Comprehensive Cardiac Services

Northern Nevada Medical Center provides comprehensive cardiac services to residents of Sparks, Reno and surrounding areas of northern Nevada. Our services range from hospital-based care, an established Heart Failure Program and Outpatient Cardiology, as well as Heart and Lung Surgery at Sierra Medical Center. 

Heart Attack Care

Northern Nevada Medical Center is certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Heart Attack Center, which signifies the facility’s ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients who may be having a heart attack. Northern Nevada Medical Center has demonstrated that it has effective processes in place to:

  • Reduce the time it takes for patients to progress from the onset of symptoms to the time they receive diagnosis and treatment.
  • Craft an individualized care plan based on the patient’s assessed needs.
  • Provide 24/7 care for those who may be experiencing a heart attack.

Learn more about the warning signs of a possible heart attack and act upon them, before heart damage occurs. Remember, when in doubt, call 9-1-1!

Who Is at Risk of Heart Disease?

Risk factors for heart disease include:

  • High blood cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Physical inactivity
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Genetic history of heart disease
  • Heavy use of tobacco products and/or alcohol

Signs of a Heart Attack

If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1. Symptoms can include:

  • Chest pain
  • Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or upper belly
  • Cold sweat
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea

How to Diagnose Heart Disease

There are various tests that can be used to diagnose heart disease. In addition to blood tests and a chest x-ray, diagnostic tests can include:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An EKG records the electrical signals in your heart to determine if the heart is beating too fast or too slowly.
  • Echocardiogram: A sound wave is used to develop images showing how blood moves through the heart and heart valves.
  • Stress tests: Patients are asked to perform physical activities while the heart is monitored to observe how to heart responds to physical exertion.
  • Heart CT scan: A 360 degree x-ray is taken of your chest to collect images of your heart.
  • Heart MRI scan: A magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves are use to create images of the heart.

Cardiovascular Programs and Services

National Recognition for Heart Care

Get with the guidelines heart failure emblemNNMC earned the 2024 Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus – Heart Failure Honor Roll and Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus – Target: Type 2 Diabetes awards. The Heart Failure Honor Roll was awarded by demonstrating 75% compliance for 24 consecutive months for required measures. The Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll was awarded for achieving 75% compliance for 24 consecutive months for measures including post-discharge appointment for heart failure patients with diabetes and smoking cessation for patients with diabetes.

NNMC earned the Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI – Gold award by achieving a score of 85% or greater for two consecutive calendar years. Award requirements include providing a patient with cardiac rehab referral from an inpatient setting and smoking cessation counseling, and the evaluation of the left ventricular systolic functions.

Hands-Only CPR Saves Lives

Learn How to Perform Hands-Only CPR

Cardiovascular Resources

Get a Physician Referral

If you need a referral to a physician at Northern Nevada Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 775-356-6662.