Cardiac Diagnostics

ECG or EKG

The ECG (also known as EKG) is a test that records electrical signals from your heart onto a paper strip. The pattern of these signals can tell the doctor whether your heart is normal, under stress, or experiencing electrical problems, strain, or damage.

Exercise Test or Stress Test

An exercise stress test shows your heart's response to exercise. The test records your heartbeat while you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. It can be done in a hospital, a test center, or a doctor's office. The test is also called a stress electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).

Holter Monitoring

Holter monitoring is a painless way to record your heartbeat away from the doctor's office. It is a small electrocardiogram (ECG) that you carry with you. Holter monitoring records your heartbeat for your doctor to review at a later time. You can receive your heart monitor in a hospital, test center, or doctor's office. A Holter Monitor is used to record the heart's activity on tape for 24-48 hours. Data is then correlated with such symptoms as dizziness, palpitations and fainting. In some cases, abnormalities are detected even though no symptoms occur.

Adenosine Cardiolite Stress Test

An Adenosine Cardiolite Stress Test is similar to the Dobutamine Stress Test; the medication used to simulate exercise is Adenosine. During the procedure, Cardiolite, a "tracer" substance, is injected. The heart will then be "scanned" at various angles. This test will determine if areas of the heart muscle are not receiving enough blood.

Signal Average

Signal Average is an electrical tracing of the heart used to detect risk of fatal rhythm disturbance.

Event Monitoring

Event Monitoring is electrical monitoring of the heart for an extended period (two weeks or more) and tracking of "events" (dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath) that are transmitted by phone to the hospital for study by a physician.

Routine Echocardiogram

A Routine Echocardiogram is a method of diagnosis that uses a small device (transducer) to send sound waves through the chest that reflect (echo) off the various parts of the heart. A picture reflecting the shape and motion of the heart is created. The test is performed by a sonographer, a specially trained technician.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a test that allows your doctor to record images of your heart from inside your esophagus, or food pipe rather than outside the chest wall. These images help your doctor identify and treat problems such as infection, disease, or defects in your heart's walls or valves. This exam provides clearer images than a standard echocardiogram, and sedation is used to minimize discomfort.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram is a procedure similar the exercise echocardiogram, but used for patients who are unable to exercise adequately. The test is conducted using Dobutamine, a drug that causes the heart to pump vigorously, mimicking the effects of exercise.

Exercise Echocardiogram

Exercise Echocardiogram is a procedure that takes pictures of the heart muscle before and after exercise on a treadmill. This determines how well the heart functions during exercise, and can diagnose narrowed or blocked arteries, as well as problems with heart valves.