The Cardiovascular Institute

Our goal is to impact the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our community by providing on-site access to diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology, vascular laboratory, and cardiac rehabilitation. Learn more about our services below:

• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Diagnostic Cardiac Testing
  • Angiogram and venogram
  • EKG
  • Stress test
  • Nuclear stress test
  • Echocardiogram (ECG)
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram
  • Calcium score test
• Heart CT Scan
• Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Angioplasty and stenting
• Implantable Devices
  • Pacemaker implantation and follow-up
  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
• Vascular Lab and Blood Flow Screening

The Cardiovascular Institute at Wooster Community Hospital is accredited by the American College of Cardiology. This accreditation means that WCH has a competitive advantage through an enhanced reputation for delivering cardiovascular patient care, including:

• Better care
• Better prognoses
• Better quality of life
• Faster treatment
• Better communication

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year.

WCH is pleased to offer life-saving interventional cardiology procedures. This means that when a patient comes in having a heart attack, we can treat them right here, with no need to transfer them to another facility.

Interventional cardiology is the ability to open up blocked arteries and perform emergency angioplasty and stenting for people who experience a heart attack. Every minute that a vessel is closed, more cardiac muscle can be lost.

Cardiac procedures performed in The Cardiovascular Institute include heart catheterizations, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardioversions. Our physicians also perform:

• Angiograms
• Aortic aneurysm repairs
• Peripheral balloon angioplasty and stent placement
• Plaque removal from the arteries
• Clot removal
• Cava filter placement and retrieval
• Dialysis fistula repair

Article: WCH Interventional Cardiologist Contributes Expert Analysis in Cardiology Journal

Article: It Can Happen to Anyone - Dr. Chris Ranney's Story

Common signs that indicate you may be having a heart attack include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, or nausea
• Pain spreading to the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, or arms
• Shortness of breath

Less common warning signs of a heart attack:

• Atypical chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain
• Nausea or dizziness
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue
• Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness

DO NOT IGNORE THESE SYMPTOMS! A heart attack can be ruled out simply and quickly. If you think you or a loved one may be having a heart attack, call 911 IMMEDIATELY!

The cardiologists at WCH’s Cardiovascular Institute are proud to offer an exciting new option for our patients who require a pacemaker.

Described as the smallest pacemaker in the world, the MICRA Medtronic Pacemaker is approximately the size of a multivitamin. This FDA-approved device is able to automatically regulate the heart rate without the use of leads, and its battery is estimated to last 12 years. Designed to be implanted into the heart via a catheter (typically inserted at the groin), this pacemaker requires a less invasive surgical approach – resulting in a faster recovery and fewer post-surgical complications for patients.

It’s this type of commitment to state-of-the-art health care, right here in Wooster, Ohio, that makes the WCH Cardiovascular Institute a leader in the field of heart health. Contact our team at (330) 263-8282 to find out if you are a good candidate for the MICRA Medtronic Pacemaker.

Learn more about the MICRA Pacemaker

Read more about the MICRA Pacemaker: Bill Weekley's Story

Learn more about the history of interventional cardiology at WCH and patients we have helped:

• Interventional Cardiology Now Available at WCH
• Interventional Cardiology: Greg Iannarelli's Story
• The Cardiovascular Institute at WCH: A State-of-the-Art Facility to Meet Your Needs with Skilled Cardiologists Who Care

BE FAST to recognize the warning signs of a stroke:

• B: Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• E: Eyes – Is there sudden blurred or double vision or sudden, persistent vision trouble?
• F: Face drooping. During a stroke, one side of the face may droop or feel numb.
• A: Arm weakness. Stroke can cause weakness or numbness in one arm.
• S: Speech difficulty. Someone experiencing a stroke may slur their speech or be unable to speak.
• T: Time to call 911. If a friend or loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 immediately. Be sure to note the time when the first symptoms appeared. Emergency responders will want to know.

Other symptoms may include:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Blurred vision or temporary vision loss in one or both eyes
• Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden confusion or inability to understand
• Severe headache that occurs suddenly, with no known cause

There’s a reason why heart disease is often called “the silent killer.” Although the condition develops over time, many people do not experience symptoms until a heart attack occurs. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following signs or symptoms, call 911 immediately.