 |  |  |
|
Cardiology DefinitionsElectrocardiogram (EKG)Your physician may order an EKG prior to surgery or for reasons such as:
Wires from the EKG machine will be attached to the electrodes. Information such as your height and weight will be entered into the machine by the EKG technician. The machine will then take a reading of your heart rhythms and print out the results. Most EKG's take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The results of your EKG are always interpreted by a physician trained in heart health. The results are then sent to your physician who uses them along with your medical history and other test results to make a diagnosis and determine the treatment you need. Echocardiogram The "echo" is a non-invasive procedure (no dyes, needles, etc.) Echo uses the technology of ultrasound, which passes silent, high-frequency sound waves through the body and then receives return sound waves (or echoes.) These echoes produce an image on a screen through electrical energy. Radiation is not used. A doppler transducer (the part of the machine which has contact with the skin) is what sends these sound waves through the body and then picks them up to form the images. Your physician may order an echo for reasons including:
You will probably be asked to put on a hospital gown. Then you will be asked to lie down and gel will be applied to the transducer. It will be moved in various positions on your chest to get the best images of your heart. The test usually lasts about 30 minutes. The images are recorded on videotape and a cardiologist, a heart specialist, will review the tape and interpret the exam. The results will be sent to your physician, usually within a few days. Your physician will then discuss the results with you. Stress Echocardiogram The stress echo is a test that combines an exercise stress test and an echocardiogram. It allows physicians to see how your heart functions at rest and in response to exercise (usually on a bike or treadmill). Physicians usually order this test to assess the condition of your heart as it relates to: irregular heart rhythm, chest pain (possible decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart), overall level of conditioning and heart function, etc. The test lasts up to one hour. You should have nothing to eat or drink except water within four hours of your test. You should also refrain from caffeine or nicotine intake within four hours of your test. If you're a diabetic, ask your doctor how to adjust insulin and food intake prior to your test. You should also ask your doctor if you should take your regular medications the morning of the test, especially if you're on a beta-blocker (a specific type of blood pressure medicine). Wear clothing and shoes comfortable enough for fast walking or jogging, and don't apply lotions or powder to your chest area before your test. To start, electrodes are attached to monitor your heart's electrical activity (EKG-further described on this page). An echocardiogram is performed at rest. Next, you are asked to exercise for up to 15 minutes. Note that the test will be stopped if you become too tired, or have symptoms such as chest pain, excessive shortness of breath, or concerning EKG changes. Once you have achieved an adequate heart rate, you'll be asked to stop exercising. At that time, a second echocardiogram will be performed. You will probably be given the preliminary results of your test soon after completing the second echocardiogram. Otherwise, the results will be sent to the referring physician so that he or she can discuss the results with you. Holter Monitor Your physician may order a holter monitor if you are having symptoms such as:
Following your test, a report is generated and sent to your physician who uses it along with your medical history and other test results to make a diagnosis and determine the treatment you need. | ||||||||
 | |||||||||
