To care for your heart, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center has a comprehensive cardiac program with a proven track record of providing patients with high-quality care.

The Joint Commission, the organization that evaluates hospitals across the nation, routinely evaluates compliance with core criteria that reflect the level of care hospitals provide to patients. In the latest core measurement composite scores from the Joint Commission, Desert Springs Hospital received a 98.9 percent score for its treatment of heart attack patients and 95.6 percent for its treatment of heart failure patients.

"These scores are phenomenal," says Sanjay Malhotra, MD, Chairman of the Chest Pain Observation Unit at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "They demonstrate that the level of care we provide to heart attack and heart failure patients is among the best in the nation."

Desert Springs Hospital has continually been in the forefront of cardiac care. It has the first certified chest pain center and the first dedicated post-angioplasty unit in the area, as well as a cardiopulmonary laboratory and three cardiac catheterization laboratories.

The cardiac staff provides a complete range of services, including advanced evaluation and diagnostic services, interventional procedures, cardiac surgery and cardiac rehabilitation.

"We have a well-established and well-respected heart program," says Zita Lopes-Kerr, RN, Cardiology Supervisor at Desert Springs Hospital. "We act quickly and efficiently when patients have heart problems."

"We're not a facility where patients feel like a number," Dr. Malhotra says. "We have more of a family atmosphere, where we can provide patients with exceptional care that is personalized."

Heart Problems More Common During Winter
Doctors in Las Vegas treat more cardiac problems during the winter months. Tourists who visit the area and "snowbirds" who spend the winter here account for some of the increase in cardiac events, as they tend to be older with more health problems. But heart disease also is a problem for year-round residents.

"Many L as Vegas residents have a greater risk for heart disease because of the high stress and high rate of smoking in our area," says Sanjay Malhotra, MD, Chairman of the Chest Pain Observation U nit at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "It's important that everyone make healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent heart disease."

Dr. Malhotra says people who have two or more major heart disease risk factors -- high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and a family history of heart disease -- should talk with their doctor about a cardiac evaluation.

To learn more about the cardiac services at Desert Springs Hospital and to request a free brochure, please call 369-7920 or visit www.desertspringshospital.net.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106