The Institute for
Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

The Institute for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery provides comprehensive prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of all types of heart disease. New York Methodist houses state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical facilities and the cardiac (heart) surgery team at the New York Methodist-Cornell Heart Center comes from the world-renowned Weill Cornell Medical Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

The Institute brings together a panel of specialists and a range of services in all areas related to heart disease. These services, which range from screening and diagnostic procedures to emergency and ongoing treatment for heart attacks and chronic heart disease, are provided at the Hospital’s specialized laboratories and clinical units, on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

The Institute’s staff of physicians includes specialists in all areas of cardiology (heart health), interventional cardiology (balloon angioplasty and stenting), electrophysiology (using electrical technology to measure and treat heart problems), and cardiac (heart) surgery. Referrals to these specialists or to cardiac programs and services available at New York Methodist Hospital can be made through an individual’s primary care physician or can be requested through the Institute’s referral service.

All of this allows patients to come to one place for all heart-related health needs. NYM treats heart attacks and heart conditions with expert specialists and advanced treatments but we go beyond that to connect patients to all forms of prevention and care to keep the heart healthy.

Physicians and other health care professionals affiliated with the Institute are also available to speak to community groups on a variety of topics related to heart disease prevention and treatment. Other community outreach activities of the Institute include the distribution of informational materials and screening programs. New York Methodist Hospital is a steering member of the Brooklyn Community Heart Health Council.

Chest Pain Emergency Center

Since many people who experience heart attack can recover with minimal permanent damage if they get appropriate emergency care, New York Methodist Hospital’s Emergency Department functions as a Chest Pain Emergency Center. The Department has the highly sophisticated equipment and medications necessary for the diagnosis and immediate treatment of emergency cardiac patients. The physicians and nurses are thoroughly trained in emergency medicine, coronary care and advanced life support. New York Methodist is an “EMS 911 Receiving Hospital,” and has also been designated an Emergency Heart Care Station by the American Heart Association.

Patients who go to the Emergency Room with chest pain should be sure to tell the triage nurse about their symptoms as soon as they arrive. Medications that can avert severe damage to the heart during the early stages of a heart attack are now available. However, patients do not have an optimum chance of surviving and returning to a normal life unless they are treated quickly.

Responding to chest pain as an early symptom of heart attack can literally mean the difference between life and death. Sometimes the pain is not severe and it is tempting to put off getting medical attention, especially if one is busy or preoccupied. People with chest pain may deny that they are in danger because they don’t feel ill, because they are embarrassed or because they are frightened. To prevent a potentially lethal incident, it is vital to recognize warning signs of a heart attack and to respond to them immediately.

If you are present when another individual complains of, or perhaps just mentions feeling chest pains, you must persuade that person to seek immediate medical attention by contacting a physician or going to a hospital emergency room. An immediate response — even at the risk of learning that the pains signaled a false alarm — is the key to averting death or serious damage to the heart.

Our services include advanced diagnostics (heart tests), interventional cardiology and electrophysiology (catheter and electric technology), and cardiothoracic surgery.

Referrals to specialists or to cardiac programs and services available at the Hospital can be made through a patient’s primary care physician or can be requested through the Institute's doctor referral service.

Find a physician affiliated with the Institute for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery here or call 1.866.84.HEART (866.844.3278).

Download the Institute’s brochure or request that a brochure be mailed to you.

To request educational speakers or other community participation from NYM relating to the Institute for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, or for more information, please visit the relevant Community Education and Programs pages and then contact the Department of Public Affairs with your request or inquiry.