Mega Doctor News
Driven by an aging population, rising rates of cardiovascular disease related to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, sedentary habits and high stress, and the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the United States, there’s an increasing demand for cardiovascular services.
Each year, more than 51 million people receive services related to the heart and blood vessels across the country, according to 2023 Medicare data, including electrocardiograms, stress tests, medication management and treatment for conditions like heart failure and arrhythmia.
Moreover, approximately 1.2 million angioplasties were completed in 2023, according to a study by iData Research, while more than 900,000 cardiac surgeries are performed annually.
In the Rio Grande Valley, patients requiring cardiovascular services can count on South Texas Health System (STHS) Heart to provide nationally recognized quality, compassionate care.
Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals, recently named STHS Heart as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for coronary intervention in 2026, with the facility ranking among the top 5% in the nation for coronary interventional procedures. It’s the highest achievement the respected online platform offers across the cardiology service line.
The achievement places STHS Heart – one of the nation’s first and the region’s only dedicated cardiology and cardiovascular hospital – in the upper echelon of hospitals for coronary intervention nationwide, reflecting STHS’ commitment to delivering exceptional care.
Moreover, STHS Heart ranks as one of the top three hospitals for coronary intervention in the state, according to Healthgrades’ 2026 state rankings.
“This recognition is a testament to STHS Heart’s commitment to providing high quality, safe and innovative care to the patients who entrust us with their care,” says Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “Our physiciansand clinical staff work tirelessly to ensure our cardiovascular patients receive the highest level of compassionate care designed to meet an individual’s unique needs. Earning Healthgrades’ 100 Best Hospitals award and ranking among the top three in Texas for coronary intervention demonstrates our dedication to maximizing our patients’ health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.”
Additionally, STHS Heart received the Healthgrades 2026 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award, ranked in the Top 5% in the nation for coronary interventional procedures and was a Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures (2026), a Five-Star Recipient for Pacemaker Procedures (2026) and a Five-Star Recipientfor Carotid Procedures for the second consecutive year (2025- 2026).
STHS Heart’s achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. Each year, Healthgrades evaluates risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify the top hospitals in key specialty areas, including cardiology. Through easy-to-understand, objective measures of hospital performance, Healthgrades empowers patients with the information they need to find a hospital that excels in their procedure or condition.
As performance gaps persist between the nation’s highest- and lowest-achieving facilities, seeking care at a top program has never been more important. Healthgrades’ 2026 analysis revealed that if all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2022-2024 study period, on average, 230,466 lives could have been saved and 156,797 complications could have been avoided.*
“Healthgrades’ specialty awards identify the nation’s top-performing hospitals in key service areas, helping consumers find high quality care tailored to their specific needs,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize STHS Heart for its consistently superior outcomes in key service areas, including coronary intervention, as well coronary intervention and pacemaker procedures.”
To learn more about the award-winning cardiovascular services available through STHS Heart, including the coronary intervention procedures performed at the facility, visit the STHS Heart website at www.sthsheart.com.
*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2022 through 2024 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2026 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology.
