Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) describes the hardening and narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It is also known as coronary heart disease (CHD), heart disease, and ischemic heart disease.
Other types of heart disease include:
Treatment Options Available at Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Heart Centers
At Hawaiʻi Pacific Health's Heart Centers, we offer specialized, advanced treatments to address various heart disease conditions.
Interventional Cardiology and Catheterization
Using cardiac catheterization, our Heart Centers teams are able to treat heart problems such as atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, heart failure, and heart valve disease through minimally invasive techniques.
We are able to provide interventions such as:
- Closing heart defects and holes in the heart
- Opening or replacing narrowed heart valves
- Placing stents in narrowed vessels
These minimally invasive treatments offer shorter hospital stays and speedier recovery times compared with open-heart surgeries. Care pathways standardize preprocedural evaluation, anesthesia, and post-procedure follow-up for safety and consistency.
We perform these procedures in our state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs at Kapiʻolani, Pali Momi, and Straub Benioff medical centers.
For complex anatomy, we collaborate with our Surgery and Imaging teams to choose the right therapy at the right time.
Advanced Imaging Services
Advanced cardiac imaging offers detailed views to guide diagnosis and treatment. We provide transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (including 3D), cardiac MRI for tissue characterization and flow quantification, and cardiac CT for precise anatomical mapping when necessary.
Our imaging protocols limit radiation and sedation needs whenever possible. We review results with multidisciplinary teams to align imaging findings with surgical or catheterization strategies.
Families receive clear explanations. Sometimes annotated images are included to support understanding and shared decisions.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Stories of Hope
One moment Wendy Yamada was powering through her workout. Then, everything changed. Despite leading a healthy, active life, Wendy experienced cardiac arrest. Discover how the extraordinary, coordinated teamwork from Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Straub Benioff Medical Center turned a terrifying emergency into an incredible story of survival.