Mega Doctor News
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges, driven by an aging population and risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress and physical inactivity.
As the need for heart care continues to grow, access to advanced cardiovascular services has never been more important.
Nearly half of all U.S. adults, an estimated 130.6 million people, are living with some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Among them, approximately 20.5 million adults have coronary heart disease.
From preventive screenings and diagnostic testing to lifesaving interventions and long-term disease management, cardiovascular specialists play a vital role in helping patients improve their health, manage chronic conditions and reduce their risk of serious cardiac events.
“Unfortunately, many of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and physical inactivity, are highly prevalent here in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Federico Azpurua, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist with South Texas Health System (STHS) Clinics. “That’s why access to advanced cardiovascular services is especially important for our community. Early detection, timely intervention and ongoing disease management can make a significant difference in helping patients live longer, healthier lives.”
For Valley residents, STHS Heart continues to distinguish itself through nationally recognized heart and vascular services and a commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals, named STHS Heart one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™ for the second consecutive year (2026-2027), placing the facility among the top 5% in the nation for coronary interventional procedures.
Representing the highest honor awarded by Healthgrades within the cardiology service line, STHS Heart is the only hospital in the Valley to earn this distinction for two consecutive years.
Additionally, STHS Heart, one of the nation’s first and the region’s only dedicated cardiology and cardiovascular hospitals, was ranked among the Top 5 Hospitals in Texas for Coronary Intervention in 2027 for the second straight year.
The designation places the facility among the state’s premier providers of specialty heart care and further solidifies its reputation as a leader in cardiovascular medicine across South Texas.
“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our physicians, nurses and clinical staff, who work tirelessly to provide our patients with safe, high-quality care,” said Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “We’re proud to continue earning national recognition, but what matters most is the difference we’re making in the lives of the patients and families who depend on us. These achievements reinforce our commitment to providing the Valley with exceptional heart care.”
Further demonstrating its clinical excellence, STHS Heart earned Healthgrades 2027 Specialty Excellence Awards for Coronary Intervention, Cardiology Services and Cardiac Care, along with a Five-Star Rating for Coronary Interventional Procedures for the second consecutive year.
The hospital also ranked among the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for Cardiology Services and Overall Cardiac Care in 2027.
Notably, STHS Heart is one of only nine hospitals in Texas, and the only facility in the Valley, to earn Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards in Cardiac Care, Coronary Intervention and Cardiology Services in 2027.
STHS Heart’s achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. Unlike rankings based on reputation or surveys, Healthgrades evaluates hospitals using objective measures, including risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates across more than 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide.
The impact of receiving care at a high-performing hospital can be significant. Healthgrades’ 2027 analysis found that if all hospitals had performed at the level of Five-Star recipients during the 2023-2025 study period, an estimated 227,229 lives could have been saved and 158,138 complications could have been avoided.*
“Finding a hospital that excels in a given procedure or treatment can transform a patient’s health trajectory,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize STHS Heart for its top-tier performance in coronary intervention procedures and commend its team for delivering exceptional patient outcomes when it matters most.”
To learn more about the award-winning cardiovascular services available through STHS Heart, including coronary intervention procedures, visit www.sthsheart.com.
To learn more about how Healthgrades determines the top hospitals for specialty care, view the complete 2027 Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings Methodology.
*Statistical averages based on Healthgrades’ analysis of MedPAR data for years 2023 through 2025 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.
