St. Joseph's Mercy - Mercy Heart & Vascular Center

The Mercy Heart Center is a 54,000-square-foot facility dedicated exclusively to the detection, treatment and prevention of heart disease. Following the spring of 2008 completion to a 20,000-plus-square-foot expansion, the Center's already comprehensive approach to cardiovascular care was further enhanced, especially where interventional procedures are concerned. A new heart and vascular catheterization area - expanded from five to 12 beds - allows patients to experience a "one-stop-shop" experience, with registration, pre-procedure, procedure and post-procedure care all being done at the Mercy Heart & Vascular Center.

In addition to the heart and vascular catherization area, services offered by the Center include an outpatient heart and vascular clinic with an area for vascular screenings, comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program, large waiting room for heart and vascular patients, admissions-registration area, two large education classrooms, office space for Central Arkansas Cardiovascular Institute cardiologists and the Chest Pain Unit. One of the large classrooms, Catherine's Kitchen, is equipped for nutritional counseling and "heart healthy" cooking demonstrations. The Chest Pain Unit is adjacent to the new Emergency Department and features five cardiac observation beds. Patients experiencing chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack should enter the walk-in entrance to the Emergency Department to access the Chest Pain Unit.

Dr. Joe Howe, St. Joseph's cardiovascular surgeon, is committed to providing high quality cardiovascular care to the community. Our nationally certified cardiac rehabilitation program was recently voted "Best Cardiac Rehab" in the state by the American Association of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

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