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Heart & Vascular Institute

Male cardiology patient running on top of the levee
Male cardiology patient running on top of the levee

Why choose Ochsner Health for your cardiology care?

At the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute, heart health isn’t just our specialty, it’s our mission. We know that a fulfilling life starts with a healthy heart, and our expert team is here to help you achieve your full potential. Ochsner Health experts in heart and vascular care are here for you across Louisiana in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Metairie, Kenner, Luling, Slidell, Hammond, Shreveport, Covington, Mandeville, Lafayette and Jennings. Services are also offered in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Whether you’re seeking to manage existing heart conditions or reduce your risk of heart disease, our cutting-edge cardiovascular services ensure you’re in the trusted hands of leaders in heart care. For decades, we have been at the forefront of heart and vascular care, shaping the future of cardiology with pioneering achievements like:

  • Performing the region’s first heart transplant in 1970.
  • Completing the first pediatric heart transplant and total artificial heart implant in the region.
  • Innovating groundbreaking techniques like minimally invasive atrial septal defect closure surgery.
  • Integrating wearable technology like smartwatches to manage high blood pressure.

From using digital technology to monitor blood pressure and performing the latest minimally invasive procedures in our cardiac catheterization laboratory to conducting research into all aspects of cardiovascular care, the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute remains committed to advancing patient care. Whether you’re looking to reduce your heart disease risk or require treatment for persistent cardiovascular issues, rest assured that your heart is under expert care at Ochsner Health.

At the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute, we care for patients with a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, including:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm — swelling in the aorta, one of the body’s major arteries
  • Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), including atrial fibrillation
  • Cardiogenic shock — a medical emergency due to insufficient blood flow to the brain and organs
  • Chronic total occlusion — complete blockage of an artery in the heart
  • Congenital heart disease — structural heart abnormalities that are present at birth
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Critical limb ischemia — significant blockages in arteries outside the heart
  • Heart disease and stroke risk factors, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and unhealthy cholesterol levels
  • Heart failure
  • Peripheral vascular disease (peripheral artery disease) — narrowing of blood vessels outside the heart, often in the legs
  • Pulmonary hypertension — high blood pressure affecting the lungs
  • Restenosis — narrowing of a heart artery previously treated with angioplasty or stenting
  • Structural heart disease, including diseases of the heart valves

To develop an effective treatment plan, we need an accurate diagnosis. That’s why we offer a variety of noninvasive diagnostic options, including:

  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Cardiac CT
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Echocardiogram
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Holter monitoring

Our team provides advanced cardiac treatment options, ranging from medications to complex surgeries. Our services include:

  • Heart transplants - One of the few centers in the United States to perform over 1,000 transplants
  • Management of high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels
  • Treatment for arrhythmias, including medications, implantable devices and surgery
  • Treatment for congenital heart disease in adults and children, including cardiac catheterization and surgery
  • Valve disease care, including a variety of surgical and minimally invasive treatments

Ochsner's consultative cardiology team is led by experienced, highly trained cardiologists, all with a wealth of experience second to none in the region. They use their knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive cardiovascular services. The consultative cardiology team at Ochsner:

  • Work closely with referring physicians to craft personalized care plans
  • Manage complex conditions, including congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease and hyperlipidemia.
  • Provide second opinions for difficult diagnoses.
  • Collaborate with oncology specialists in the Ochsner Cardio-Oncology Clinic to minimize heart risks during cancer treatment.

Consultative cardiology is a key component of the Ochsner Hypertension Digital Medicine Program. Patients with complicated and hard-to-treat hypertension often find the solutions they seek at Ochsner. This program utilizes advanced wireless technology to help patients manage and treat high blood pressure.

Providing top-notch heart care involves a team of experts working together to create personalized treatment plans for each patient. That's why at the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute we focus on having a variety of specialists and subspecialists collaborating to ensure the best care possible.

Our doctors work together at every step of your care journey, whether it's preventing heart issues, managing existing conditions, or handling complex cases that require surgery. Multidisciplinary care takes a variety of forms. In our approach to care, we have specialized clinics such as the Women’s Heart Clinic and Cardio-Oncology Clinic, that offer multispecialty care tailored to specific needs.

When you visit us with heart concerns, you'll often start by consulting with one of our clinical cardiologists. These doctors play a crucial role in coordinating your care, working with your primary physician, managing your heart health and referring you to specialists when needed.

Our depth of experience and expertise make the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute a leading destination for cardiovascular care, including heart transplants. We’re one of a small number of institutions in the U.S. to have performed more than 1,000 transplants. In addition, we’ve performed more than 2,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacements, and we have the region’s largest comprehensive center for management of arrhythmias.

  • U.S. News & World Report named Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans a “High Performing” hospital for 2024-2025 in Aortic Valve Surgery (AVR), Heart Bypass Surgery, Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treatment, Heart Attack and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.
  • The American College of Cardiology awarded the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute its Transcatheter Valve Certification and Electrophysiology Accreditation.

FAQs

Cardiovascular virtual visits are available when an in-person visit is not necessary.

Cardiologists diagnose and treat conditions that affect the heart. Vascular physicians diagnose and treat conditions of the blood vessels outside the heart.

Cardiologists can recommend a variety of healthy lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, following a heart-healthy eating plan, increasing physical activity, and getting to and maintaining a healthy weight. For some people, blood pressure medication may be necessary to supplement healthy lifestyle changes. Cardiologists can prescribe a variety of medicines to help treat high blood pressure.

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Map of Ochsner-affiliated facilities that provide services related to Heart & Vascular Institute

Heart & Vascular Institute Locations

Ochsner American Legion Hospital
1634 Elton Road
Jennings, LA 70546
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center
1214 Coolidge St.
Lafayette, LA 70503
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock
149 Drinkwater Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Health Center - Slidell Campus Bldg. 1
1850 Gause Blvd. East
Slidell, LA 70461
  • Monday – Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans
1514 Jefferson Highway
New Orleans, LA 70121
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Heart and Vascular Health Center - Hammond
16045 Doctors Blvd.
Hammond, LA 70403
  • Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ochsner Health Center - Luling
1057 Paul Maillard Road
Luling, LA 70070
Ochsner Health Center - Kenner
200 West Esplanade Ave.
Kenner, LA 70065
Ochsner Health Center - Metairie
2005 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70002
  • Mon: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Tues–Fri: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sat: 8 a.m.-11:45 a.m.