The Nebraska Heart Institute provides a comprehensive program of cardiology services. These services begin with the patient and their family practice or primary care physician, a relationship fundamental in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

Prevention includes the discussion of risk factors and a patient's lifestyle in helping to lead a healthy life. Risk factors include:

• Family History
• Age
• Smoking
• High Blood Pressure
• High Blood Cholesterol
• Overweight
• Diabetes

By examining these factors and lifestyle patterns, patients can help reduce their risk to coronary artery disease. It is never too late or too early to begin a heart-healthy regimen.

The Nebraska Heart Institute provides an inclusive series of noninvasive and invasive diagnostic testing.

Noninvasive Testing:

• 64 Slice CT Scanning
• ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Imaging
• Echocardiogram
• Treadmill stress test
• Nuclear stress test
• MUGA heart scan
• Holter monitoring

Invasive Testing:

• Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
• Cardiac Catheterization

NHI practices the most up-to-date interventional therapy in the treatment of heart disease.

These options include:

• Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
• Laser angioplasty
• Balloon angioplasty
• Balloon valvuloplasty
• Atherectomy
• Coronary rotablator
• Stents
• Brachytherapy (radiation stenting)
• Valvuloplasty

Cardiologists at the Nebraska Heart Institute work with patients and referring physicians to assure that a team-based approach is used from diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation.