This is a thorough evaluation with a cardiologist starting with a complete history and physical examination to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease in the present and for the future. Time will be taken to review any pertinent records available and possibly do further diagnostic testing to evaluate for the presence of cardiac conditions.

Stress tests are utilized to gather information about how the heart responds to stress. They are generally done to detect the presence of coronary disease or monitor known cardiac conditions. Most stress tests involve exercise on a treadmill with EKG monitoring. There are multiple ways to perform stress tests and your cardiologist will determine which is the best test for you.  The types of tests include exercise treadmill stress tests which monitor for EKG changes during exercise, stress echo tests which use EKG and echo imaging to evaluate for blocked arteries, and nuclear stress tests which uses a radioisotope to assess blood flow to the heart muscle. For patients who are unable to exercise we utilize nuclear perfusion imaging combined with medication to stress the heart. In all stress tests the patient will be continually monitored for EKG changes, blood pressure and symptoms.

Also known as an Echo, this is a noninvasive test that utilizes ultrasound waves to obtain images of the heart. This test is used to view the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures.

An EKG a simple, noninvasive procedure. Electrodes are placed on the skin of the chest and connected in a specific order to a machine that measures electrical activity all over the heart. This will be done on your first visit as well as routinely when you are an established patient.

Our office provides on-site finger stick PT/INR checks as well as home based checks for appropriate patients. The results are reviewed by physician and you will received instruction on how to manage your Coumadin (warfarin) to maintain safe and appropriate levels based on your diagnosis.

A TEE is an invasive outpatient procedure where an ultrasound probe similar to that used for a standard echo is placed on the end of an endoscope and inserted through the mouth down into the esophagus. This test is utilized to obtain more specific and direct imaging of the heart chambers, valves and structure. Moderate sedation anesthesia is used for this procedure. We do TEEs in our office and at the hospital when indicated.

Venous ultrasounds:
This is a noninvasive ultrasound that can be done on upper and lower extremities to determine the presence of blood clots and venous insufficiency.
Arterial ultrasounds:
This is a noninvasive test that can be done on the carotid arteries in the neck, the abdominal aorta, or the lower and upper extremities to evaluate for blockages caused by plaque in the arteries.

Endovenous or Vein Ablation is a minimally invasive technique that destroys abnormally enlarged leg veins called varicose veins. The treatment sends bursts of radiofrequency energy through a catheter, under ultrasound guidance, to cauterize or burn the varicose vein.  Endovenous Ablation has replaced stripping and ligation as the preferred technique for elimination of varicose veins.  It is done under local anesthesia and there is basically no down time.  The patients can drive to and from the procedure.

This is a noninvasive test that involves wearing a portable EKG for a period of 24 hours (Holter) or longer (event, tele) to evaluate your heart rate and rhythms. You will be asked to report symptoms you may have while wearing the monitor. Upon completion the information will be downloaded and analyzed to determine any treatment that might be indicated.

We oversee and manage your pacemaker/defibrillator with routine Interrogations done in our office or at home. These are reviewed by a physician and treatment is tailored based on the results. The Interrogations consists of placing a magnet over the pacemaker site to obtain stored information about your heart rates and rhythm. These data can also be transmitted remotely and  wirelessly from home on appropriate patients.

Cardiology Partners utilizes the latest state-of-the-art equipment when providing cardiac services in our Catheterization Laboratory.

Enhanced external counterpulsation is a nonsurgical, mechanical procedure that can improve symptoms of angina (chest pain) due to lack of adequate blood flow to the heart muscle by increasing such blood flow.  EECP may stimulate the opening or formation of collaterals (small branches of blood vessels) to create a natural bypass around narrowed or blocked arteries. A set of cuffs is wrapped around the calves, thighs, and buttocks. These cuffs attach to air hoses that connect to valves that inflate and deflate the cuff in synchrony with the heart beats, forcing blood back to the heart at the right time.  Treatments are for 1 hour a day for a total of 35 treatments

• Electrical cardioversion of arrhythmias
• Holter and event monitoring
• Patient education with emphasis on lipid management and cardiac disease prevention
• Carotid duplex ultrasound
• Peripheral arterial angiopasty and stent insertion

As an established patient, our providers will continually screen for and treat known cardiac risk factors (for example smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes) with medications as needed and surveillance testing as well as encourage and counsel you on a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise. We will focus on prevention of future disease as well prevention of complications from known disease.