Your Heart Care Journey Starts Here
At the Heart & Lung Institute, we specialize in comprehensive heart care, offering more tests and treatments than any other hospital in the region. Our experienced cardiologists, heart surgeons and specialized care teams collaborate closely to provide you with the highest standard of care. We prioritize your involvement in every step of your treatment, ensuring that you stay informed, empowered and connected with your care team throughout your journey to better heart health.
Our Areas of Expertise
Conditions We Treat
We understand that heart conditions can be overwhelming, but getting the right care can make all the difference. Our team of specialists is here to provide you with the most effective treatments for a wide range of cardiopulmonary issues.
We offer advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans and ongoing support to help you manage your heart health and improve your quality of life.
An arrhythmia is when the heart beats irregularly: either too fast, too slow or inconsistently. It can feel like fluttering, pounding or skipping beats, and can sometimes cause dizziness or shortness of breath. While some arrhythmias are harmless, others may require treatment to prevent complications.
Individual Conditions:
- Arrhythmia
- Brugada Syndrome
- Bundle Branch Block
- Long Q-T Syndrome
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
Aorta disease affects the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When the aorta is damaged or weakened, it can cause serious issues like aneurysms (bulging) or tears in the artery wall. These conditions can be life-threatening and may need monitoring or surgical repair.
Individual Conditions:
- Aortic Aneurysms
- Aortic Dissections
Congenital Heart Disease refers to heart defects present at birth that affect how the heart works. These defects can range from mild, requiring little or no treatment, to severe, needing surgery or lifelong care. Advances in medicine allow many people with congenital heart disease to live full and healthy lives.
Individual Conditions:
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Ventricular Septal Defect
Coronary Artery Disease happens when the blood vessels that supply the heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup. This can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or lead to a heart attack. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications or procedures to restore proper blood flow to the heart.
Individual Conditions:
- Arterial Blockage
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Cardiac Arrest/Heart Attack
- Angina/Chest Pains
- Coronary Artery Spasm
- Silent Ischemia
Other reasons for chest pains: Pericarditis
Heart Failure means the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should, which can cause fatigue, swelling and difficulty breathing. It doesn’t mean the heart has stopped working, but that it needs help to meet the body’s demands. With proper treatment, many people with heart failure can manage their symptoms and live active lives.
Individual Conditions:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Diastolic Dysfunction
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Heart Valve Disease occurs when one or more of the valves in your heart doesn’t open or close properly, which affects blood flow. Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the ankles or feet. Depending on the severity, heart valve disease can be managed with medications or may require valve repair or replacement surgery.
Individual Conditions:
- Aortic Stenosis
- Diseases of the Aortic Valve
- Diseases of the Mitral Valve
- Diseases of the Pulmonary Valve
- Diseases of the Tricuspid Valve
- Endocarditis
Specialized Procedures
Patients can take comfort in the fact that our renowned surgeons are conducting the most advanced cardiac procedures in the Valley.
Uses a special device to stabilize the section of the heart being operated on without stopping the heart. This reduces the risk of complications.
May be used for patients with significant blockages and narrowing of their heart arteries (coronary artery disease). The procedure reroutes blood around clogged arteries to improve blood and oxygen flow to the heart.
Is a minimally invasive alternative when cardiac bypass surgery isn’t an option. The bypass graft involves a smaller incision than surgery and avoids cutting into bone. Patients tend to experience shorter recovery periods, returning to their normal routine sooner than they would with surgery. Criteria for receiving the graft are different than surgery and not all patients are candidates.
Is commonly offered as an alternative to qualified, but waiting, candidates for heart transplant. The LVAD is a small pump implanted into the upper part of the abdomen that helps circulate blood throughout the body. The procedure presents a high survival rate and improved quality of life for patients in need of a heart transplant or suffering from heart failure.
Disrupts electrical signals in the heart that cause an erratic heartbeat (arrhythmia). Surgeons make several incisions in the atria, creating scar tissue to stop the unwanted electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
Offer alternatives for patients with severe symptoms of heart failure that can’t be controlled by medication. A biventricular pacemaker is a relatively new option for patients. This particular device uses electrical pulses sent by wires into the left and right ventricles to create a more normal heartbeat.
Is a minimally invasive treatment for angina aimed at improving blood flow to areas of the heart that could not be treated by angioplasty or surgery. A laser creates small channels into the heart muscle and into the heart’s lower left chamber. This procedure may be combined with coronary artery bypass surgery in some patients.
Is necessary when one or more heart valves aren’t working properly, often as a result of regurgitation or stenosis (a narrowing of the valve).
Annuloplasty repairs the ring-like part of the valve by attaching a ring of plastic, cloth or tissue around it, restoring normal blood flow through the valve.
Is primarily performed to replace diseased aortic or mitral heart valves. The procedure replaces a defective valve with a mechanical or biological valve.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat aortic stenosis when a patient is not eligible for open-heart surgery. A new valve made from wire-mesh and tissue is delivered via catheter to replace the malfunctioning aortic valve.
Community Regional Medical Center is the only hospital in the region to offer this life-saving procedure. To learn how you or a loved one can seek relief from aortic stenosis, call (559) 459-7492 or email heart@communitymedical.org.
Read the brochure.
Awards & Accreditations
Healthgrades® Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award™ 2024
Community Regional Medical Center/Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital received this award that highlights hospitals with outstanding outcomes in heart surgery, so you can trust you’re in expert hands for procedures like bypass surgery. Our heart surgery team delivers high-quality, life-saving care to protect your heart.
Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.
Primary Stroke Center and Ventricular Assist Device
Community Regional Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission as well as an Advanced Cardiac award, Ventricular Assist Device Certification.
