New cardiology services at Watauga Medical Center will soon save many patients from a trip to Charlotte.

On Wednesday, the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System announced that its cardiology service line is instituting advanced, state-of-the-art cardiology services for patients with coronary artery disease. The services, available Oct. 31, include both diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, which previously were only available at larger medical facilities.

ARHS operates Watauga Medical Center in Boone, Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville and Blowing Rock Hospital in addition to specialized medical offices throughout the area.

Advanced cardiac testing can clearly determine which patients are best treated with medical therapy and which are clearly best served by coronary angioplasty and stenting. In addition, coronary angioplasty and stents, previously only available at medical centers outside of Boone, will now be offered at Watauga Medical Center, ARHS said.

The program will be under the direction of Dr. Paul Vignola. Vignola completed medical training at Yale University and his cardiology training at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital.

“He brings such expertise to the area. We’re very fortunate to have him,” said Gillian Baker, ARHS vice president for corporate communications.

More recently, Vignola served as chief of cardiology, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and director of interventional cardiology at Miami’s Mount Sinai Medical Center.

“I am truly excited to be able to bring the latest in advanced diagnostic testing and treatment with coronary stenting to this mountain community that I have grown to love,” Vignola said in a statement. “In the past, so many of our neighbors were sent off the mountain to be properly diagnosed and treated. Now they can get the best care available anywhere right here at home.”

The Cardiology Center of ARHS is also excited to welcome back former Boone cardiologist Joseph Helak, ARHS said.

Helak practiced in Boone previously from 2004 to 2011 before leaving for a position in Detroit.  

For information and inquiries, call (828) 264-9664.