To detect diseases of the heart.

EKGs:
An electrical tracing of heart activity to detect and diagnose various heart conditions. This is performed routinely at the time of visit should a heart condition be suspected.

Echo Cardiogram:
An ultrasound examination of the heart which measures the pumping action of the heart and also inspects the chambers, valves, and overall function of the heart. Doppler is used to check the flow of blood through the various chambers of the heart.

Stress testing:
Exercise stress testing involves walking on a motorized treadmill with continuous electrocardiogram monitoring. Testing is performed in order to: detect coronary heart disease, assess functional evaluation of patient, and also prior to recommending a vigorous exercise program.

Holter Monitoring:
A 24-hour monitoring of the electrical activity of the heart to detect any irregularities of the heart rhythm and also to check for any silent ischemia (poor oxygen supply to the heart muscle). The test involves attaching a small monitor with wire leads to the chest wall. The monitor is worn by the patient for 24 hours while the patient continues routine activities. After 24 hours, the monitor is then connected to a special computer. The number of events and the time the event occurs is recorded. Analyzing these events aids in discovering any number of abnormalities if present.

Nuclear Stress Testing:
Nuclear Stress Testing determines if your heart is receiving enough blood. A nuclear stress test combines the treadmill portion with recorded images or photographs on computerized gamma cameras. In order for the cameras to see the heart, the patient receives a small dose of a radioactive substance (isotope), which the cameras can see. The radioactive substance can be thallium-201 or technetium-99m sestamibi (Mibi). The basic stress test requires leads on the chest to provide the EKG signal. The EKG is the electrical signal the doctor monitors during the test.