Sarvanand Heart & Brain Center - Dignity Health - Memorial Hospital

The Sarvanand Heart & Brain Center at Dignity Health – Memorial Hospital provides advanced treatment for a wide range of heart and vascular conditions, including congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, heart attack and stroke. We use advanced diagnostic tools, minimally invasive procedures and surgical techniques, including:

• Aortic valve replacement surgery

• Cardiac rehabilitation

• Cardiac rhythm devices, such as a leadless pacemaker

• Catheter ablation

• Coronary angioplasty

• Coronary artery bypass surgery

• Coronary stents

• Cryoablation

• Electrophysiology for heart rhythm problems

• Emergency care for stroke and heart concerns

• Heart bypass surgery

• General heart surgery

• Heart valve surgery

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (T-ICD) placement

• Maze procedure

• Minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery

• Mitral valve replacement surgery

• Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure

• Radiology and imaging services for early detection and screening

• Robot-assisted surgery

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

• Transcatheter repair surgery for mitral valve conditions

• Ventricular assist device (VAD) placement

• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

Memorial Hospital is also home to Kern County’s only cardiac intensive care unit (ICU).

Our heart and vascular team cares for patients with a wide range of common and complex cardiovascular conditions, including:

• Angina
• Aortic aneurysm
• Arrhythmias
• Atrial fibrillation
• Atherosclerosis
• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiomyopathy
• Carotid artery disease
• Chronic total occlusions
• Congenital heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Endocarditis
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Heart valve disease
• High blood pressure
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Pericarditis
• Peripheral artery disease
• Renal artery stenosis
• Venous problems, such as varicose veins

We deliver comprehensive heart care services, including: 

• Advanced cardiac imaging
• Angiography services for complex vascular and neurological cases
• Cardiac catheterization lab services
• Cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) services
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Electrophysiology lab services to treat heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
• Minimally invasive treatments, including valve repairs and replacements
• Preventive care
• Specialized services from our structural heart team to diagnose and treat diseases or defects of the heart’s valves, chambers and major vessels
• Telemetry services

Our specialists use advanced imaging, technology and minimally invasive techniques to perform procedures, such as:

• Left atrial appendage closure to help reduce stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib)

• Nonsurgical procedures to remove cardiac clots

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat narrowing of the coronary arteries

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to repair aortic stenosis

• Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), a minimally invasive technique to treat a leaky mitral valve

We offer advanced heart imaging and diagnostic tests to help evaluate heart structure, function and blood flow. These tests help our specialists diagnose heart conditions and guide treatment planning for conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), cardiac clots, narrowing of the coronary arteries and aortic stenosis.

Based on your needs, your care team may include several heart and vascular specialists. The team works closely with you and your family to guide care and support long-term health.

Your care team may include:

• Cardiac electrophysiologists

• Cardiac rehabilitation specialists

• Cardiologists

• Cardiothoracic surgeons

• Interventional cardiologists

• Radiologists

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your primary care provider (PCP) or a cardiologist for guidance. If symptoms are severe, or if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room:

• Chest pressure or discomfort

• Heartbeat changes, such as fluttering or racing

• Shortness of breath

• Swelling in the legs or feet

• Unexplained fatigue

Knowing your heart disease risk can help you take steps to support your heart health. Start with your primary care provider (PCP) for an initial assessment. They may evaluate factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking history and family history, and recommend tests such as blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, or an electrocardiogram (EKG). 

You can also complete our online heart health questionnaire to learn more. Simply answer a few questions about your health history and lifestyle to receive personalized insights about your potential risk factors for heart disease. These insights are designed to support conversations with your health care provider about heart health and preventive care.

Take our heart health questionnaire

Stroke risk is influenced by a range of factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart conditions and family history. Your health care provider can review these risk factors, discuss your symptoms and medical history, and recommend screenings or tests that may help evaluate your risk. Understanding your personal risk factors can help you make informed decisions about your health and when to seek care.

You can also complete our online stroke risk questionnaire, which guides you through a few simple questions and provides personalized insights based on your responses to help inform a conversation with your health care provider about whether additional screening may be appropriate.

Complete our stroke risk questionnaire

Whether you need a referral to see a cardiologist depends on your health insurance plan. Many insurance plans allow you to schedule directly with a specialist. 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.

You can also use our Find a Doctor tool to find a primary care provider.

Heart disease happens when fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the coronary arteries of your heart. This buildup can reduce blood flow, which can result in common warning signs, such as:

1. Chest discomfort
2. Fatigue or weakness
3. Irregular or rapid heartbeat
4. Shortness of breath
5. Swelling in the legs or feet

If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be helpful to schedule an appointment with our cardiologists for support.