Specialty care
Heart care
Heart disease is one of Jamaica’s leading causes of death. Since January 2025 our cardiologists have been able to investigate and treat many heart problems here on Hope Road, in our own cardiac catheterization lab.
Overview
- Cath lab opened
- January 8, 2025
- System
- GE Innova 2100
- Emergency care
- 24 hours a day
A cardiac catheterization lab, or cath lab, is a procedure room with X-ray equipment that shows the heart’s arteries in real time. A cardiologist passes a thin tube through a blood vessel in the wrist or groin up to the heart, sees where an artery has narrowed, and in many cases opens it during the same procedure.
Ours is one of five cath labs in Kingston. It is led by interventional cardiologist Dr Raquel Gordon-Adlam, Chief of Cardiology on the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee. The system was a gift from AdventHealth, our partner hospital system in the United States for three decades.
Conditions these specialists treat
Specialists in this field look after patients with:
- Chest pain and angina
- Heart attack
- Narrowed or blocked coronary arteries
- Heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat, including atrial fibrillation
- Heart valve disease
- High blood pressure that is hard to control
- Heart conditions in children, including defects present from birth
A general list for this field of medicine. Ask a specialist’s office whether they treat your condition.
Care on this campus
- Cardiac catheterization
Coronary angiography to find narrowed arteries, with treatment in the same sitting where your cardiologist advises it.
About the cath lab- Emergency assessment
Accident & Emergency is open all day, every day. With the cath lab on site, a suspected heart attack can be investigated without a transfer.
Accident & Emergency- Blood tests and scans
Our laboratory runs cardiac blood tests, and Imaging offers CT, MRI, X-ray and ultrasound.
Imaging and MRI- Heart surgeons
Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons hold practising privileges at Andrews, alongside the cardiologists.
Coming next: a cardiac and stroke programme
The hospital’s leadership has said a dedicated cardiac and stroke programme is the next step, supported by a critical care programme. Where we’re heading
Signs of a heart attack
- Pressure, tightness or pain in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes
- Pain that spreads to the arm, neck, jaw or back
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
- A cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness
Women, older people and people with diabetes may feel less chest pain and more breathlessness, tiredness or nausea. Don’t wait to see if it passes.
Our specialists
25 consultants across these fields hold practising privileges at Andrews. To book, call the consultant’s office or the hospital on (876) 926-7401.
Cardiology
All 14- Dr Joel Brooks
- Dr Donald Christian
- Dr Andriene Chung
- Dr Edward Chung
- Dr Waldo Douglas
- Dr Paul Edwards
- Dr Victor Elliott
- Dr William Foster
- Dr Aldo Furlani
- Dr Miguel Garcia
- Dr Racquel Gordon
- Dr Ernest Madu
- and 2 more
Cardiothoracic Surgery
In the directory- Dr Sydney Gaynor
- Dr Roger Irvine
- Dr Sherard Little
- Dr Rodger Miller
- Dr Paul Ramphal
- Dr Sunil Stephenson
- Dr Mark Taylor
Vascular & Thoracic Surgery
In the directory- Dr Dennis Pyne
Paediatric Cardiology
In the directory- Dr Russell Chatoor
- Dr Priscilla Morais
- Dr Sandra Williams-Phillips
Questions people ask
Do I need a referral to see a cardiologist?
The cardiologists listed here are private consultants. A referral letter from your own doctor helps, because it tells the cardiologist what has already been checked, but ask the cardiologist’s office what they need when you book.
How long does a cardiac catheterization take?
The test itself usually takes under an hour. If an artery is treated at the same time it takes longer, and you may stay overnight. Your cardiologist will tell you what to expect and how to prepare.
Will my insurance cover a cath lab procedure?
Many health plans cover part of the cost. Ask us for an estimate before your procedure and check your cover with your insurer. See Billing and insurance.
Further reading
- Heart attack: the warning signsWhat a heart attack feels like, how it can differ in women, and what to do while help is on the way.
- High blood pressure: know your numbersAbout one in three Jamaican adults has high blood pressure, and many don’t know it. Here is what the numbers mean and what brings them down.
- Stroke: act FASTFour letters that help you spot a stroke, and what to do in the first minutes.
Ready to see a specialist?
Search the directory by name or specialty, or call and we’ll point you in the right direction.