The cardiac PET scanner at Georgia Heart Institute in Blairsville provides high-resolution images that help cardiologists develop treatment plans for patients with blockages in their arteries and other heart conditions.
People in the North Georgia mountains seeking health care for their hearts can now access advanced cardiac imaging services close to home – without traveling to Atlanta or Gainesville. Georgia Heart Institute, the comprehensive heart and vascular service line of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), recently installed the region’s first and only cardiac PET machine at its clinic in Blairsville.
“Having a cardiac PET scanner close to home at Georgia Heart Institute is a huge win for the people of Blairsville and the surrounding region,” said Megan Smith, DO, FACC, a Georgia Heart Institute cardiologist and Blairsville resident. “Now, we can provide all the lab tests and imaging studies you need, right here in Blairsville. By bringing this technology to our community, we are removing barriers that prevent people from getting the health care they need.”
For patients who have blockages in the blood vessels of their heart because of plaque buildup, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan helps their cardiologist decide on the best treatment plan. The high-resolution images show how severe blockages are and how much they are restricting blood flow to the rest of the body. A PET scan also can show how well the heart is working after a procedure or surgery. The cardiac PET machine can also perform stress tests that show how well a patient’s heart functions under exertion.
The new cardiac PET machine in Blairsville represents a significant investment by NGHS and Georgia Heart Institute in one of the rural communities it serves. The project was funded in part by generous donations to the NGHS Foundation, the health system’s fundraising arm. Those donors are:
- Wilheit Family Foundation
- Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Jones III.
- Starlet Rhodes Jones Foundation
- Vulcan Materials Company Foundation
- Two donors who chose to give anonymously
“The NGHS Foundation thanks the community members who generously supported Georgia Heart Institute’s work to bring advanced cardiac imaging services to Blairsville,” said Chris Bray, chief development officer and president of the NGHS Foundation. “This project is another example of NGHS meeting people where they are and improving access to health care resources for all the communities we serve.”
Georgia Heart Institute’s Blairsville clinic is located at 346 Deep South Farm Rd., Suite B, behind North Georgia Family Medicine. Patients do not need a referral to make an appointment with a cardiology specialist. To schedule an appointment, call 706-835-1914 or go to georgiaheartinstitute.org/blairsville.
About Georgia Heart Institute
Georgia Heart Institute is the most forward-thinking heart and vascular program in the state and includes one of the largest cardiology practices in the region, including more than 120 clinicians seeing patients at more than a dozen locations. With a multi-disciplinary team of experts treating nearly every type of heart and vascular disease and participating in leading national research, we’re providing advanced care that ensures lasting heart health for generations. Request an appointment and learn more at georgiaheartinstitute.org.
The experts of Georgia Heart Institute also form the core of the cardiac care team at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s five hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest. It’s all part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit which serves more than 1 million people across the region. Learn more at nghs.com.