For over 35 years, Brookwood Medical Center has provided comprehensive programs and services dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. We are committed to providing the advanced technology, quality care and highly skilled personnel to treat the cardiovascular needs of our patients.

With dozens of cardiac and vascular specialists performing tens of thousands of diagnostic, interventional and surgical procedures each year, it’s easy to see why physicians and patients throughout Alabama depend on the experience and expertise that Brookwood Medical Center’s cardiovascular program provides.

Our board-certified cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and experienced support staff work together as an integrated team in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of heart and vascular conditions.

Our dedication to quality patient care has been recognized by our peers in the healthcare industry. We have received a variety of performance awards from organizations such as the American Heart Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CIGNA and UnitedHealth. 

Heart Attack Intervention Program - The Brookwood Emergency Department utilizes a team approach to quickly assess and diagnose patients with heart attack symptoms. Our award-winning* Fast Response team include Emergency Department physicians, cardiologists and other trained personnel who work in a collaborative and time-sensitive manner to administer the appropriate treatment for heart attack patients.

Non-Invasive Cardiology - Dedicated physicians and staff use the latest technology for the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease. This dedicated program performs thousands of diagnostic tests each year, including nuclear medicine, ultrasound, EKG, and 64-slice Cardiac CT.

Cardiac Catheterization Labs - Specially trained cardiologists view images of the heart and arteries in labs designed to perform a wide range of diagnostic and interventional procedures. Recently we’ve added intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and a new imaging system with flat panel technology to our cath labs, which provide two fully integrated labs for both cardiac and vascular procedures.

Our cath labs offer all-digital cardiovascular and interventional imaging, helping physicians clearly visualize fine vessels, precisely place stents and successfully perform many lifesaving procedures. Our new intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) uses high-frequency sound waves to provide the physician with a cross-sectional view from inside the artery. Combining IVUS with angiography provides a more complete picture of the diseased artery and helps the cardiologist to determine treatment options.

Electrophysiology Physicians Provide Specialized Care - Diagnostic procedures assess the natural electrical pathways in the heart. If diagnostic findings warrant treatment, options such as radio-frequency ablation, or the implantation of a defibrillator or pacemaker are offered.

Each of the EP physicians at the Brookwood Heart & Vascular Center has fellowship training in the specialized area of irregular heart rhythms.

Cardiovascular Surgery at Brookwood
Board-certified cardiothoracic physicians use advanced technologies and procedures to treat a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, including the following: 

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) - Using endoscopic vein harvesting, off-pump and minimally invasive techniques, our surgeons aim to provide CABG patients with less post-surgery discomfort, a shorter recovery time, less risk for infection and less scarring. 

Atrial Fibrillation - Brookwood’s cardiac surgeons can perform surgical procedures to return the heart to a normal rhythm. These procedures may be performed in conjunction with a cardiac bypass graft or as a stand-alone procedure. Some patients may be candidates for minimally invasive procedures, which typically require only a short hospital stay and less recovery time.

Heart Valve Repair - Heart valve conditions often leave patients without energy and unable to enjoy daily work and activities. Today, there are several options for valve repair and replacement. Brookwood surgeons have performed hundreds of valve repairs designed to provide patients with more efficient and productive heart valve function and improved quality of life.

Endoscopic Aortic Abdominal Aneurism Repair - Brookwood surgeons repair bulges and weakened areas in the aortic and iliac walls using the latest minimally invasive surgery techniques. These techniques are intended to provide patients with smaller incisions, less scarring and shorter recovery times.

Interventional Vascular Procedures - For patients with advanced Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), Brookwood cardiovascular physicians routinely evaluate and treat this condition with endovascular and surgical procedures to restore blood flow to the affected arteries.

Cardiovascular patients can recover comfortably with qualified care and advanced technology in our specialized units. 

Specialized Nursing Units - Our cardiovascular patients are cared for by specialized nursing units designed for our heart patients. The Coronary Care Unit (CCU), the Cardiac Intervention Unit (CIU), the Cardiovascular Surgical Unit (CVSU), and the Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit are dedicated areas for cardiac patients. Experienced nurses and support staff provide compassionate care individualized to our cardiac patients’ treatment and recovery needs.

Upgraded Facilities Enhance Care - Recent renovations to our CVSU allow us to recover patients using new technology, while keeping them comfortable following surgical procedures. 

Eight private recovery rooms are spacious enough for the patient and all equipment as well as any family members who wish to be present during recovery. All-new, upgraded equipment is mounted on booms that can rotate around the bed, allowing for multiple placement options, depending on the height of the patient or nurse, or the number of family members in the room.

This unit’s hospital beds electronically maintain a history of how long the head of the bed has been up, or the side rails down. They can be moved with the push of a button, making it easier for the nurses to place a patient comfortably without pushing or pulling and the accompanying jarring of the patient.  

When patients have a primary language other than English, the beds also provide translations for key medical terms and procedures, improving communication without the delay of waiting for a translator. 

Ambient lighting enables nurses to check on patients at night without the harsh, disturbing glare of overhead lights. And dialysis capabilities are available for any patient with pre-existing renal problems.

When patients are ready to move to the step-down unit, they’ll find another newly renovated room that keepsthem comfortable until they return to their own home. The flat-screen television, recliner, and central heat and air that are adjustable for each room ensure a pleasant stay for cardiac patients following their procedure. 

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation - Once a patient leaves Brookwood’s Heart & Vascular Center, the work begins on improving the patient’s heart health and lifestyle in an effort to achieve a longer, more productive life. At Brookwood, we provide both inpatient and outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services, using exercise, education and counseling to help patients with cardiovascular conditions reduce risks and help prevent further complications from their heart disease.