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Heart Care (Cardiology)

A strong and healthy heart is central to your well-being. When you come to Astera Health with questions or concerns, your heart health is in good hands. We have teamed up with top-ranked CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center to provide heart care close to home.

What Is Cardiology?

Cardiology is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels). If you live in Central Minnesota, Astera Health’s cardiology program is here for you. 

Our program is made possible through a partnership with CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center. As one of America’s leading heart care providers, CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center has a team of more than 60 cardiac providers. Through this partnership, you can access all these experts, with or without a referral from your family medicine provider. 

Reasons to seek heart care

Your heart journey begins at our not-for-profit clinic in Wadena. There, you consult with our heart specialists.  

A few reasons to consult a cardiologist at Astera Health – Wadena Clinic include: 

  • Experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythm, or dizziness 
  • Living with high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, or peripheral artery disease (PAD) 
  • Having a family history of heart disease or a personal history of smoking or kidney disease 
  • Planning to begin a new exercise program 
  • Living with preventable risk factors for heart disease, including being a smoker or having an inactive lifestyle. 

Minor heart issues may be diagnosed and treated at the clinic. If your heart requires more advanced care, transitioning to CentralCare Heart & Vascular Center is a seamless process. 

CONTACT US

To schedule a heart appointment with our cardiologists, please call: 218-631-7579

High-Quality Cardiology Care

CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center is one of the leading heart care providers in the nation. In an annual ranking by U.S. News & Report, CentraCare was ranked in the country’s top 50 for cardiology and heart surgery. With access to a team of over 60 providers, this partnership improves access to high-quality healthcare for patients in the Astera Health area. Expansive service offerings include heart surgery, electrophysiology, and a structural heart program. The CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center also offers the latest life-saving technologies, with a research department where patients have access to new drugs and therapies, such as 4D holograms and other imaging modalities.

Cardiology services

Through our partnership, Astera is proud to provide the following cardiology ​services: 

Caring for our patients is at the core of what we do here at Astera Health. It’s not just our purpose—it’s our privilege. If you’re ready to improve your health, please contact our heart doctors in Wadena today.

Learn about our dedicated providers:

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat. Having this condition increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular disease. We help manage or even correct this disease. 

Cardiac catheterization. By inserting a thin, flexible tube into a blood vessel that leads to the heart during cardiac catheterization, doctors can perform diagnostic tests and sometimes treat heart problems. 

Based on health history and symptoms, we test for cardiac problems. Our cardiologists then interpret the results and offer treatment advice. 

Diet plays an important part in heart health. Whether recovering from a heart event or heart surgery or wanting to protect against heart disease, patients learn how to protect their hearts through nutrition. 

In addition to performing all of the above cardiac diagnostic tests, we also provide expert interpretations of the results. Our cardiologists are highly experienced and qualified medical professionals, able to offer sensible advice on what treatments you should seek next.

This non-invasive test evaluates the heart’s chambers and valves using sound waves. An echo can uncover issues with heart function.

This records the heart’s electrical activities and reveals abnormal rhythms. EKGs sometimes detect heart muscle damage.

A portable, battery-operated EKG machine gets worn for 24 to 48 hours. The device monitors the heart as the patient goes about their daily life. Our providers then review and evaluate the results.

A small amount of radioactive intravenous (IV) dye helps an imaging machine show blood flow to the heart. Measurements may be taken while exercising or resting. Results reveal areas with poor blood flow or heart damage.

PAD is a circulatory problem caused by reduced blood flow to the limbs. Proper management decreases uncomfortable symptoms, slows disease progression, and decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

These ultrasound scans help identify blockages and blood clots in the arteries and veins. A Doppler ultrasound study, which evaluates blood flow in the blood vessels, is usually part of this exam.

Thom Dahle, MD

John Mahowald, MD

Wade Schmidt, MD

Joseph Nguyen, MD

Mark E Johnson, MD

Brian Stegman, MD

Yaga Saine, APRN, CNP

Benjamin Johnson, MD

Stephen Kidd MD

Stephen Kidd, MD

Seeking Heart Care

The heart is such an important part of living a happy and healthy life. That is why it is important to consult a cardiologist if:

  • You are inactive and plan to start an exercise routine
  • You experience chest pain
  • You have high blood pressure
  • You have a family history of heart disease
  • You have a history of high cholesterol
  • You have a history of smoking
  • You have chronic kidney disease
  • You have diabetes
  • You have shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness
  • You have peripheral arterial disease

Wondering if you could benefit from a cardiology consultation? Schedule an appointment with an Astera family medicine provider to find out.