For decades, West Tennessee Healthcare Heart & Vascular has built something truly special. It is a comprehensive, nationally recognized heart and vascular program delivering advanced care right here at home.
From its earliest beginnings, cardiac care in West Tennessee has grown alongside the communities it serves. Cardiac rehabilitation began in 1980, making it the oldest program of its kind in Tennessee.
The Cath Lab followed soon after, with cardiovascular surgery launching in 1983, when the first open-heart surgery was performed locally.
Today, that legacy continues through a fully integrated Heart & Vascular program providing care that stands shoulder to shoulder with the largest medical centers in the region.
Each year, the team performs tens of thousands of diagnostic and lifesaving procedures, including echocardiograms, EKGs, cardiac catheterizations, pacemaker placements, and advanced interventional treatments. Just as important, patients have access to the same advanced technology and equipment found in major urban hospitals. From the Cath Lab to advanced imaging and device therapy, the tools needed to diagnose and treat heart and vascular disease are already here.
“We have everything right here that patients would expect to find in Memphis or Nashville,” said Dallas Griggs, Executive Director of West Tennessee Healthcare Heart & Vascular. “There is no reason for families to have to leave home for heart care. The technology is here. The expertise is here. And most importantly, the care is here.”
What truly sets West Tennessee Healthcare Heart & Vascular apart is quality. The program follows best practices set by the American College of Cardiology and participates in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, one of the largest cardiovascular data systems in the country. Every procedure is tracked and measured against national benchmarks, helping ensure patients receive care that meets the highest standards.
That commitment has earned the program multiple national distinctions, including Heart Care Center Accreditation, Chest Pain Center Accreditation, Cath Lab Accreditation, and recognition for excellence in cardiac rehabilitation. The cardiovascular surgery program has achieved a three-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, placing it among a small group of hospitals nationwide to reach that level.
The program has also been recognized for its outcomes in heart attack care, vascular surgery, and heart failure treatment, with several top-tier performance awards.
In August 2024, the program took another important step forward by bringing cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiovascular surgery, and vascular surgery together in one centralized Medical Office Building location.
Having these services under one roof makes it easier for patients to coordinate care, reduces travel, and creates a smoother experience, especially for those managing ongoing heart or vascular conditions.
Access to care matters, especially in rural communities. Another important part of that access is how quickly patients can move through the system when every minute counts.
All acute coronary syndrome patients across the West Tennessee Healthcare system are part of an “auto-accept” process at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. This means when a patient is having a serious heart event at one of our community hospitals, including Dyersburg, Milan, Bolivar, Camden, or Martin, the transfer is approved immediately without waiting on extra phone calls or case-by-case reviews.
The goal is simple: remove delays, move faster, and get patients to the right level of care as quickly as possible. In heart care, time matters, and this streamlined process helps make sure patients get lifesaving treatment without losing precious minutes.
West Tennessee Healthcare Heart & Vascular provides cardiology coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. New telemedicine cardiology services have also expanded access across the region, helping community hospitals connect patients to specialty care faster and closer to home.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and quality professionals works every day to review outcomes, improve care, and keep patients safe. Their work means families can stay close to home during some of the most important moments of their lives, surrounded by the people who matter most and cared for by a team they trust.
At the end of the day, patients come first. There is no need to leave West Tennessee for heart care when advanced treatment, modern technology, and proven expertise are available close to home.
If you or someone you love needs heart or vascular care, start close to home. Talk with your primary care provider about a referral to West Tennessee Healthcare Heart & Vascular, or visit wth.org to learn more about services, locations, and specialists serving our communities.
