Frye Regional Earns Two National Heart Attack Care Awards
October 05, 2026
Frye Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital and Duke Health Affiliate in Heart, has earned two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease awards, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to timely, evidence-based heart attack care.
Frye Regional received NSTEMI Gold recognition for care of patients experiencing a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus recognition for care of patients experiencing an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), one of the most severe forms of heart attack. These recognitions reflect Frye Regional’s ability to deliver timely, evidence-based care that helps improve outcomes for patients experiencing heart attacks.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report, each year, more than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). About 70% of ACS cases are classified as NSTEMI, which is often associated with reduced blood flow through a coronary artery. STEMI, caused by a complete blockage, requires rapid treatment to restore blood flow to the heart.
“Effective, timely care is critical for patients experiencing a heart attack,” said Abhinav Goyal, M.D., MHS, FACC, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Coronary Artery Disease System of Care Advisory Group. “The American Heart Association’s evidence-based guidelines help ensure patients receive the highest quality care during hospitalization and appropriate follow-up care after discharge.”
Hospitals earn Get With The Guidelines coronary artery disease recognition by demonstrating sustained adherence to the American Heart Association’s science-based recommendations for heart attack treatment. STEMI Receiving Center recognition also reflects a hospital’s ability to provide around-the-clock STEMI care while coordinating with emergency medical services and referring hospitals to help patients receive treatment quickly.
“Earning national recognition for both STEMI and NSTEMI care reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, EMS partners and cardiovascular teams to delivering exceptional heart attack care close to home,” said Brett Starr, MD, FACS, cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon at Frye Regional Medical Center. “These awards affirm the strength of our cardiovascular program, reinforce Frye’s role as a regional leader in heart care and reflect our continued commitment to practices that improve outcomes for patients throughout our communities.”
Additional quality distinctions
Frye Regional also earned the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll designation in both award categories. The designation recognizes hospitals that meet quality standards for caring for heart attack patients with Type 2 diabetes, who often face an increased risk of complications.
16 years of recognized heart attack care
Frye Regional has earned American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® recognition for coronary artery disease care for 16 consecutive years. The hospital has earned STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus recognition since 2014. Since first earning NSTEMI recognition in 2017, Frye Regional has progressed from Bronze to Gold recognition.
The latest awards add to Frye Regional’s national recognition for cardiovascular quality. Earlier this year, the hospital earned the American College of Cardiology’s HeartCARE Center™ National Distinction of Excellence for the sixth consecutive year. More recently, Frye Regional received the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for the 12th consecutive year.
Frye Regional also received American Heart Association quality achievement awards for heart failure and resuscitation care.
Duke affiliation strengthens advanced heart care
Frye Regional Medical Center is a Duke Health affiliate in Heart, helping bring nationally recognized cardiovascular expertise closer to home for patients throughout Catawba and surrounding counties. Through this collaboration, patients benefit from advanced education and collaboration with Duke Heart Center specialists on cardiovascular clinical practice guidelines.
The Frye Regional Heart Center offers a range of advanced cardiovascular services, including structural heart and valve therapies, comprehensive heart failure care, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology studies and advanced arrhythmia therapies. For more information about Frye Regional’s cardiovascular services or to schedule an appointment, visit FryeMedCtr.com/heart-care or call 828.261.0009.
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