Deaths due to heart disease are 17 percent higher in Pettis and Benton Counties, which comprise the health center’s primary service area, than rest of nation. Residents of this area also have higher risk factors of smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

Bothwell treats more than 80 percent of immediate chest pain patients in Pettis and Benton Counties, yet cardiac catheterization lab availability for this area is below national average.

The health center has enhanced its cardiovascular capabilities in recent years with a new cardiac catheterization lab, a partnership with Dr. Henry Marquez and the Missouri Heart Center and enhanced endovascular techniques offered by Dr. Jeff Wadley.

The new cardiovascular addition will allow these services to be conveniently offered in a single wing of the health center, rather than at multiple locations. It also will provide additional areas for cardiac stress testing and holter monitoring, an endovascular suite capable of conversion to a cardiac surgery suite and space for future growth of cardiovascular services.