Cardiology & Specialty Care - Dignity Health - San Luis Obispo, CA

Cardiology care at Dignity Health Cardiology & Specialty Care in San Luis Obispo focuses on the health of your heart and blood vessels. It includes checkups, diagnostic tests, treatment for heart conditions and guidance on lifestyle habits that support heart wellness. A cardiology clinic provides compassionate care for conditions such as chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure.

Our electrophysiologists use the most advanced technology and procedures available to detect, diagnose and treat arrhythmias. Electrophysiology is the cardiology specialty that diagnoses and treats problems of the heart’s electrical system, including heart rhythm disturbances. Typically, arrhythmias are treated and controlled by medication, implanted heart devices and surgical procedures.

Interventional cardiologists are fellowship-trained physicians who provide a comprehensive array of interventional treatments for a variety of cardiovascular conditions. 

Interventional procedures are typically minimally invasive, catheter-based treatments used to treat both cardiac and vascular conditions throughout the body. Compared to more invasive procedures, minimally invasive procedures typically lead to quicker and easier recoveries.

We treat a variety of conditions at Dignity Health Cardiology & Specialty Care in San Luis Obispo, including:

• Aneurysm
• Aortic valve stenosis
• Atherosclerosis
• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial septal defect
• Bradycardia
• Carotid artery disease
• Chronic venous (vein) disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Coronary artery fistula
• Heart attack
• Heart valve disease
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Long QT syndrome
• Peripheral artery disease
• Sudden cardiac arrest
• Supraventricular tachycardia
• Tachycardia
• Thromboembolic disease (blood clots)
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Ventricular septal defect
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
• Other arrhythmias

Your body may show signs of heart problems over time. Contact a cardiologist for guidance if you experience symptoms including:

• Chest pressure or discomfort

• Heartbeat changes, such as fluttering or racing

• Shortness of breath

• Swelling in the legs or feet

• Unexplained fatigue

Some of these symptoms can also be signs of a heart attack. If you believe you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

During your cardiology visit, your provider will review your symptoms, medical history and overall health. They may check your vital signs, listen to your heart and recommend tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) or ultrasound imaging. The visit provides a supportive space to understand your heart health and create a plan for your care.

Whether you need a referral to see a cardiologist depends on your insurance plan. Many insurance plans allow you to schedule directly with a specialist at our cardiology clinic. Other plans may require a referral from your primary care provider (PCP). Your insurance provider can help confirm what your plan allows if you’re unsure.

Small choices can make a big difference in your heart health. Lifestyle changes that can improve your health and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease include:

• Eating well and maintaining a healthy weight — Our physicians and cardiologists can help create eating habits that include the right foods to improve and maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing a few pounds can relieve stress on your heart and lower your blood pressure.
• Reducing stress — High levels of cortisol from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar and blood pressure. These are all common risk factors for heart disease. Learning stress management techniques such as guided meditation, deep breathing, walking and connecting with others can help reduce stress.
• Exercising regularly — People who have had heart attacks may increase their chances of survival if they change their habits to include regular physical activity. Exercise can help control blood fats and blood glucose, maintain weight and lower blood pressure.
• Not smoking — Tobacco use lowers your level of good cholesterol, raises your blood pressure and promotes clotting. 
• Control your cholesterol — Most heart disease results from cholesterol-rich, fatty buildup that narrows the vessels that supply blood to your heart. 
• Controlling high blood pressure — High blood pressure damages arteries, setting the stage for plaque formation. It also increases the stress on the heart muscle, which may cause damage to the organ.

We typically recommend bariatric surgery for people who have not achieved lasting results with diet and exercise alone. You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you:

• Weigh more than 100 pounds over your ideal body weight

• Are ready to make a lifelong commitment to diet, exercise and behavioral changes

• Don’t have mental or behavioral disorders that may interfere with long-term weight loss

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (35 or higher along with certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea)

• Have tried multiple weight loss programs without lasting success