A number of medical treatments can be used to manage valve disorders, depending on the severity of illness. Medications that improve the heart's ability to pump, regulate its rhythm, or reduce its workload are often helpful in alleviating symptoms. Antibiotics are also necessary before any procedure that may cause bleeding in order to reduce the chance for infective endocarditis, an infection that affects the valves. The experienced cardiologists at St. Joseph Hospital work with patients to identify the medications that would be most effective in managing symptoms and protecting the heart valves from further damage.
Other treatments include invasive procedures such as balloon valvuloplasty, which may be used to relieve stenosis, or narrowing, of the heart valves.
The St. Joseph Hospital's Cardiac Catheterization Lab has historically been referred to as one of the best in the region and is staffed by experienced and highly skilled physicians. Invasive cardiac services are provided in four procedure suites. Both pediatric and adult patients are served.