Would you ever spend money to repair a car if the repair shop couldn’t tell you what was wrong with it? Of course not. Without good information, it’s difficult for anyone to make informed decisions about their cars or their cardiovascular health. Effective diagnostic tools are essential elements of any cardiologist’s practice. The best treatments in the world would be rendered ineffective without the tools to diagnose heart disease in patients accurately. Our diagnostics services are top-notch, and we’ve outlined below what you can expect from the following diagnostic assessments.
Cardiac PET Scan
A cardiac PET scan enables your cardiologist to check the blood flow to your heart. After radioactive tracers are injected into your bloodstream, the technician will use a PET scanner to track the radiation and develop a computer-generated picture of your heart and the surrounding vessels. This test is used to determine any damage to the physical structures of your cardiovascular system. Specifically, your doctor may recommend a Cardiac PET scan to determine whether damage has occurred after a heart attack or to track your progress over time.
Nuclear Stress Test
You may be familiar with an exercise stress test, where a patient is hooked up to a bunch of machines and asked to run on a treadmill or peddle an exercise bike. The Nuclear Stress Test is a similar concept, except rather than having to exercise, radioactive material is injected into the patient’s bloodstream to mimic the effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system. The Nuclear Stress Test gives your doctor the ability to see how your heart reacts when your body is active, which is impossible to test during a normal appointment when you’re sitting in their office.
Echocardiogram
As the name suggests, the Echocardiogram uses sound to track your blood. Similar to the way an ultrasound technician can develop a picture of an unborn baby, the Echocardiogram uses the same ultrasound technology to develop an accurate image of a patient’s heart. Most frequently, it’s used to diagnose heart damage, heart disease, or blockages.
Carotid Ultrasound
The carotid artery is one of the most significant blood vessels in your body. Its job is to supply your brain with oxygenated blood. Like the other arteries in your body, the carotid can become blocked with cholesterol and plaque, which makes it difficult for your body to pump blood. The Carotid Ultrasound is an ultrasound procedure that your cardiologist can do to determine the level of blockage in your carotid.
Vascular Ultrasound
Similar to the Carotid Ultrasound, a Vascular Ultrasound is used to test for blockages in all of the other blood vessels in your body. Your circulatory system extends from your heart out to all of your extremities, and blockages can occur in any of those areas. Untreated blockages can cause stroke, heart attack, or much worse.
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
While each of the diagnostic services listed above uses technology to develop clear images of a patient’s heart or circulatory system, the Electrocardiogram’s job is to help cardiologists determine how well the electrical system in your heart is functioning. Using an EKG, your cardiologist can track your heart rate to determine whether a faulty electrical system contributes to your symptoms.
Each of our diagnostic services fills an important role in our patients’ cardiovascular treatment. The job of these tests is not to provide solutions but to give your cardiologists as much information as possible so they can choose the most effective treatment for your specific case and get you that treatment before your condition advances. All of our diagnostic services are non-invasive, safe, and easy. We believe that with clear data we can work together with our patients to make informed decisions about their health.
If you’re interested in learning more about our diagnostic services or if you’d like to learn more about how you can join our cardiovascular family, contact us today.
