Business Details
45 Years
experience
Louisiana Heart Center: Comprehensive Cardiac Care Experts
Founded in 1981, Louisiana Heart Center has grown from a single-practitioner cardiology office into a comprehensive cardiac care network serving Louisiana communities. Our team of cardiologists and over 60 employees provide interventional cardiology, diagnostic testing, and treatment for heart conditions while maintaining a patient-centered approach. We offer advanced services including nuclear stress tests, cardiac catheterization, and diagnostic imaging through hospital affiliations. After Hurricane Katrina's disruption, we rebuilt operations across four locationsCovington, Hammond, Slidell, and Bogalusawhile preserving our core value of personalized care.Our physicians, including notable practitioners like Dr. Umesh Patel (Dysautonomia International's Doctor of the Year), combine expertise in cardiovascular diseases with advocacy for navigating healthcare systems. Affiliated with multiple hospitals, we deliver both in-office diagnostics and life-saving interventions while emphasizing preventive medicine and patient education.
Services
Interventional Cardiology
Diagnostic Testing
Echocardiography
Nuclear Cardiology
Cardiac PET Scan
CPET Testing
Pacemaker Services
Holter Monitoring
Stress Testing
Preventive Cardiology
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of specialized cardiology experience since 1981.
- Our team includes Dysautonomia International's Doctor of the Year recipient.
- We offer advanced diagnostics including nuclear stress testing and CPET.
- We provide coordinated care across four convenient Louisiana locations.
- Our patient advocacy approach helps navigate healthcare insurance complexities.
Services
Interventional Cardiology
Louisiana Heart Center specializes in minimally invasive heart procedures performed by board-certified interventional cardiologists. We offer angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy, and cardiac catheterization to treat coronary artery disease and vascular conditions. Our services include post-procedure care coordination with hospital partners for pacemaker implantation and complex interventions.
Diagnostic Testing
Our diagnostic suite includes echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, CPET, and Holter monitoring. These non-invasive tests assess heart function, detect arrhythmias, and measure blood flow using advanced imaging technologies. Patients receive comprehensive preparation instructions and timely result interpretations from our cardiology team.
Preventive Cardiology
We emphasize risk assessment and early detection through cholesterol management, blood pressure monitoring, and lifestyle counseling. Our preventive programs address modifiable risk factors for heart disease while maintaining continuity with acute cardiac care services when needed.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Post-cardiac event patients receive individualized rehabilitation plans combining monitored exercise, education, and psychological support. Our programs follow evidence-based guidelines to improve recovery outcomes and long-term heart health through structured follow-up care.
Arrhythmia Management
Specialists diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats using electrocardiography, event monitoring, and cardioversion procedures. We manage implantable devices like pacemakers and defibrillators while collaborating with electrophysiology specialists for complex rhythm disorders.
People
Bruce Iteld
Founding Cardiologist
Dr. Iteld established the practice in 1981 and led its evolution into Louisiana Heart Center. He specializes in coronary disease treatment and has directed clinical programs through post-Katrina rebuilding efforts while maintaining patient-centered care principles.
Morton Bernstein
Cardiologist
Dr. Bernstein has expanded cardiac services since the practice's early years. He focuses on comprehensive patient care strategies and currently leads clinical operations across multiple Louisiana Heart Center locations while maintaining active patient advocacy efforts.
Umesh Patel
Cardiologist
Recognized as Dysautonomia International's Doctor of the Year, Dr. Patel specializes in complex cardiac diagnostics and patient navigation. He contributes expertise in autonomic disorders and advanced cardiovascular testing protocols at Louisiana Heart Center.
Frank Voelker
Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Voelker performs advanced interventional procedures including stent placements and angioplasty. He brings specialized training in structural heart disease interventions and participates in clinical research initiatives through Louisiana Heart Center's research department.
Richard Coln
Cardiologist
Dr. Coln focuses on diagnostic cardiology and non-invasive testing. He directs the center's nuclear imaging programs and contributes to preventive cardiology initiatives while maintaining active patient care responsibilities across multiple clinic locations.
Questions
What cardiac services does Louisiana Heart Center offer?
We provide interventional cardiology, diagnostic testing, arrhythmia management, preventive cardiology, and cardiac rehabilitation services across four Louisiana locations.
How do I schedule a cardiac consultation?
Call (985) 649-2700 for Slidell appointments or contact your preferred location directly. New patients can book appointments online through our patient portal.
What diagnostic tests require special preparation?
Nuclear stress tests and CPET require fasting and medication adjustments. Specific instructions for attire, medications, and pre-test requirements accompany each scheduled diagnostic appointment.
Do you accept my insurance plan?
We participate with most major insurance providers. Contact our billing department at (985) 649-8460 for verification or consult our website's insurance information section.
What happens during a first cardiology visit?
Initial consultations include medical history review, EKG testing, physical examination, and personalized treatment recommendations. Patients should bring medication lists, medical records, and insurance information.
How do you coordinate hospital care?
Our physicians maintain affiliations with multiple hospitals for procedures requiring inpatient care. We coordinate admissions, communicate with hospital teams, and manage follow-up care post-discharge.
