Advanced Treatment for Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cardiologists and other specialists at South Texas Health System McAllen provide a wide range of services for diagnosing and treating heart conditions such as triple aortic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and more.

Accredited Chest Pain Center

A man and woman smiling hugging each otherSouth Texas Health System McAllen has received full Cycle III accreditation as a Chest Pain Center from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. The hospital was recognized for its care and treatment of patients who present with symptoms of a heart attack. This care starts from the first symptoms and continues through discharge.

Patients who need catheterization are medically stabilized and sent to a facility such as South Texas Health System McAllen, where we perform interventional cardiac procedures and feature heart specialists, cardiac rehabilitation therapists and more.

Get a referral for a cardiologist

To find a doctor for heart care or to schedule an appointment, call the South Texas Health System Reserve and Learn line at 800-879-1033 or search for a cardiologist online.

A 3D illustration of a heart

Tests to Diagnose Heart Disease

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to generate images of the heart, which a physician then uses to determine how blood is flowing through the heart and heart valves. This helps the physician diagnose heart disease and other heart conditions affecting the heart's structure.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that records electrical signals in the heart to show how it is beating. It measures the electrical activity of your heart and helps physicians diagnose heart attacks and irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.

Implantable loop recorder

An implantable loop recorder, also called a cardiac event recorder, is a device that is implanted just under the skin of the chest. It monitors the heart and continuously records the heartbeat for a period of time. Physicians use the results to determine how the heart is beating during daily activities.

Nuclear Stress Test

During a nuclear stress test, a small amount of radioactive material (called a tracer or radiotracer) is put into the bloodstream through an IV. Imaging equipment is then used to see how the material moves through the heart arteries. It helps doctors see how blood is flowing through the heart at rest and during exercise, which can help them diagnose damage in the heart.

Stress Test

A stress test is performed to help cardiologists determine how the heart is working during stressful physical activity. The heart works harder during exercise, so the test can show if blood is not flowing properly within the heart.