to treat coronary artery disease
- Intravascular lithotripsy: Use of shock waves to break up calcium deposits inside blood vessels to reduce blockages and allow surgeons to place a stent to hold vessels open
- Laser angioplasty: Procedure that vaporizes an artery’s blockage with a laser
- Percutaneous coronary intervention: Procedure to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels and place a stent (tiny coil) to hold open the blood vessel
- Percutaneous thrombectomy: Procedure that uses a catheter and specialized tools to break up or remove an embolism (blood clot or air bubble blocking an artery)
- Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR): Procedure that allows your doctor to treat a narrowed carotid artery while reducing your risk of stroke
- Vena cava filter: Procedure to place a filter in the inferior vena cava (the body’s largest vein) to prevent blood clots from reaching the heart or lungs
Bypass surgery
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery: Surgery to restore blood flow to the heart by bypassing the blocked or narrowed coronary artery with another piece of blood vessel, usually a vein from the leg
- Femoral popliteal (Fem-Pop) bypass surgery: Procedure to treat disease in the femoral artery (leg’s main artery) by using a piece of another blood vessel to go around the blocked portion
- Lower extremity revascularization: Vascular bypass surgery in the leg to restore blood flow and prevent possible limb loss (limb salvage)
Wound care
We treat underlying vascular problems (such as peripheral vascular disease) to restore blood flow to extremities, helping chronic wounds heal. Our doctors emphasize limb preservation and salvation using a variety of clinical treatments, therapies, and support services.
Aneurysm and aortic dissection repair
- Aortic aneurysm repair: Open surgery to repair an aneurysm (weakened, bulging area) in the aorta, either in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) or abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm)
- Aortic dissection repair: Surgery to replace the torn part of the aorta with a graft (artificial blood vessel)
- Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): Minimally invasive repair of an aneurysm through a small incision in the groin, also called endovascular stent grafting
Cardiac Rehabilitation
After a cardiac event, you may feel hesitant to get back to your usual activities for fear of putting too much strain on your heart. Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program provides expert guidance and monitoring as you regain your strength and stamina, reducing your risk for repeated heart problems.
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is medically supervised exercise and education that helps improve your heart health after a cardiac event or treatment. With cardiac rehabilitation, our goals are to help you:
- Recover faster
- Increase endurance
- Improve muscle strength
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure and heart rate
- Improve your lipid (blood cholesterol) panel
- Learn education and tips to incorporate an exercise program into daily activities
Three phases of cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation has three phases. Each phase is designed to meet your individual needs throughout your recovery.
- Phase I: You discuss heart disease, lifestyle, and cardiac rehabilitation with your provider after a cardiac event or treatment.
- Phase II: You participate in closely monitored exercise training and education on heart-healthy living.
Phase III: You receive an optional exercise maintenance program following cardiac rehabilitation. This self-pay program helps you self-monitor your overall cardiovascular status as you continue your exercise program to achieve optimal health.
Physical activity
Cardiac rehabilitation improves your cardiovascular fitness through carefully monitored cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. During your workout, you wear a small cardiovascular monitor that:
- Transmits your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG readings to our exercise physiologists and cardiovascular physician
- Allows physiologists to ensure that you do not overstress your heart while you’re active
Educational sessions
More than just an exercise program, cardiac rehabilitation educates you about your well-being. Our staff works with you to review all aspects of heart care, including:
- Exercise
- Diet
- Stress management
- Conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, such as diabetes
Your Heart and Vascular Care Team
Our heart and vascular team includes several types of cardiovascular specialists to monitor and manage your care, from nonsurgical treatment through surgery and rehabilitation. Our team includes board-certified surgeons and doctors who work with certified technicians and other specially trained staff to support you throughout your care.
Your Doctors
Cardiac Anesthesiologists
Cardiovascular or cardiothoracic anesthesiologists are specially trained anesthesiologists dedicated to caring for people undergoing heart and other thoracic surgery. They specialize in using medications and critical care techniques to keep you safely asleep during heart and vascular surgeries.
View All {0} Anesthesiologists »Cardiac Surgeons
Cardiac surgeons have expertise in performing heart surgery. They treat and repair structural heart problems such as valve disease and septal defects. They perform procedures, such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, to treat blockages that cause heart failure and heart attack.
View All Cardiac Surgeons »Cardiologists
A cardiologist is a doctor who has had extra training to treat conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. They complete three years of specialized training in addition to standard medical education. They diagnose and treat problems such as chest pain, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia), valve problems, and high blood pressure.
View All Cardiologists »Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Cardiothoracic surgeons have at least five years of specialized training after medical school in procedures that involve the organs in the chest, including the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea (windpipe). They may also treat issues affecting the abdominal and chest wall and the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs. They treat conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, chest trauma, heart and lung transplantation, esophageal cancer, emphysema, and lung cancer.
View all Cardiothoracic Surgeons »Interventional Cardiologists
Interventional cardiologists treat conditions such as heart valve problems, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis (hardened arteries) using minimally invasive procedures. They work in a special interventional cardiology suite often called the cardiac catheterization (or cath) lab. They thread tiny tools through blood vessels to clear clots, use stents to widen blood vessels, or place pacemakers or valves.
View All Interventional Cardiologists »Vascular Surgeons
Vascular surgeons are doctors with training to diagnose and surgically treat conditions affecting the vascular system (blood vessels). They repair problems such as blockages of veins and arteries in the legs, aortic aneurysms (weakened area in the aorta), and varicose veins.
View All Vascular Surgeons »
Support Services
We help with the details so you can focus on your health and wellness. We offer a range of patient services and helpful information to coordinate the various aspects of your care:
Videos and Resources
Our cardiologists, heart surgeons, and vascular surgeons provide deep expertise in diagnosing and treating a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. You’ll find convenient, local care with access to the latest innovations and research.
Convenient care where you live and work
- Insurance and billing: We accept several insurance plans to serve you. Most insurance plans cover initial office visits, sleep studies, and follow-up care.
- Coordinated care: Benefit from recognized expertise for emergency situations and ongoing cardiovascular care in one integrated program.
- MyHealth: Our MyHealth system allows you to access your records and view test results through a secure, online portal and device app. You can also communicate with your doctors.