Exceptional Care

World-Class Cardiovascular Care on the Central Coast

Patients with heart conditions and stroke – cardiovascular diseases that are primary causes of death in the United States – receive nationally renowned care from Salinas Valley Health’s skilled team of physicians.

2022-23

Our cardiovascular experts provide advanced diagnostics, leading-edge interventional treatments, minimally invasive options and life-impacting rehabilitation services. The ever-evolving specialty of cardiovascular care regularly offers new options, delivering the best of care to our patients, right here at home.

Setting the Framework for the Future

Icon of stopwatchWhen a person suffers a stroke, every second counts. The faster the treatment, the more brain cells are saved. Salinas Valley Health has achieved a goal that sets the framework for the future of stroke treatment for our patients.

During an acute stroke, blood flow to the brain stops – due to bleeding in the brain or a clot blocking a blood vessel – and deprives brain cells of oxygenated blood. For every minute without oxygen, approximately 1.9 million neurons in the brain die.

The well-executed work of our midnight team on December 7, 2022, resulted in the delivery of the clot-busting drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) to a patient in less than 30 minutes – a new record for our medical center. It involved the coordinated work of multiple departments and staff.

When a patient shows up “not acting right,” the team must assess what is “not normal.” They start IVs, register the patient, send blood to the lab, take X-rays and get the patient on a scanner to determine if they are having a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain or a clot. As was the case for our December 7 patient, when it is a clot, the clot-busting drug tPA must be mixed and drawn up. Close observation is critical. Too much, or given too fast, tPA can be fatal.

Reaching this new bar in stroke treatment was possible because each facet of the trauma team worked in seamless coordination. Salinas Valley Health is proud of what the success of this rapid triage represents in expediting diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients for the best possible outcomes.

Life-Impacting Cardiac Care With Minimally Invasive Procedures

Icon of heart monitorWhile stroke is the fifth leading cause of death for all Americans, heart disease ranks at the top of the list. For help, patients turn to our cardiac experts for vascular interventional procedures, electrophysiology, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac rehabilitation and interventional cardiology – including transcatheter aortic valve replacement, WATCHMAN FLX™ left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and MitraClip™.

Our structural heart programs transform patients’ heart health. Noninvasive and minimally invasive alternatives significantly reduce recovery time. An on-site Cardiac Fitness Center provides comprehensive rehabilitation resources to get our patients back on track. Salinas Valley Health is also proud to host a Cardiovascular Research Program that offers pioneering treatments.

With all-encompassing components of preventive health education, state-of-the-art diagnostics, a skilled team adept at multiple types of advanced treatments, and a strong rehabilitation and support program, Salinas Valley Health patients receive unparalleled cardiovascular care.

A collage of images featuring an ambulance departing from the hospital, doctors looking at brain scans, and a doctor entering a trauma room.
A collage of images featuring an ambulance departing from the hospital, doctors looking at brain scans, and a doctor entering a trauma room.
A collage of images featuring an ambulance departing from the hospital, doctors looking at brain scans, and a doctor entering a trauma room.

Nationally Recognized Excellence

Our comprehensive cardiovascular services receive regular national and international awards and honors, and our expert team of cardiac physicians is among the best you will find anywhere. Recent recognitions include:

  • American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry: Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2022 and 2023 for
    all ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) cases
  • American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines® – CAD: 2022 and 2023 Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus and Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI Gold Awards
  • American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure: 2022 and 2023 Gold Plus Honor Roll Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for Heart Failure
  • American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines – Stroke: 2022 and 2023 Gold Plus Honor Roll Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons: Three out of three stars overall rating for open heart coronary artery bypass graft and valve surgeries

To learn more about our cardiovascular services and procedures, visit SalinasValleyHealth.com/services/cardiac-care

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Two nurses in blue scrubs stand beside a hospital bed, smiling. Medical equipment is visible in the background. Two nurses in blue scrubs stand beside a hospital bed, smiling. Medical equipment is visible in the background.

Exceptional Care

Exceptional Care at Every Level

At Salinas Valley Health, our commitment to care exists at every level of our work. From routine exams to treatment of acute conditions or emergency needs, seamless delivery of excellent care is our goal. Yet some situations stand out. They strike a chord in our hearts and remind us of the exceptional care provided to save lives.

categories and tags Exceptional Care, Excellence