Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital reopened its cardiac catheterization lab this week following receipt of $1 million grant that Member of Congress Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) helped secure.

The Merrimack project was one of 15 projects that Trahan sought Community Project Funding for in FY23. Massachusetts Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren were also instrumental in securing the grant.

Cardiac catheterization laboratories are used to diagnose and treat heart conditions such as clogged arteries or irregular heartbeats. During cardiac catheterization, cardiologists test the heart and deliver treatments such as coronary angioplasty and coronary stenting.

In a Facebook posting, Congresswoman Trahan wrote, “Yesterday, I had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon on the new Cath Lab at Lawrence General Hospital. If someone is having a heart attack, a Cath Lab can help doctors quickly identify blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the heart. Having that capability close to home can save critical time when every minute matters. Now we need to build on this progress. As rural and community hospitals face mounting cuts, we must keep investing in these facilities so families can count on quality care close to home when they need it most.”