Prisma Health expands cardiology services in Sumter

Prisma Health has established a heart valve clinic at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter that will expand the cardiology services offered in the community.

The clinic, part of the hospital's Advanced Heart Health Center, will be staffed by Dr. Mazen Khalil of Prisma Health Cardiology and will treat patients with aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation or tricuspid regurgitation.

"We understand how valuable it is to receive treatment closer to home, and we are pleased to offer these services in a way that is more convenient and comfortable for our patients in this community," Khalil said. "The ability to evaluate and test patients for these specific diseases will help connect patients to treatment sooner."

Valvular heart disease affects about 7.5 million Americans, and the prevalence increases with age. Valvular heart disease affects the four valves of the heart but most commonly affects the aortic valve, the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. The valves can get stenotic (narrowed) or regurgitant (leaky) for various reasons, including infection, heart attacks and degeneration and calcium deposition on the valve.

Common symptoms can include worsening shortness of breath, chest pain and decreased ability to exercise. Other symptoms include fainting episodes, swelling in the legs and difficulty sleeping because of shortness of breath.

"As part of our commitment to inspire health and serve with compassion, we continue to enhance our offerings within the Sumter community, particularly in our specialty areas," said Louis Smith, interim CEO of Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.

The Sumter Valve Clinic is offered as an extension of Columbia-based Prisma Health Heart Hospital, the state's only freestanding hospital dedicated solely to heart care. Related valve procedures offered at the Advanced Heart Health Center include the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and MitraClipTM procedure.

For more information on the offerings or to schedule an appointment, call (803) 774-9797.