CARDIOLOGY

In the past few years, we’ve placed a renewed focus on surveying our community to learn more about the success of the services we offer, services that need expanded or added, and how we can evolve to meet your needs. One of the recommendations that frequently comes up is the need for most access to cardiologic care. Currently, we host representatives from the Iowa Heart Center in the DCH Outpatient Clinic twice each month.

Due to the feedback from our community, we’re evolving to meet your needs. Starting July 21, 2023 we’re expanding access to cardiologic care for patients in our region by adding available appointments with a provider who is board-certified in both and internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

As an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Mehta will work with patients who live with: atrial fibrillation, post-cardiac event symptoms, abnormal heart rhythms, structural heart disease, congenital heart issues, peripheral artery disease, chronic venous disease, valve stenosis, and more. Dr. Mehta will visit the DCH Outpatient Clinic in person twice each month. We are currently accepting new patients for this service. Call 641-446-2285 to schedule your appointment. Depending on your insurance, you likely do not need a referral to see Dr. Mehta.

PROVIDERS

Steven Mehta, MD, Cardiologist

Steven Mehta, MD

Dr. Steven Mehta grew up in Ohio, where he graduated from Kent State University and completed medical school and residency at the Northeastern Ohio Medical University. Following residency, Dr. Mehta completed his fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Louisville, and completed specialized training in Interventional Cardiology at the Arizona Heart Institute. He is double Board Certified and has served in leadership capacities at many medical facilities including as Director of Cardiovascular Intervention, Chief of Medical Staff, Trustee of the Hospital Board of Directors, Chief Medical Officer, Governor of the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, and has been named one of Phoenix Magazine’s “Top Docs.”

Ernesto Cruz, MD, Cardiologist

Ernesto Cruz, MD

Dr. Cruz has developed his expertise during two cardiology fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco; and Valley Medical Center in Fresno, California. Prior to that, Dr. Cruz undertook multiple internal medicine residencies. He studied at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona and at the Saint Raphael campus of Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. He earned his medical degree from the University of the East in Quezon City, Philippines. Dr. Cruz is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiology and is affiliated with the American College of Cardiology. 

At Decatur County Hospital we believe in striving to exceed the expectations of our patients, their families, and our community. Our mission is to deliver exceptional care close to home, with a vision to enhance lives and improve health. We are dedicated to providing you with the best care and we continue to expand our services to continue to exceed those expectations.

DCH recently expanded access to cardiologic care for patients in our region by adding available appointments with a provider who is board-certified in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

As an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Steven Mehta, MD, works with patients who live with: atrial fibrillation, post-cardiac event symptoms, abnormal heart rhythms, structural heart disease, congenital heart issues, peripheral artery disease, chronic venous disease, valve stenosis, and more. Dr. Mehta visits the DCH Outpatient Clinic in person twice each month, and we are currently accepting new patients for this service. Don’t miss a beat, call 641-446-2285 to schedule your appointment today.

As technology continues to change and improve, so does the availability of services and equipment  offered at DCH. We will soon offer the testing technology of the Holter monitor. The Holter monitor is a type of portable electrocardiogram (ECG). It records the electrical activity of the heart continuously over twenty-four (24) hours or longer while you are away from the doctor’s office. It is a painless device that is around the size of a cellphone. It can be worn over your shoulder, around your neck, in a pocket, or attached to a belt, and it remains on you for the duration of the test.

A Holter monitor is typically used when there is an indication of an irregular heartbeat or other heart related issues. An irregular heartbeat can indicate a serious health condition which can lead to complications such as a heart attack or stroke. If you have a health concern or are exhibiting unusual symptoms, get the help you need – close to home – at Decatur County Hospital.

New Cardiology Testing Services at Decatur County Hospital

holter monitor copy (1)
Iowa Heart Center Logo

In addition to on-site visits with Dr. Mehta twice each month, on the 1st Friday of each month Sandy Hall, ARNP, will be available for telehealth cardiology appointments.

Patients who utilize this service will continue to visit the DCH Outpatient Clinic in person, and our staff will seamlessly connect them with Sandy using a video conference connection.

On-site cardiac equipment will allow our staff to partner with Sandy to gather cardiac data, and transmit that information to inform health care decisions.

One important factor in continued cardiac care is the management of implanted devices. It is important to check these devices, and ensure they are in proper working order to protect your heart. Every other month, a nurse from the Iowa Heart Center visits the DCH Outpatient Clinic to check and maintain the following cardiology devices:

  • Medtronic (carelink)
  • Abott/SJM (Merlin)
  • Boston Scientific (Latitude)
  • Biotronik

To schedule your cardiology appointment, call the DCH Outpatient Clinic at 641-446-2285.

PROVIDERS

Sandy Hall, ARNP, Cardiology

SANDY HALL, ARNP

Sandy Hall, ARNP, grew up in Greenfield, IA and joined Iowa Heart Center in 2007 as a Heart Failure Case Manager. She then became an ARNP in September of 2016.

Sandy received her RN diploma from the Mercy School of Nursing then received her BSN from the Mercy College of Health Sciences in 2002. In May of 2016, she received her Masters in Nursing as an ARNP from the University of North Dakota.

Are you interested in determining your heart risk? Use this online tool to calculate your heart risk by answering simple questions about your health. This tool use the ASCVD algorithm published in the 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk. This is a tool created by an entity outside of Decatur County Hospital.

I’M INTERESTED IN CARDIOLOGY SERVICES

Please note: submissions to this form are monitored during regular business hours. This form is NOT intended for emergency correspondence. If this is an emergency, please call your doctor, dial 9-1-1, or go to the nearest emergency department.

UPCOMING CARDIOLOGY CLINICS

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