For more information:
Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Valve Surgery in 2024
Community Regional Medical Center/Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital was recognized for exceptional outcomes. Our hospital excels in valve surgery, offering advanced techniques to improve your heart health. We’re here to provide you with life-changing care.
Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.
Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Peripheral Vascular in 2022 & 2024
Community Regional Medical Center/Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital received this award for outstanding care in treating peripheral vascular conditions, improving blood flow and reducing complications. We’re committed to helping you maintain better circulation and overall vascular health.
Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.
America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Award™ by Healthgrades® in 2022
Community Regional Medical Center/Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital was awarded to the top 50 hospitals in the nation. This distinction honors our excellence in vascular care, including the treatment of veins and arteries. We offer advanced solutions to improve your circulation and heart health.
Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.
Healthgrades® Vascular Surgery Excellence Award™ 2022
Community Regional Medical Center/Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital was recognized for excellence in vascular surgery, offering leading-edge treatments for artery and vein issues. You can count on us for advanced, life-improving care tailored to your vascular health needs.
Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.
Patient Resources
Congestive Heart Failure Clinic
Undergoing heart surgery is difficult for many reasons. To reduce unnecessary strain, we offer specialized therapies such as relaxation skills and stress management training and health-risk reduction counseling. We also provide family caregiver support to relieve some of the burden leading up to your loved one’s surgery.
The heart failure clinic at Community Regional Medical Center helps to reduce the risk and impact of heart failure for patients through better education. We teach patients how to manage symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. With our guidance, patients can reduce their emergency room visits, prevent hospitalizations and live fuller, more productive lives.
Heart and Vascular Disease Screening Program
Vascular HealthScreen is a free heart and vascular disease education and screening program. If caught early, vascular disease can be treated to prevent serious problems such as heart attack or stroke.
Every year, more than 795,000 Americans will have a stroke caused by heart or vascular disease. Up to 80% of strokes are preventable.
To schedule your free vascular screening:
This is a free screening program if you’re at least 60 years old, or if you’re at least 50 years old and have certain risk factors for vascular disease. A referral is not required, but we’ll send your screening results to your primary care physician.
Through Vascular HealthScreen, individuals are screened for common diseases such as:
- Carotid artery disease — a primary cause of preventable strokes
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms — ruptured aneurysms (bulging in the wall of a weakened artery) cause death in up to 90% of cases
- Renal artery stenosis — when untreated, frequently leads to the need for hemodialysis, a procedure to remove waste from the blood when kidneys can no longer do it
- Extremity artery disease — affects up to 12 million Americans, especially those over age 50
Because plaque builds up over time, the risk of vascular disease increases with age. You’re eligible* for a free screening if you have an established primary care physician and are:
- Greater than 60 years old
- Greater than 50 years old with one or more of the following risk factors: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a smoker, family history of vascular disease (including stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney failure, sudden cardiac death or abdominal aortic aneurysms)
- Greater than 40 years old with diabetes
- Have an active MyHealthMate by Community Medical Centers account. (If not, we can help you get one set up!)
*In an effort to make the best use of this free screening program, we’re unable to provide screenings to individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements noted above.
Please note: Individuals who receive a normal result from their Vascular HealthScreen are eligible to return for a follow-up screening in 5 years.
All screenings are offered free.
The Vascular HealthScreen program screens for the four common vascular diseases — carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, renal artery stenosis and extremity artery disease.
The process includes a blood pressure check and a non-invasive ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries, abdominal aorta and evaluation of the circulation in the lower extremities. We’ll also check your Body Mass Index (BMI) and will need to measure both your height and weight during the screening.
The painless, non-invasive screening will take between 15-20 minutes to complete.
Your results are available to you through your MyHealthMate account and via your primary care physician. Please note that Vascular HealthScreen only offers preliminary findings.
If the screening uncovers a disease, you’ll need to follow up with your primary care physician to discuss any further recommendations for care.
Additional Services to Contact:
For information on
Valve Programs
TAVR, MitraClip, and Watchman valve coordinator.
For information on
Left Ventricular Assist
Devices (LVADs)
24-hour LVAD line
For information on
Heart Failure Services
Pulmonary artery sensor monitoring (CardioMEMS) heart specialist line.
Patient Stories
Lung Nodule Program
When it comes to treating lung cancer, early detection is key. Community Medical Centers' Lung Nodule Program brings multiple specialists together to collaborate on best approach for the treatment of lung cancer for patients in the Valley.
Local Man has LVAD Device Removed from his Heart
Local resident Gary Hill receives a very special honor after Community surgeons perform a modern day miracle by removing the heart pump that saved his life.
Treating aortic stenosis with TAVR
After Dr. Kumar Sanam diagnosed his patient, Roger Anthony, with aortic stenosis, he proceeded to perform a transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure (or TAVR) to get Roger back to living his life.
Advanced cardiac care saves local restaurateur experiencing ‘widowmaker’ heart attack
If it wasn’t for the advanced cardiac care available at Clovis Community, Aaron Vasquez likely wouldn’t have survived one of the deadliest heart attacks.
Detecting & diagnosing lung cancer sooner
The first to offer it on the west coast, Community Regional’s Dr. Pravachan Hegde shows how the new Galaxy System helps with early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, and what it means for Valley patients.
Robot Surgery for Lung Cancer
After getting routine blood work done, Debbie Wray just thought she had abnormal cholesterol levels. But after a CT scan, doctors at Community determined it was lung cancer — that's when she was referred to Community's Lung Nodule Program where she met Dr. John Lin. Dr. Lin performed surgery, and Debbie is now back to living a full life.
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