If your recent checkup uncovered a possible heart issue, your internist may have ordered an echocardiogram. This is an ultrasound of the heart, showing real-time video of its function and structure just like an ultrasound of a fetus during a pregnancy. Note that this is different than an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which is a graph-like tracking of a heart’s rhythm. An echocardiogram is performed to monitor your heart and valves for issues such as infection or heart disease. Your internal ... [Read More]
Cardiovascular
Why Would a Physician Recommend That I Receive Cardiac Testing?
There are a number of reasons why a doctor would recommend cardiac testing. Among these are that you are showing symptoms of heart disease, you have strong risk factors for it, or you’ve had a recent heart attack. You may hear a lot of cardiac testing names when you visit your doctor. If you’re wondering what these are and why they’re required, let’s take a closer look at their descriptions and uses. Electrocardiogram (ECG) An ECG is a diagnostic test that measures your heart’s rhythm and ... [Read More]
Cardiac Testing for Surgical Clearance
Patients that are recommended surgery need to undergo cardiac testing for surgical clearance. You may be wondering why this is necessary. Surgery is a major undertaking, especially if anesthesia is used during the procedure. The results of cardiac testing can affect the choice of anesthesia and help doctors plan for surgery and make better postoperative recommendations. Cardiac events are a common cause of complications during surgery. Therefore, a risk assessment is an important step in ... [Read More]
Who Needs Regular Stress Tests?
Cardiac screening examinations, such as stress tests, have been instrumental in the prevention of heart disease progression and heart attack-related fatalities. Stress tests show how your heart responds during physical activity or “stress,” helping your internal medicine specialist identify problems with the blood circulation within your heart. They can effectively uncover potential blockages of your arteries—blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood from your heart to other areas of your ... [Read More]
Feeling Lightheaded: You May Need Cardiac Testing
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy occasionally is not uncommon and usually isn’t serious. If, however, these spells are becoming more frequent, severe, sudden, or prolonged, it may warrant further investigation and testing by a doctor. The issue may be due to an underlying medical problem, such as poor circulation or a heart condition. Feeling lightheaded or experiencing other sensations associated with dizziness – such as feeling faint, unsteady, off-balance, floating, or a spinning sensation – ... [Read More]
