At Kern Medical, we offer an advanced team approach to treating the heart. We make it our goal and mission not only to treat heart disease, but more importantly, to take preventative action to rehabilitate those who have significant heart disease risk factors. Our physicians, faculty, and dedicated team of professionals are committed to providing you with the best and most cutting-edge treatments, interventions, and evidence-based medicine.
When patients establish care with our Cardiology department, the patient and their family meet with one of our dedicated cardiovascular specialists. Our heart specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating patients with heart conditions, including many rare or complex disorders. Patients will partner with a team of doctors, nurses, and other caregivers focusing on heart health to create a personalized treatment plan for the patient. The Cardiology team also includes 2 of the only female cardiologists in the Central Valley. To provide the most comprehensive care possible, our cardiologists often collaborate with many other physicians throughout Kern Medical and Greater Kern County and throughout Southern California. Every patient at Kern Medical has access to state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities.
We know the science of medicine is consistently changing, and our heart experts are continually learning and exploring new ways to improve how we diagnose and treat all our patients. That’s why, at our heart center, we practice guideline-derived and evidence-based medicine. We also keep the whole-body approach in mind when treating both common cardiac issues as well as highly complex cardiac diseases.
Kern Medical Cardiology is part of the Kern Medical system, with offices at Mount Vernon and Truxtun locations. We continue to pioneer treatments that advance cardiovascular research and clinical care for people everywhere. The physicians at Kern Medical have faculty appointments at the UCLA Department of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, with more than 500,000 people dying of heart disease every year. The causes of death from cardiovascular disease include heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. To meet the needs of our patients at Kern Medical, we offer a variety of cardiology services to bring our patients back to optimal health.
Heart attacks often seem unexpected, but the warning signs are there. If you experience any of these symptoms, act fast. Visit your doctor for regular checkups to help maintain your cardiovascular health.
Chest discomfort is the most common symptom of heart attack among both men and women. This feeling usually lasts longer than a few minutes but can disappear and reappear later. You may experience uncomfortable pressure that can be described as an elephant sitting on top of your chest. Unfortunately, because most of these symptoms are ones not typically associated with heart attacks, they are often missed or misunderstood. You may also feel discomfort in other areas of the upper body, like in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. This pain may feel less severe, but it’s just as telling.
Women are more likely to experience a combination of symptoms prior to suffering a heart attack. This complex set of symptoms usually aren’t common in men, including nausea, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. While these signs are less common, it’s important to remember them because in conjunction with other symptoms, they may help you recognize that you’re having a heart attack – particularly if you are a woman.