The Heart Center

My Tests

Learn how you can can keep your heart healthy. Click here to view our Cardiovascular Health Screening Packages.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG is a picture of your heart’s electrical activity. 10 electrodes are placed over your chest wall and a special machine draws an image of your heart rhythm. This allows your cardiologist to evaluate for an irregular heart rhythm and for other conditions. It takes only a few minutes to perform.

Holter Monitor

The Holter Monitor is a recording device that monitors your heart rhythm for a period of time (usually about 24 hrs). The monitor has 5 to 7 wires called leads. The leads attach to metal disks called electrodes, which you wear on your chest. These electrodes are very sensitive, and they can pick up the electrical impulses of the heart. The impulses are recorded by the Holter monitor and give your doctor a 24-hour record of your heart's electrical activity.

Event Monitor

This monitor is similar to a holter monitor but worn for a longer period of time. It is used to identify problems with heart rhythm.

Treadmill Exercise Stress Test

This test allows your doctor to evaluate how your heart performs with effort. You will be attached to a heart monitor and your vital signs and heart rhythm will be evaluated while you walk on a treadmill.

Nuclear Stress Test

This test allows your cardiologist to view special images of your heart muscle both at rest and after exercise. After having an injection of a radioactive substance, which is not harmful to your body, images of your heart are taken with a special camera. Images are taken both at rest and after exercise. If you cannot exercise, special medications can be given instead. The images give your cardiologist information about the strength of your heart muscle, if any muscle is damaged, and if any blood vessels of the heart may have blockages. This test can take several hours to complete and it is important not to drink caffeine or take certain medications before the test. Check with your doctor about specific instructions.

Stress Echocardiogram

This test is similar to standard echocardiography. However, you will have an echocardiogram preformed both at rest (baseline) and after stress (through exercise or with a medication to make your heart work as though you were exercising). This allows your cardiologist to evaluate how well your heart muscle works with effort.

Cardiac Catheterization

This test is also referred to as an “angiogram” or “heart cath.” During this test, your doctor will thread a special catheter up through a blood vessel in your leg or arm. Then he will inject dye to look for blockages in the arteries of your heart. If he finds blockages, he may use a balloon or stent to open them up. Because this is an invasive test, there are certain things that you should do before and after the test. Ask your cardiologist for more information.

Echocardiography

This test uses high frequency sound waves sent through the body to produce an image of the moving heart muscle on a television monitor. This allows the cardiologist to examine the structure of the heart muscle and heart valves, as well as the way blood is moving through the heart. There is no special preparation before this test. The test takes 20-40 minutes and should not cause any discomfort.

Carotid Doppler

This test is an ultrasound of the carotid arteries in your neck. An image of your carotid arteries will allow your cardiologist to determine if there are blockages in these blood vessels.
Lower Extremity Doppler- This test is much like a carotid Doppler, but is performed on your legs. It allows your cardiologist to determine if any arteries or veins in your legs have blockages or blood clots.

Ankle-Brachial Index

This test is a special way of taking the blood pressure of your legs. It gives your cardiologist information about how good the circulation in your legs is.