Published: December 11, 2025
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized six Norton Healthcare hospitals for demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain.
Norton Healthcare has the most facilities across Louisville and Southern Indiana with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack.
“This accreditation is based on national standards ensuring patients receive specific treatment in a timely manner, a task that takes teamwork across multiple areas of the hospital — including the emergency department, radiology, cardiac catheterization, laboratory and many more,” said Kent E. Morris, M.D., MBA, electrophysiologist, and medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “Achieving this accreditation is a testament to the entire team within Norton Heart & Vascular Institute and at each of the hospitals.”
Norton Healthcare and Norton Heart & Vascular Institute provide nationally recognized care, close to home. When a heart attack strikes, time saved is life saved. Our accreditations are based on rigorous on-site evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competencies in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) available 24/7 every day of the year.
PCI is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a nonsurgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon or stent to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.
The ACC accreditation means facilities comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols for treatment of heart attack. These facilities also maintain a “no diversion policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, meaning no patients or ambulances will be denied access, ensuring immediate treatment.
“Norton Healthcare has demonstrated its commitment to providing Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D,. MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Norton Healthcare with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.”
Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multifacetedclinical process. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that support efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is an area leader in providing cardiovascular care, from general cardiology to subspecialty care that includes vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, advanced heart failure, structural cardiology and interventional cardiology.