Cardiovascular Testing
St. Francis offers a variety of cardiovascular testing in our Cardiovascular Testing Department. Some of the tests available are:
- EKG
- Stress Testing
- Nuclear Stress Testing
- Holter Monitoring
- Tilt Table Testing
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Echocardiography
- Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
- Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography
- Cardioversion
Electrocardiograms
An electrocardiogram (called EKG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart through electrode patches attached to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. An EKG may be part of a routine physical and may be used as a test for heart disease. EKGs are quick, safe, and painless and are routinely performed if heart disease is suspected. An EKG can be used to further investigate symptoms related to heart problems, such as:
- Assess your heart rhythm
- Diagnose poor blood flow to the heart muscle
- Diagnose a heart attack
- Evaluate certain abnormalities of your heart, such as an enlarged heart
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound test that uses high-pitched sound waves that create an image for viewing. The machine receives the echoes of sound waves as they bounce off the different parts within the heart. These returning echoes create an image of the heart that can be seen on a video screen.
The different types of Echocardiography procedures performed are Echocardiogram, Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE), and Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram (DSE). These tests can help us:
- Look for the cause of abnormal heart sounds
- Check for heart thickness and wall motion
- Look at the heart valves and evaluate valvular function
- Evaluate mechanical valvular function
- Measure chamber size
Vascular Ultrasound Laboratory
St. Francis is dual-accredited, having earned national recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for its echo and vascular services. The dedicated Echo and Vascular lab is staffed with registered cardiac and vascular sonographers who must maintain good standing with their national credentialing organization and have proven knowledge of cardiac and vascular anatomy and diseases. The lab is under the direction of prominent leaders in the cardiac and vascular field who have experience establishing and operating a successful vascular ultrasound laboratory.
The staff performs invasive peripheral vascular diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.