Explanation of Diagnostic Tests
and Procedures
At Advanced Cardiovascular Care of Hudson Valley, we individualize every patient’s assessment and care.
New Patients: At our initial evaluation for cardiovascular risk and metabolic profile, we will establish and individualize our perspective about your overall medical condition, lifestyle, and other relevant factors. This allows us to determine if you need further diagnostic testing. If we find medical issues of any type, we will address them in proper perspective—how they relate to cardiac risk, and how they may interact with potential cardiovascular issues.
Established Patients: Using the findings of both our initial and on-going evaluations of patients with known heart problems, we establish a diagnostic, treatment, and lifestyle modification approach that integrates all aspects of patient care for optimal quality of life and long-term outcomes.
Diagnostic Tests:
What they are and what they tell you
Electrocardiogram Analysis
In 62% of men and 42% of women, the first evidence of CAD is a heart attack or sudden cardiac death. The vast majority never had any indication that they had any disease, let alone a strong risk of a dire event.
While cholesterol assessment may fail to detect elevated risk, inflammation markers not only detect higher-risk individuals, but provide a basis for further treatment and prevention.
Many people who had an MI had reasonably normal cholesterol levels prior to the attack.
A graphic record produced by an electrocardiograph, a device for recording electrical conduction through the heart. This common and cost effective test may identify abnormalities leading to the detection of some heart diseases.
Exercise Stress Testing
A diagnostic tool that provides information on how a person’s heart responds to physical stress. This test is administered for the following reasons:
- To evaluate possible cause of chest pain
- To evaluate for possible blockages in the arteries of the heart
- To establish an appropriate exercise program
- To determine if cardiac medications are effective in a person’s treatment plan
- To establish a person’s cardiac baseline prior to any cardiac treatment
- To evaluate a person’s cardiac status after heart surgery or heart attack
Exercise and Pharmacologic Nuclear Stress Testing
Nuclear stress testing is a diagnostic test to determine how the heart is functioning and if the heart muscle is receiving adequate blood supply. There are two parts to this test—rest and stress. We inject Cardiolite—an FDA-approved agent that helps detect coronary artery disease—into your vein while you are at rest. A special camera takes pictures of your heart. Then, the stress portion is performed using a treadmill or a pharmacologic agent that eliminates the need for treadmill exercise. We inject Cardiolite during the exercise portion and take another set of pictures. Stress testing is performed with continuous EKG monitoring.
Echocardiography (Ultrasound)
A diagnostic tool that uses frequency waves, also know as ultrasound, to view your heart’s motion, structure, and size. This test is administered for the following reasons:
- To evaluate your heart’s pumping ability
- To evaluate for structural abnormalities in the valves or chambers
- To evaluate for any congenital defects
- To evaluate for any excess fluid build-up around your heart
- To evaluate for heart murmurs
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
A procedure to evaluate cardiac structures and function. It records images of the heart from inside the esophagus. TEE allows for a better view of the heart than the standard echocardiogram. A TEE can evaluate excess fluid in the sac around the heart, detect heart tumors, and blood clots within the heart chambers.
Peripheral Ultrasound Assessment (Carotid, Lower Extremities, Aorta)
These tests may detect blockages that can cause strokes. We examine the arteries and veins of your arms and legs in search of atherosclerotic disease
Holter and Event Monitoring
These tests allow detection of abnormal heart beating or rhythm to correlate symptoms that happen on an inconsistent basis (fast heart rates, palpitations, discomforts, lightheadedness, shortness of breath) to see if they correlate with heart arrhythmias.
Holter Monitor
A small, battery-operated device that records your heart rhythm. It is worn for either a 24- or 48-hour interval.
Event Monitor
A battery-operated device that allows you to manually record an EKG by pressing a button to correlate to any symptoms you may be having.
Cardiac Catheterization and Interventions (Angioplasty/Stenting)
A common invasive diagnostic test performed in the hospital, when necessary, to evaluate coronary arteries, heart valves, muscle disease, and cardiac congenital abnormalities. This procedure does not treat or cure heart disease, but it does give us very precise information about your heart. This procedure may be ordered if you are having chest pain that has been determined to be caused by a cardiovascular disorder, have had an abnormal nuclear stress test, or are having heart valve surgery.
Peripheral Artery Angiograms and Intervention (Angioplasty/Stenting)
Peripheral Arterial Disease happens when fat and cholesterol build up on the inside of your arteries. This build-up narrows or completely blocks the inside of the artery. Blood cannot flow freely through the vessels. This may cause cramping or pain in your stomach, arms, and legs. A Vascular Angiogram is an X-ray that uses dye to see how the blood flows through the vessels. If we see blockages, we are able to develop a treatment plan for you.
Pacemaker Evaluation
We perform regular checks of pacemakers and ICDs. How often we need to evaluate will be determined by your individual needs and type of device. These devices can last 5 to 10 years. We use a telemetry “wand” to assess the function of the lead wires from the device to the heart, determine if the battery level is ok, and assess if any abnormal heart rhythms occurred. The whole evaluation takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Coumadin Clinic
We’ll monitor your Coumadin levels with just a few drops of blood obtained from a finger-stick puncture. We’ll give you the results in minutes, and discuss if you need to make change in dosage or need follow-up lab work.