Innovative Cardiac Services
State-of-the-art cardiovascular imaging and diagnostic testing provides NCMA physicians the information to conduct a comprehensive, clinical cardiovascular consultation with the patient to ensure the best outcome for the patient, both in quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Below is a listing of the non-invasive services we provide:
- Electrocardiogram: An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart. An electrocardiogram is done to find the cause of unexplained chest pain, which could be caused by a heart attack, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis) or angina. An EKG can also help detect symptoms of heart disease and check how well medical devices that are implanted into the heart are working.
- Holter Monitoring and Event Recording: A Holter Monitor is a device that records the heart rhythm continuously for 24 hours. This means that it records each and every heartbeat over that time. Sticky patches (electrodes) on the chest are connected to wires from the Holter monitor. The monitor is carried with the patient for the recording period. From this recording, a wide variety of information can be obtained including heart rates during day and night, abnormal heart beats, and recording of rhythm during any symptoms during the recording.
- Cardiac Stress Test: The stress test is used to evaluate the heart and vascular system during exercise. It helps answer if coronary artery disease is present as well as the presence and severity of any other underlying heart diseases. This test does not involve ultrasound imaging.
- Adult and Pediatric Echocardiography and Stress Echocardiography: Stress echocardiography is a test that uses ultrasound imaging to determine how the heart muscles respond to stress. It is mainly used to diagnose and evaluate coronary artery disease.
- Vascular and Peripheral Carotid Imaging: The study of blood flow through targeted vessels allows the cardiologist to determine significant blockage and detect aneurysms. The vascular exam is an excellent screening tool for patients with evidence of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, which is the most common cause of stroke. The exam is also ideal for patients suspected of having blockages in the major arteries supplying the legs, diagnosing the cause of hypertension and detection of blockages in the arteries supplying the kidneys.
- Nuclear Cardiac Imaging: The injection of a small amount of radioactive substance, which chemically targets a specific organ or tissue. A camera then tracks the substance which generates computer pictures that are much more precise that an x-ray. This procedure is interpreted by a cardiologist with advanced training in nuclear cardiology.
- External Enhanced Cardiac Pulsation (EECP) Treatment: This is a noninvasive procedure that can reduce the symptoms of angina pectoris, presumably by increasing coronary blood flow in ischemic areas of the heart. EECP involves the use of the device that inflates and deflates a series of compressive cuffs wrapped around the patient's calves, lower thighs, and upper thighs. Inflation and deflation of the cuffs are modulated by events in the cardiac cycle via computer-interpreted ECG signals.
