Urgent Heart Care Center
Dedicated Heart Care When It Matters Most
Not every heart concern is an emergency, but it still calls for expert urgent care.
Call the Urgent Care Center to talk with a triage nurse:
804-282-0342
Notice
At this time, only referring providers can call to arrange for a patient evaluation.
Since 2009, VCS has provided the community with urgent heart care to help patients avoid unnecessary ER visits.
Opening in October 2025, our new Urgent Heart Care Center is the first of its kind in Virginia. It is designed exclusively for patients with urgent—but not emergency—cardiac symptoms. Our urgent care service is at one convenient location, improving care access, reducing costs, and ensuring patients are seen by the right specialist immediately.
VCS patients can expect the same innovative and compassionate care at our Urgent Heart Care Center that they have come to trust since 1977, in a cost-effective and high-quality setting.
Thank you for trusting us with your whole heart!
Why Refer to the VCS Urgent Heart Care Center?
A Smarter First Stop for Urgent Cardiac Symptoms
Avoid unnecessary emergency room visits with direct access to rapid expert cardiology care.
Expert-Led Triage
Calls are answered by experienced VCS triage nurses who guide the patient to the next best step:
- Same-day urgent care visit,
- Next-available office appointment, or
- Visit the ER*
* Patients are only directed to the ER when their symptoms truly require it.
Trusted VCS Care—Fast
Patients are evaluated by on-site cardiologists and advanced practitioners with rapid access to advanced diagnostics and specialty care.
Better Outcomes, Lower Costs
Timely, appropriate care reduces delays, lowers healthcare costs, and supports continuity of care between referring providers and specialists.
First of Its Kind in Virginia
Our urgent care center leads the way in rethinking cardiac access, care, and coordination, all available at one convenient location!
Services Provided by Our On-Site Cardiac Team
- Comprehensive physical assessment
- Health history, EKG, and vital signs monitoring
- Same-day or next-day diagnostics arranged as needed (e.g., CTA, PET/CT)
- Rapid communication back to the referring provider
- Triple Rule Out evaluation using CTA to assess for aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, and coronary artery disease in patients with acute chest pain
Symptoms Evaluated at VCS Urgent Heart Care Center
Refer patients with:
- Chronic chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Dizziness/Syncope
- Documented Atrial Fibrillation
- SVT/Rapid Heart Rate
- Atypical chest pain
- Acute vascular symptoms
- New onset of symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should use the Urgent Heart Care Center?
Patients with urgent—but not emergency—cardiac symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. This center is not a walk-in clinic and is intended for referred patients only.
How does a medical provider refer a patient?
Call our triage line at 804-282-0342. A VCS nurse will assess the situation and guide the best next step for the patient.
What happens after a patient is seen?
We’ll share results and next steps with the referring provider and ensure a seamless handoff for ongoing care.
How quickly are patients seen?
Most are seen the same day. Our goal is to provide timely access to expert cardiac care and diagnostics without the delay of the ER.
What are the hours of operation?
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. The triage line is available during these hours.
Directions
From I-64 Traveling East: Take Exit 183, 250/Broad Street/Glenside Drive. Take the first ramp off the exit toward Glenside Drive. At the light, turn Right onto Glenside Drive. Turn Right at the first light onto Forest Avenue. Proceed straight on Forest Avenue through the light at Skipwith Road. Pass Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. At the next light (Discovery Drive), turn Left. Forest Medical Plaza is the building on your Left.
From I-64 Traveling West:
Take Exit 183-A, Glenside Drive South. Merge onto Glenside Drive. Turn Right at the light onto Forest Avenue. Proceed straight on Forest Avenue through the light at Skipwith Road. Pass Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. At the next light (Discovery Drive), turn Left. Forest Medical Plaza is the building on your Left.
From the St. Mary’s Office:
Turn Left onto Monument Avenue. At the intersection with Glenside Drive/Horsepen Road, turn Right. At your second light, turn Left onto Forest Avenue. Proceed straight on Forest Avenue through the light at Skipwith Road. Pass Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. At the next light (Discovery Drive), turn Left. Forest Medical Plaza is the building on your Left. From South of the James River traveling North on VA-288: Exit onto VA-6 E/Patterson Avenue toward Richmond. Go approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Avenue. Continue straight on Forest through the intersection with Three Chopt Road. Turn Right at the light at Discovery Drive. Forest Medical Plaza is the building on your Left.
From South of the James River traveling North on Powhite Parkway/
VA-76:
Take the Chippenham Parkway exit onto VA-150N. Go 5 miles. Continue on N. Parham Road for 2 miles. Turn Right onto Patterson Avenue (VA-6E). Go approximately 1 mile and turn Left onto Forest Avenue. Continue straight on Forest through the intersection with Three Chopt Road. Turn Right at the light at Discovery Drive. Forest Medical Plaza is the building on your Left.