Services
Cardiology Consultation
During the consultation, your cardiologist will review your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. They may perform a physical exam and recommend diagnostic tests like an ECG, echocardiogram, or blood tests. This helps assess heart function and identify any abnormalities.
Based on the findings, your cardiologist will discuss treatment options, lifestyle changes, or further tests to manage your condition and improve your heart health
Electrocardiogram
To perform an ECG, electrodes are placed on the skin of the chest, arms, and legs in a standardized arrangement. These electrodes detect the electrical impulses generated by the heart and transmit them to a machine that records the signals. The output is a printed tracing of the heart’s electrical activity, known as an ECG tracing.
This tracing provides information about the heart’s rhythm and the conduction of electrical signals. Doctors use the ECG results to diagnose specific heart conditions and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Exercise stress test
During the test, you will walk or run on a treadmill while your heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are continuously monitored. The treadmill’s speed and incline will gradually increase according to a specific protocol until you reach at least 85% of your maximum predicted heart rate.
If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms, the test will be halted.
The results will assist your doctor in diagnosing heart conditions and determining the most appropriate treatment. Exercise stress tests are generally safe, though there is a small risk. The procedure typically lasts about 30 minutes, and you can return home the same day.
Exercise Stress or Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram assesses how your heart performs under stress. This non-invasive test is useful for diagnosing various heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathies. It is also effective for monitoring the success of treatments for coronary artery disease, offering greater sensitivity and specificity compared to an exercise stress test alone, while also incorporating a routine echocardiogram.
In an exercise stress echocardiogram, you will walk or run on a treadmill to elevate your heart rate. Alternatively, during a dobutamine stress echocardiogram, you will receive dobutamine, a medication administered via intravenous infusion for about 10 minutes to increase heart rate and contraction strength. As your heart rate rises, your doctor will conduct an echocardiogram to evaluate heart function.
If you experience significant chest pain or other symptoms during the test, it will be stopped.
The findings from a stress echocardiogram help your doctor diagnose heart issues and decide on the best treatment approach. The examination usually takes about 45 minutes, and you will be able to go home the same day.
Head Up Tilt table test
During the HUT, you will lie on a table while your blood pressure and heart rate are monitored. Then, the table will be tilted to an upright position, and your vitals will be checked again. In some cases, medication may be administered to help lower your blood pressure before or during the test.
A significant drop in blood pressure upon standing may indicate orthostatic hypotension. The threshold for what constitutes a significant drop typically includes a reduction of 20 mmHg or more in systolic pressure or 10 mmHg or more in diastolic pressure.
HUTs are considered safe procedures, although some risks include fainting, headaches, or nausea. The test usually takes about 30 minutes, and you can go home the same day.
24 Hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor
This continuous monitoring provides a more accurate depiction of your blood pressure than a single reading and can reveal fluctuations throughout the day. It aids your doctor in diagnosing and evaluating hypertension severity and medication effectiveness.
The 24-hour ABPM is a small, portable device worn around your waist, connected to a cuff on your arm. The cuff automatically inflates and deflates at set intervals to measure your blood pressure.
The monitor records data over a 24-hour period. After this time, you will return the device to your doctor, who will analyze the results for any irregularities.
Fitting the monitor typically takes about 30 minutes, and you can return home afterward. You are encouraged to carry on with your normal activities, but swimming or showering with the monitor attached should be avoided.
Holter monitoring
The Holter monitor is about the size of a pager and is worn on a belt or strap around your waist. It connects to electrodes placed on your chest, which record the heart’s electrical signals and transmit the data to the monitor.
The device stores information for 24 hours or longer. After the monitoring period, you will return the device to your doctor, who will download and review the data for any abnormalities in your heart’s electrical activity.
Setting up the Holter monitor typically takes around 30 minutes, and you can go home the same day. During the monitoring, you should continue your normal activities, but avoid swimming or showering with the monitor on.
