St. Mary's 64-slice CT scanner is the only kind of CT scanner available today fast enough to capture detailed 3-D images of the heart between beats. With these images, physicians can diagnose potential blockages in coronary arteries, study valve and chamber structure, assess pumping efficiency and measure ejection fraction. CT studies are fast and non-invasive, usually lasting just a few minutes.

Many heart failure patients suffer from cardiac arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms. With St. Mary's EP laboratory on site, most arrhythmias can be diagnosed and treated right here in Athens at St. Mary’s Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Laboratory.

In the event of a heart attack or coronary blockage, interventional cardiology services, including emergency and non-emergent angioplasty and stenting, are performed at St. Mary's Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Laboratory.

Coumadin, also known as Warfarin, is a drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming and blocking arteries in the heart, brain or other organs. Patients taking Coumadin receive fast, convenient monitoring at St. Mary's Laboratory. Call (706) 389-2389 for the clinic's operating hours.

Several types of cardiac devices can be implanted at St. Mary's to improve heart function and return the heart to a normal rhythm. Broadly, these devices fall into three types. All can be at St. Mary’s Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Laboratory right here in Athens.

St. Mary's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program helps people prevent and recover from heart problems by promoting healthy lifestyles. The program features education, exercise, dietary changes and other lifestyle improvements, with care provided by specially trained personnel. For more information call (706) 389-3355.

St. Mary's Wellness Center provides a full range of exercise classes and equipment to help people of all ages and medical conditions improve and maintain their strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. The center is conveniently located at 2470 Daniells Bridge Road just off Ga. 316 near the Athens Perimeter. For more information, call (706) 389-3355.

When you need extra reassurance and access to care in order to remain at home, St. Mary's Care Alert can provide help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the push of a button worn on a necklace or wrist band, subscribers can call for help anytime they need it. Care Alert dispatchers answer quickly and are trained to send the appropriate level of assistance, whether it's a family member or an ambulance. To find out more, call (706) 389-3296.

St. Mary's Home Health Care brings nursing, rehabilitation services, aides, social work assistance and more to your home. Multidisciplinary care is provided to help patients manage or recover from dozens of conditions, including stroke, heart failure, cancer and major surgery. For more information, call (706) 389-2273.

St. Mary's provides a full continuum of holistic care that aims to relieve suffering and optimize the quality of life for patients with chronic, debilitating or life-limiting illness and their families. Palliative Care Services are available to all patients regardless of their diagnosis, prognosis, or location within the hospital. For more information contact the Palliative Care Coordinator at 706-201-4675.

When patients near the end of life, St. Mary's Home Hospice provides a team of experienced, compassionate caregivers to reduce symptoms, ease anxiety and help the patient and family make the most of every remaining day. St. Mary's provides care in the patients' home and also operates the region's only inpatient Hospice House for those who are unable to remain at home or whose families need time off from giving care. For more information, call (706) 389-2273.