Treadmill Testing
Treadmill Testing
Commonly referred to as the Stress Test, Treadmill Testing takes about 45
minutes and evaluates the heart's response to increased activity. It is used
in several ways to diagnose coronary artery disease, to monitor the progress
of your treatment or as part of a routine physical exam.
Electrocardiogram (EKG and ECG)
The EKG records the heart's electrical activity to detect abnormal heartbeats
(rhythmias). It can even show a heart attack in progress.
24-Hour Holter Monitoring
The Holter monitor is used in diagnosing heart rhythm disturbances that may
occur at times when you are away from the doctor. It is used in conjunction
with a written diary or log of your daily events and activities. The Holter
monitor allows doctors to relate those symptoms to actual variations in heart
rhythms, providing them with further diagnostic information for determining
the best course of treatment.
Echocardiography (both Transthoracic and Transesophageal)
This test uses ultrasound-high frequency sound waves-to create a videotape
of the heart's chambers, valves, wall motion, and blood flow patterns. This
can be done by applying the ultrasound probe to the chest wall or by passing
the probe down the patient's throat in order to image the patient's heart
from inside the chest (transesophageal).
Pacemaker and Defibrillator Checkups
The heart is required to maintain a fast enough heartbeat and rhythm to keep
blood flowing throughout the body. Pacemakers and Defibrillators are devices
sometimes implanted in the body to keep the heart beating properly. Periodic
checkups are required of these devices.
A Fully-Equipped Laboratory
The lab is fully-equipped to monitor cholesterol, triglyceride, and/or glucose (blood sugar)
levels to help identify risk factors for heart disease, and blood samples for further diagnosis.
High-Complexity Diagnostics
A common high-complexity outpatient diagnostic test is cardiac catheterization,
also called coronary angiography or heart catheterization. These procedures
provide more detailed information about the function of the heart and its
arteries than other diagnostic tests. However, by combining information from
blood and other diagnostic tests with a cardiac cath procedure, doctors can
more accurately diagnose a heart condition and the most effective treatment
plan.
Nuclear Medicine Stress Test
The Nuclear Medicine Stress Test is a way to determine if your heart is receiving an
adequate blood supply. A small, safe amount of a radioactive imaging material is
injected into an arm vein before and during your stress test. This material
locks into your heart muscle, giving the physician a "snap shot" of blood flow at that moment.
The stress test is performed using a treadmill if you are able to walk, or a medication if you are unable to walk. A special camera is then used to image your heart muscle to determine if blood flow to your heart is normal.
Please be sure to follow all instructions for the test. If you have not received an instruction sheet, please call your physician at Affiliated Cardiologists.
Cardioversion
With the patient sedated, pads are applied to the chest and an electrical
impluse is delivered to correct some types of abnormal heart rhythm.
Event Recording and Assessment of Rhythm Disturbances
Event recording is often necessary when the normal pacing of the heart is
disturbed. There are several treatments which help in the assessment of a
rhythm disturbance. They are: Electrocardiogram or 24 Hour Holter Monitoring
which records the heart rate in the doctor's office or while you go about
your daily activities, or an echocardiogram whereby images are made of the
heart through sound waves otherwise known as ultrasound. In some cases it
may also be necessary to stimulate the heart through electrical Cardioversion
to in order to restore normal rhythm.
Additionally, physicians at Affiliated Cardiologists Heart Center also regularly perform:
Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
Coronary Balloon Angioplasty
Peripheral Angioplasty
Coronary Stent Placement
Rotoblater and Atherectomies
Permanent Pacemakers
Defibrillator Implantation
Electrophysiologic Investigation
AICD (Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)
