American College of Cardiology re-awarded accreditation, noting outstanding care for heart attack patients

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center for its expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center was recently re-awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI based on a thorough onsite review of teammates’ ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. The accreditation lasts through April 2028.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 805,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. Other heart attack symptoms include tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck, or jaw. Individuals may also experience shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, a heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness or fainting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a minimally invasive procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

“We are extremely proud of our team at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center for their continued dedication to our patients, working around the clock to provide high-quality care when patients need it most,” said Dr. Sanford G. Duke, chief clinical officer for Atrium Health Navicent. “This designation truly reflects Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center’s continued commitment to excellence in emergency cardiac care right here in central Georgia.”

Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center recently celebrated several milestones in care for heart patients.

After becoming one of the first hospitals in the region to implement the use of the Watchman device for patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) in 2018, in 2024 Atrium Health Navicent celebrated the facility’s 500th Watchman procedure last year. Also in 2024, Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center became the first health system in central Georgia to perform a Barostim implant in a heart failure patient. The implant stimulates natural sensors in the body that tell the nervous system how to regulate heart function and helps to relieve symptoms of heart failure by reducing the heart’s workload and improving the heart’s pumping efficiency.

Last summer, Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center became the only hospital in central Georgia to offer FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation for the treatment of AFib. The FARAPULSE system is a new alternative to traditional thermal ablation, which is commonly used to treat patients with AFib. Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center is also one of only two hospitals south of Atlanta to offer Transaortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). This non-surgical procedure allows a crimped-down valve to be inserted through a tube into the heart to replace a failing aortic valve.

For more information about procedures and services for heart patients, call Atrium Health Navicent Heart and Vascular Care at 478-743-9762.