BronxCare Health System

Cardiology

Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology
Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology

The Division of Cardiology, under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Bella, is at the forefront in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Its inpatient and outpatient facilities provide high quality, state-of-the-art services to manage coronary heart disease and treat heart attacks, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms. BronxCare is also one of a select group of organizations participating in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Million Hearts® Cardiovascular Disease Reduction Model, an initiative that will provide an important opportunity to decrease cardiovascular disease risk.

In the outpatient area, BronxCare’s Division of Cardiology is delivering high level diagnostic and treatment services for the heart in coordination with patients and their primary care providers. “Our cardiologists are responding to the high incidence of coronary disease, utilizing a Cardiac Catherization Suite and Electrophysiology Lab to diagnose heart problems at an early stage. We are also helping patients understand and reduce their risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and cholesterol,” stated Dr. Nassim Krim, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Lab/Interventional Cardiology.

Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology (center), with Cardiology Team.
Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology (center), with Cardiology Team. 
2023 Platinum Performance Achievement Award, Chest Pain - MI Registry, NCDR - American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, 2023 Mission: Lifeline, Gold, STEMI Receiving

In 2020, the Cardiology Practice, in response to the high demand for its services, provided 22,000 patient visits, as well as 8,000 echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds), 3,500 stress tests, and 250 angioplasties for acute myocardial infarction. Our 2023 Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology and Mission: Lifeline Gold Quality Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association are confirmations of its success in implementing these quality improvement measures for heart attack patients.

American Heart Association, 2023 Get with the Guidelines, Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Honor Roll, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, STROKE

Coronary Intensive Care and Telemetry Units are an integral part of the Division of Cardiology’s daily activities. An Angioplasty/PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) Program offers patients emergent and elective non-surgical options in the treatment of coronary heart disease, while a Heart Failure Program is providing services aimed at improving quality of life in heart failure patients. This Heart Failure program received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Achievement, Gold Achievement, and Honor Roll designations for 2023, prestigious recognitions of BronxCare’s strong commitment to delivering advanced stroke treatments, as well as caring for patients with heart attacks and Type 2 diabetes. An Arrhythmia Service is also treating patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat) and other complex heart rhythm problems, including implantation of permanent pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators to prevent sudden cardiac death. The program received the American Heart Association’s Gold Award for Atrial Fibrillation.

Dr. Nassim Krim, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Lab/Interventional Cardiology (right), reviewing cardiac image with Windinmi Ouedraogo, Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technician.
Dr. Nassim Krim, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Lab/Interventional Cardiology (right), reviewing cardiac image with Windinmi Ouedraogo, Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technician.