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Heart Care

From prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital delivers state-of-the-art services with the most compassionate care.

A cardiologist talking with a mature male

PRAIRIE HEART INSTITUTE AT HSHS ST. ANTHONY'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Here with you for memorable milestones

From welcoming a new life to celebrating a life well lived and all the moments in between, your heart beats for those you love. We know that a healthy heart is as important to them as it is to you. From high cholesterol to high blood pressure and comprehensive heart and vascular care, our team will be right by your side with expert, compassionate care focused on getting you back to those who matter most. 

St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital is committed to providing the best care possible to the people of this region. Our long-standing relationship of over 25 years and committed partnership with nationally-recognized Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois means you don't have to look any further for advanced heart care. St. Anthony’s full-time cardiologists, and Prairie Cardiovascular expert physicians continue to serve patients in the Effingham area and surrounding region.

Saving a life

Many people ignore the symptoms of heart issues until it is too late. Carol is thankful that despite her own self-admitted stubbornness, the staff at Prairie Heart Institute at St. Anthony's discovered her heart issue and saved her life.

Stethoscope wrapped around red heart

Prairie Heart Institute at St. Anthony's

Prairie Heart at St. Anthony's combines advanced technology and innovative treatment with a caring tradition, providing quality health care close to home.

Prairie Heart at St. Anthony’s provides a broad scope of Heart Care Services services to the region.  

  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Heart Monitoring
  • Heart Scan
  • Stress Tests
  • Vascular Lab Studies
  • The Prairie STAT Heart Program - Fast, high-quality heart attack care to smaller communities

If you need further advanced heart care services, our partnership with Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. John's Hospital ensures you have access to nationally-renowned experts who are pioneering exciting new ways to treat common heart problems.

Frequently asked questions

  • Chest discomfort – this includes an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing fullness or pain located in the center of the chest.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Breaking into a cold sweat, feeling nauseated or lightheaded.
A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin in the groin area and a very small incision or “puncture” is made.

A thin, flexible tube known as a catheter is placed into the leg artery. Your cardiologist will thread the catheter through the artery to your heart. A special dye is then injected through the catheter, allowing your doctor to see heart valves and arteries on the x-ray screen.

You may experience a warm sensation in your chest when the x-ray dye is injected.
The cath procedure itself takes only 15-30 minutes. The usual prep time is 1-2 hours prior, with a recovery time of 2-4 hours. Unless you have other complications unrelated to the cath, you would not be required to stay overnight; unless your physician decides otherwise.
After your procedure, you will return to your private care room. Your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored through our central monitoring system.

Specially trained staff will apply pressure at your groin puncture site until any oozing from the puncture site is controlled.

You will remain flat in bed for 2 hours, after which you may gradually begin moderate activity under observation during the next 1 to 2 hours.

Soon after your procedure you will be offered ice chips. Later in the day you will be offered liquid beverages and a light meal.
A Heart Scan is a CT scan conducted on St. Anthony’s 16-Slice CT scanner measuring the calcium load in the coronary arteries which can lead to future cardiac events, such as heart attack. The information provided by the scan can be used by your physician to recommend appropriate interventions.

Anyone 40 or older could benefit from having a Heart Scan, particularly those with these risk factors:
  • High Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • History of Smoking
  • Lack of Physical Activity
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Family History of Heart Disease
  • Being Overweight