Electrocardiograpy

Electrocardiograpy is also known as an ECG or EKG. The ECG, which records the electrical impulses of your heart to evaluate how well your heart is functioning, can diagnose heart attacks, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat). This test is performed while you lie flat. Several electrodes (pads) are placed on your arms and legs and six electrodes are placed on your upper chest. These electrodes are then attached to wires connected to theECG machine. This test only takes a few minutes and can be performed in your physician's office.

Stress Testing

Stress testing can be used to measure your fitness for work and/or sports, detect significant heart disease, or evaluate the effectiveness of your current medical regimen.

Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, two piece outfits are recommended. Wear shoes that are comfortable, such as flat-soled shoes or sneakers.

During the test, which takes approximately 1 - 1-1/2 hours, electrodes are attached to your chest to record your electrocardiogram and a cuff is placed around your arm to record your blood pressure. To administer the isotope, a small IV (small needle) is inserted into your arm prior to the test.

You exercise by walking on a treadmill. If you are unable to walk on a treadmill, you are given medication to increase your heart rate as exercise would. Exercise is gradually increased and your ECG and blood pressure are monitored.

The test will show your physician, who is present during the testing, how your heart functions during exercise. The test ends when you are unable to exercise further, if you experience significant symptoms, you reach your peak heart rate, or if there are abnormal changes in your electrocardiogram. After the test, during the recovery period, the physician removes the electrodes and takes your blood pressure at regular intervals.

The lab is equipped to handle any emergency situations should they occur and professionally trained personnel is available to administer emergency care.

Test results will be ready a few days after the test. Your physician will contact you when they are available.

Cardiac Nuclear Imaging
Blood Flow Imaging
Your physician may want you to have cardiac nuclear imaging as part of your stress test. HeartSafe uses a dual headed, gated SPECT camera technology to scan your heart. It is the only one of its kind in the Merrimack Valley. This state-of-the-heart camera allows for accurate diagnosis and reduces the time needed to lie still under the camera.

A small quantity of radioisotope is injected into the IV and pictures of your heart are taken with the camera. These images show the blood flow in your heart at rest.

You then exercise on a treadmill, alerting the physician and technician when you can only walk one more minute. A small quantity of radioisotope is injected in the IV, and then the treadmill exercise stops. You then lie under the camera while pictures of your heart are taken again. These images show the blood flow in your heart at exercise, and show how the heart walls are pumping. If you are unable to walk on a treadmill, you will be given medication to increase your heart rate or heart blood flow as exercise would.

The radioisotope leaves your body after a few hours. Most people can return to normal activity the day of the test. Your physician will review the results of your test during a future office visit. At this time your physician will suggest a treatment plan and any other necessary tests.

MUGA Scan
Heart Pumping Evaluation
This test, which takes approximately 1 hour, requires injecting radioisotope, an agent, to allow images of the heart to be taken. The test shows the function of the heart.

A small IV is inserted into your arm and the radioisotope is injected through the IV. During this test you will be asked to lie on your back on a table or to sit upright so images can be taken.

This test can be done at rest and with exercise and is the best way to quantitate pumping function of the heart. It can help your doctor know what medications you need to make your heart beat better. The nuclear images can even indicate when a heart transplant is necessary.

Echocardiography
This test, which takes approximately 15 - 30 minutes, assesses the chambers, the valves, and the blood flow of your heart. A technician performs the test and a physician interprets it. The technician places a transducer with gel applied to it on your chest. The transducer uses ultrasound waves to take an image of your heart. The technician will then move the transducer in several locations to take more than one image of your heart. All images are recorded on a tape for your physician to evaluate.

Your test results will be available in 2 - 3 days. Your physician will contact you when the results are ready.

Tilt Table Testing
The tilt table test is performed if you are experiencing syncopal (fainting) spells. A small IV (needle) is inserted in your arm to give you a special medication. You are secured on a table that is tilted up and down. Your heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram are monitored during the test. Your cardiologist is present during this test. It is important to let him know if you have any symptoms of dizziness or feel faint during the test.

This test takes approximately two hours. The information obtained will help your cardiologist determine the causes of your dizziness or fainting spells. The cardiologist will speak to you about the results of the test and discuss an appropriate treatment plan to improve your condition.

Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is used to diagnosis various heart conditions, including malfunctioning heart valves, heart defects, and coronary artery disease. A medical team of doctors, nurses, and technicians performs the test, which helps determine the nature of your heart condition and the best treatment.

The day prior to this test your physician will tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight and will advise you as to which medications you can or cannot take.

The test is performed in the hospital in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. An IV is used to administer the medication. A small area where the catheter (a small tube) is inserted will be numbed and the catheter will be inserted. You lie on an x-ray table with a large camera above it and a television screen nearby. During the procedure you will hear beeping and buzzing sounds from the equipment and lights will go off and on as the x-rays are taken.

Your physician will review the results of the catheterization with you before you go home.

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