What to expect during your Cardiac Consultation
During your first visit at Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute for a cardiac consultation you can expect a thorough examination from a cardiologist who understands both the physical and emotional side of cardiac care. Before you meet with the cardiologist, a nurse will review your information with you and will perform an EKG (Electrocardiogram) which is a simple, painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity. Your cardiologist will perform a complete exam of your heart and vascular system. The doctor will discuss her findings, and make you aware of his recommendations which may include medication for further treatment and/or testing.
The Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute provides complete cardiac care with services that include interventional cardiology, treatment for peripheral vascular disease and treatment for heart attacks and congestive heart failure. We do this with a true spirit of caring for the individual needs of our patients.
An Electrocardiogram is a routine, non-invasive procedure used to examine the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG can provide valuable information about your heart, such as rhythm and size of heart muscle. Your EKG provides doctors with early clues as to developing problems.
An echocardiogram is a safe, non-invasive procedure used to examine your heart and potentially diagnose problems. It uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to see all four chambers of the heart, the heart valves, the great blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, as well as the sac around the heart. There are many reasons that your physician may request an echocardiography examination. Physicians use echocardiography to look for the cause of an abnormal heart sound (a murmur), to check the size of the heart chambers, to check for fluid around the heart, or to inspect the pumping capability of the heart if a patient is short of breath or has complained of certain symptoms during exertion.
A Duplex Carotid Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive procedure used to examine your carotid artery and potentially diagnose problems. It uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to obtain images and waveforms of the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries run along each side of the neck supplying the brain with oxygen-rich blood. The ultrasound images will show the structure of the carotid artery. The doppler will show the volume of blood flow through the artery.
Cardiac Stress Testing is indicated to aid in making the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with symptoms suggesting CAD, and for risk stratification. In some patients with known CAD and prior coronary revascularization or a change in clinical status, cardiac stress testing can be indicated for the diagnosis of new or progressive disease and for risk stratification. In addition to symptomatic patients with known or suspected CAD, patients with heart failure, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, or planned non-cardiac surgery may be candidates for stress testing.
A Nuclear Stress Test is a safe, non-invasive procedure used to examine your heart and potentially diagnose problems. The nuclear stress test can accurately identify areas of abnormal myocardial perfusion, and determine the functional capacity of your heart muscle. Blood flow through the coronary arteries is typically adequate at rest, even in partially blocked vessels. Under conditions of stress blood flow in a narrowed artery is significantly reduced. By comparing the images of blood flow during rest and stress, the nuclear scan can accurately determine whether patients have coronary blockages (stenosis), scarring, or normal perfusion, function and viability. Nuclear imaging can also measure the function of the heart muscle. Knowing how the heart works can be an important predictor of future events.
A doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive test that measures the blood flow through your arterial veins. The trained ultrasound technicians at Woodlands Heart and Vascular provide Doppler ultrasounds that could help detect any issues with the blood flow in your blood vessels. The results of your Doppler test allow us to find the right course of treatment, if necessary.
A pacemaker is a small, permanent device that is inserted under the skin and used to treat conditions associated with an abnormal heart rate. Pacemakers help by monitoring the heartbeat and stimulating the heartbeat if it is beating too slowly. Pacemakers are typically inserted in the upper chest, near the left shoulder.
A procedure that examines the heart and is used to help physicians diagnose a heart problem and choose the most effective treatment. During this procedure, a physician can measure pressures inside the heart, evaluate the arteries delivering blood to the heart, and determine how well the heart is pumping. This is sometimes called a coronary angiogram.
These portable devices allow cardiologists to learn about the health of a patient’s heart and how it works in a wide range of situations. This can help us choose a more appropriate path for treatment if necessary. The monitors are able to record your heart beat, the rhythm, the strength and timing of the electrical impulses passing through each part of your heart. The amount of time the monitors need to be worn depend on the condition being tested.
Blood pressure can be measured at various points in the legs to determine the level and extent of peripheral arterial disease. These segmental limb pressures can be measured using an inflatable blood-pressure cuff or by performing ultrasonography on different segments of the leg.
