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 Le Sueur area residents.

John E Bernhardson, MD, MBA, FACP

Desmond Jay, 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.

Cardiovascular consultations

The number one killer in the United States, cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels. Our experts can identify, treat and help you manage cardiac conditions.

Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

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

Holter monitoring

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

Also called nuclear ventriculography, this test uses safe, radioactive materials called tracers to show the heart chambers.

Peripheral vascular imaging

A noninvasive peripheral vascular exam measures blood pressure and blood flow using sound waves created by a device called a doppler. You will have a test done while you rest and while you exercise on a treadmill. This test helps tell if there are blockages in the leg arteries. This test takes about 30 minutes when looking at leg veins, and 45 minutes or longer when looking at the leg arteries.

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.

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.