Surgery and Interventional Procedures The treatment you receive for your heart disease depends on the type of heart disease you have and the severity of your symptoms. In many cases, a combination of medication and healthy lifestyle behaviors can manage your symptoms and improve your heart's function. For other conditions, such as coronary artery disease (blockage of the arteries that transport oxygen and nutrients to the heart) and heart valve disease (when heart valves don't work normally), surgery or interventional procedures may be needed. Cardiac interventional procedures consist of evaluating the level of vessel blockage and treating the blockage in a number of ways. In a balloon angioplasty procedure, a balloon is inserted to break up the blockage. In a stent procedure, the blockage is broken up and a small stent is placed within the blood vessel to increase its diameter and keep the vessel open. Coronary artery bypass surgery involves using a blood vessel from another part of the body to bypass part of a coronary artery that is narrowed or blocked. Blood goes through the new blood vessel, avoiding the blocked artery, and flows into the heart. With heart valve disease, your doctor may suggest either heart valve repair or heart valve replacement, depending on how damaged the valve is. In heart valve repair, the valve is reshaped, supported around its base and attached to nearby heart tissues. In heart valve replacement, the damaged valve is removed and replaced with a synthetic valve. Diagnostic Tests Bayhealth - Kent General Hospital has a dedicated cardiology suite that centralizes the diagnostic cardiology department and the cardiac catheterization laboratories into one location. The suite includes a room with stress testing equipment, where all physician reading stations for EKG/Holter Monitoring, Echocardiography and Cardiac Cath testing are located. Click here to learn more about cardiac catheterization, here for EKG and here for Echocardiography (NEW SECTIONS TO BE ADDED TO WEBSITE) or call (302) 744-7060 to schedule your diagnostic test. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Bayhealth has a three-phase cardiac rehabilitation program, a medically supervised program designed to help you achieve cardiac fitness. The program provides exercise therapy and education on coronary risk factor modifications. Many cardiac patients will return home at discharge and enter rehab as an outpatient. If you need inpatient rehab for strengthening before returning home, you can have your needs addressed at The Regional Rehab Facility at Milford Memorial Hospital. For more information about Bayhealth's rehabilitation services, please click here. Respiratory Care Bayhealth's Respiratory Care staff provides essential inpatient diagnostic and therapeutic services, including basic respiratory support, advanced life support and diagnostic testing. For information, click here. Nutrition Services Bayhealth's Nutritional Services team is comprised of clinical dietitians, certified nutrition support dietitians and certified diabetes educators with advanced training in meeting the nutritional needs of our patients. Our Nutrition Services Department has a full outpatient program that can teach you how to create heart healthy meals. For information, click here. Home Care Some patients can return directly home after surgery or interventional procedures with the help of home health care services. Community home health care agencies, including Bayhealth Home Health Care, have a team of nurses, therapists, and certified nursing assistants to assist at home until you can travel to outpatient services for rehabilitation. Any needed medical equipment can be obtained from durable medical equipment providers in the local area. For more information about Bayhealth's Home Care services, click here. Social Services An employee from Bayhealth's Social Services Department will meet with you and your family to assess your needs and assist in providing needed services. We are committed to providing a discharge plan specific to your individual needs based on your rate of recovery and your overall medical status. Your possible discharge options include outpatient cardiac rehab, inpatient rehab and home health care. Additionally, if you need specific medical equipment, your discharge planner will make arrangements for equipment before your discharge. Social Services communicates with the medical staff and your health insurance provider to determine your specific needs, and obtain approval. Social Services will assist you and your family in the smooth transition from hospital to home with needed medical supplies and services. For more information, call Bayhealth Medical Planning Social Services at (302) 744-7147. Spiritual Care Bayhealth's Chaplain is available to meet your spiritual and emotional needs and the needs of your family. For more information, please click here.