Cardiology Services at Decatur County Hospital

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.

At DCH, we are dedicated to providing you with the best care and have 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. Mehta 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. In early 2024 we will add the in-house capability to diagnose and track the progression of heart disease, evaluate thyroid function, detect obstruction of the renal blood flow, locate cancerous tissue, evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the joints, and to find bone diseases and tumors, all with the addition of the specialized service of nuclear medicine being available on-site at Decatur County Hospital.

Our new machine, the NM 830 by GE, brings the diagnostic capability to enable reduction of dose or scan times by up to 25 percent, providing shorter, more tolerable exams for greater patient comfort. The technology of this equipment allows us to diagnose disease earlier and with the SwiftScan Planar and SwiftScan SPECT’s improved small lesion detectability.

With this technology on-site at Decatur County Hospital, it will allow for more appointment availability so that patients get the appropriate testing they need, with the comfort of being indoors, close to home, and without waiting weeks or even months for a diagnosis and a proper course of action to treat cancers or other illnesses.

In addition to nuclear medicine being available on-site at DCH, we also offer cardiac stress testing. If your health care provider suggests a cardiac stress test to assess your heart health, you don’t have to travel far from home to get results. At Decatur County Hospital, we provide stress testing in a caring and secure environment with an expert team.

Stress testing is a routine test that is done to help diagnose coronary artery disease, determine the cause of heart rhythm problems, guide cardiac treatment for new or chronic conditions, or to check your heart before surgery. The test provides your doctor with a look at how your heart works during physical activity, which can amplify problems with blood flow. Once these problems are diagnosed, you and your health care team can work together to develop a customized plan to address them.

At Decatur County Hospital, our stress testing takes place in a monitored setting, with a team of experts at your side. Our team includes a nurse, a provider (doctor or ARNP), and a nuclear medicine technician as needed. This team ensures that your test is performed safely and accurately. Once the results of your test are completed, the information is shared with your care team to develop a treatment plan, or further guide the next steps in your cardiac health journey.

A stress test can be an uncomfortable experience, but is a necessary tool to ensure your cardiac health is being addressed appropriately. The DCH stress test team will help ease your fears, and ensure you receive the best care possible from our compassionate employees. We have the specialists you need to provide the care you deserve.