Mega Doctor News
Among the many health conditions that can affect the flow of blood through the body, carotid artery disease – which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain – is considered one of the most dangerous.
Located on each side of the neck, the carotid arteries may develop a blockage, typically consisting of plaque, a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which can lead to the hardening of the arteries or what’s commonly known as carotid artery disease.
Left untreated, carotid artery disease can lead to stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. Each year, more than 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with research from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute showing more than half of those instances caused by carotid artery disease.
When the arteries have narrowed by 60% or more, a physician is likely to recommend carotid surgery, a procedure that treats carotid artery disease, prevents stroke and restores blood flow to the brain by removing plaque buildup.
The operation can be performed one of two ways: a less invasive procedure called carotid angioplasty and stenting, which involves a surgeon inserting a catheter through a blood vessel in the neck or elbow and then using X-ray imaging to guide the catheter through the affected artery. The surgeon then widens the artery and places a stent torestore blood flow.
The second type of carotid surgery procedure is called carotid endarterectomy, which involves making a small cut to remove the part of the artery lining damaged by plaque buildup.
Across the United States, more than 117,000 carotid surgeries are performed each year to treat carotid artery disease, per the National Institutes of Health.
“Carotid artery disease is a common and serious condition that can cause a significant amount of damage,” says Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, South Texas Health System Heart. “It’s important for patients to know there are options when it comes to care and treatment of this disease and STHS Heart is proud to offer the Rio Grande Valley care that is nationally recognized.”
STHS Heart recently received a five-star rating for carotid surgery from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. The achievement places one of the nation’s first and the Rio Grande Valley’s only cardiology and cardiovascular hospital in the upper echelon of hospitals for specialty care nationwide, reflecting STHS’ commitment to delivering exceptional care.
“This rating is based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes,” says Ivory. “Being recognized on a national scale is an honor and a testament to the dedication of our physicians and staff who work tirelessly ensuring our patients receive the highest level of compassionate cardiovascular care.”
As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades helps consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need.
“As variation in performance among hospitals continues to grow, it’s increasingly important for consumers to seek care at top-rated programs,” says Ivory.
Healthgrades’ 2025 analysis reveals if all hospitals as a group performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2021-2023 study period, on average, 224,958 lives could potentially have been saved, and 141,692 complications could potentially have been avoided.
“This five-star recognition is acknowledgment of STHS Heart’s commitment to providing positive patient outcomes in critical service areas, like cardiovascular care,” says Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “STHS Heart offers trusted expertise, unwavering dedication to excellence in healthcare and sets a high standard of care across the Rio Grande Valley.”
To learn more about the surgical services available through South Texas Health System, visit the STHS Heart website at www.southtexashealthsystemheart.com.
