Cardiologists are doctors who identify, treat and help you manage conditions like angina, heart attack, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke.

These cardiologists from Minneapolis Heart Institute® bring heart health care to Aitkin area residents.

Timothy G. Dirks, MD

James A. Furda, MD

Rebecca Heimark, PA

Lise Lunde, NP

James D. Madison, MD, FACC

Peter Stokman, MD

Angina

Angina is chest pain caused by poor blood flow through the blood vessels of the heart muscle.

Learn more about angina in our health encyclopedia or heart health manual.

Heart attack

Heart attack happens when an artery that feeds your heart muscle becomes blocked with plaque (fatty deposits) or by a clot. When the blood cannot flow to the heart, damage or death to the heart muscle may occur.

Learn more about heart attack in our heart health manual.

Heart rhythm problems

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat or rhythm. There are many kinds.

Learn more about heart rhythm problems in our heart health manual.

High blood pressure

Blood pressure is the amount of pressure within the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure is increased pressure against artery walls.

Learn more about high blood pressure in our heart health manual.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when plaque clogs the arteries in your legs, reducing blood flow to your legs and feet.

Learn more about PAD in our heart health manual.

Stroke

A stroke results when blood and oxygen flow to the brain is stopped or interrupted. This happens because of a ruptured or blocked blood vessel.

Learn more in our stroke manual.

Do you need a physician referral for any or all of these services? If so, do patients need certain documentation?

Cardiac device clinic: Pacemaker and ICD follow-up program

If a pacemaker or ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) helps to regulate your heartbeat, we can help you make sure your cardiac device is working properly. Our experts can evaluate your cardiac device and adjust settings so that you benefit the most.

Cardiac perfusion scan (heart blood flow test)

This test goes beyond the traditional exercise stress test by producing images of the heart's blood flow at rest and during exercise.

Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart.

Exercise stress test

An exercise stress test is a screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart. It provides an overall look at the health of your heart.

Nuclear Cardiology (heart function test)

Nuclear cardiology tests can determine if areas of the heart muscle are receiving good or poor blood supply.

Stress echocardiogram

Stress echocardiography is a test that uses ultrasound imaging to determine how the heart muscles respond to stress. It is mainly used to diagnose and evaluate coronary artery disease.

Holter/Event monitoring

This type of monitor will record your heart rhythm during your everyday activities. For this test, you will wear a portable EKG machine. You will have the monitor for 24 or 48 hours.

Pacemaker

When you have a rhythm problem with your heart (usually when it beats too slowly or if both sides of your heart don't beat together), you may need a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a medical device that can help your heart beat regularly.

Learn more about pacemakers in our heart health manual.

ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator)

If your heart is beating too fast or irregularly, your doctor may decide that you need a device that gives your heart an electrical shock to restore your heart to a regular rhythm. This device is called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Learn more about ICDs in our heart health manual.