Diagnostic Services

Echocardiograms (regular and TEEs). An echocardiogram provides ultrasound imaging of the heart. It allows the cardiologist to measure the heart’s size, evaluate how efficiently it is working and determine whether blood is flowing properly through the heart valves. For newborns, it is used to look for congenital defects such as holes in the heart or to locate murmurs or abnormal heart sounds.

Electrocardiograms (often abbreviated as ECGs or EKGs). These noninvasive tests record the electrical activity of the heart and are used to determine whether the heart has been damaged.

Holter Monitoring and Event Monitoring. These tests are used to determine if an arrhythmia is occurring, what type and how frequently. With Holter Monitoring, a patient wears a small, portable machine that records heart rhythm over a 24-hour period. This recording shows your doctor how your heart responds to a variety of activities. An Event Monitor is a small ECG recorder that is used to document infrequent symptoms such as palpitations, fast heartbeats or shortness of breath. An Event Monitor is indicated for patients who experience their cardiac symptoms infrequently or less than once a week.

Nuclear Stress Tests. These procedures allow your physician to evaluate whether your heart receives enough blood from the arteries while under physical stress. Your physician sees pictures of your heart before, during and after physical exercise and can determine whether you have heart disease, irregularities or damage. There are two types of nuclear stress tests: treadmill, in which you exercise, and pharmacological, in which medication causes your heart to react as if you are physically stressed.

Pulmonary Function Tests. These tests measure lung capacity and volumes and assist in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases.