Heart & Vascular

Westerly Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, provides western Rhode Island residents with an extensive array of heart and vascular services in a community hospital setting.

Board-certified, community-based cardiologists and other clinical experts provide comprehensive care that includes advanced diagnostic tests and emergency medicine, inpatient and outpatient evaluations, consultations and treatment. For electrophysiology patients we provide Holter and event monitoring as well as treatment for atrial fibrillation, heart blocks and ventricular arrhythmias. Advanced services include cardiac catheterization as well as pacemaker and defibrillator implantation. We also offer cardiac rehabilitation and a cardiac risk reduction program.

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory provides the following services:

• Defibrillator implantation
• Diagnostic cardiac angiography and hemodynamic studies
• Direct current cardioversion
• Pacemaker implantation
• Transesophageal echocardiogram

For information, call our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at 401-348-6949.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offers a medically supervised program of monitored cardiovascular conditioning, behavioral modification and nutrition education to reduce risk factors associated with heart disease. The program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Program participation requires a physician referral following at least one of the following events: heart attack, congestive heart failure, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, stent placement, valve surgery, heart transplant or a recent diagnosis of chronic stable angina. Each 12-week program has 36 sessions. Classes are held in the Morgan Medical Building, 45 Wells St., Suite 101, Westerly, RI. For information, call the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at 401-348-3793.

Cardiac Risk Factor Reduction Program

Westerly Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department offers a 12-session Cardiac Risk Factor Reduction Program open to adults of all ages and fitness levels. The program includes risk factor identification, individualized exercise sessions created by exercise physiologists, blood pressure monitoring, and education on cardiac risk factors including cholesterol, stress management and weight loss. The program is facilitated by exercise physiologists and a registered nurse, all certified in CPR and advanced cardiac life support.

To be eligible for the program you must have one of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight/obesity, stress, family history of heart disease, sedentary lifestyle and/or smoking. A physician referral is required. The program is not covered by insurance. Program benefits may include reduced cholesterol and blood pressure, improved control of blood glucose, improved quality of sleep, weight loss, increased flexibility and reduced shortness of breath.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Program

Westerly Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab department offers a 12-week, 36-session medically supervised exercise training program for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). The program is designed to help to improve walking ability and decrease exercise-induced symptoms through cardiovascular exercise and resistance training and is open to adults of all ages and fitness levels. The program includes individualized exercise prescription specifically for patients with PAD, blood pressure monitoring and educational handouts and lectures on topics related to PAD. Potential benefits of the program include increased aerobic capacity, reduced cardiac disease risk factors, improved blood glucose levels, improved quality of life, potential weight loss, improved overall walking and stair climbing ability and increased time until onset of claudication pain. Sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Morgan Medical Building (below).

A physician referral is required for admission into this program. Please check with your insurance provider for eligibility and your specific coverage. For more information, call Westerly Hospital's Cardiac Rehab department at 401-348-3793.