Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Imaging
At Santa Rosa Medical Center, your path to better heart health begins with an evaluation and diagnosis by a board-certified cardiologist. During this initial appointment, your cardiologist will attempt to determine the type and extent of your heart disease.
This may be achieved through a number diagnostic methods and technologies, including diagnostic imaging technology that allows your doctor to get a better view of your heart and blood flow.
Diagnosing Heart Disease In Milton, FL
To diagnose heart disease, your cardiologist will take into consideration your medical history, review your symptoms and perform a thorough physical examination. Your doctor may also look for common causes of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. In order to accurately diagnose your heart health, your cardiologist may utilize a wide range of diagnostic procedures, which may include:
- Blood tests may be performed in order to check for diseases that affect the heart. Often, blood tests will allow the heart care specialist to determine if there are indicators of heart disease in the liver, kidneys or thyroid.
- Stress tests are often performed to reveal how your body responds to elevated physical activity. The doctor may have you walk on a treadmill while watching how your heart and blood vessels respond. This may help diagnose the cause of heart disease.
- Electrophysiology studies, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and transesophogeal echocardiogram (TEE) are used for obtaining quick results. These tests are typically done in the doctor's office; you may get your results the same day. During the test, sensors are attached to your chest to measure the heart's electrical activity and to identify any muscle damage that may cause heart disease. It's important to know, however, that a standard ECG can record an abnormal heart rhythm only if it happens during the test.
- Holter monitors may be used if your doctor thinks you may have an irregular heart beat that is not observed in-office. If this is the case, you may need to wear a Holter monitor. This is a small device that is worn for up to two days. Wearing this monitor will allow you to go about your normal activities while recording a continuous ECG. You will then return to your cardiologist's office where the results can be analyzed.
- Nuclear medicine scans such as positron emission tomography (PET), PET/CT scans, or thallium or myocardial perfusion scans utilize a small dose of radioactive material to reveal the structure and blood flow within the heart.
- Non-invasive imaging technologies including magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), X-ray and echocardiograms provide images of the heart muscle, valves, veins and arteries.
- Cardiac catheterization, or coronary angiogram, is an interventional cardiology procedure that provides real-time X-ray images (fluoroscopy) to show the heart's pumping ability, the health of the valves and arteries, as well as measure blood pressure. This technique is also used to collect biopsies and blood samples.
At Santa Rosa Medical Center, doctors take your heart health very seriously. Please note that more than one of these tests may be conducted in order ensure a correct diagnosis of your cardiovascular health. Depending on results, your heart doctor may be able to create a program that will help monitor and reduce your risk of heart failure.
Find a Cardiologist Near You In Milton, FL
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