Radioactive dye is an essential component of a nuclear stress test, as it’s used to produce vivid images of your heart and your blood flow as the heart is pumping. Radioactive dye is injected into the body to capture images of internal structures and to look for abnormalities. The radioactive nature of the dye is the main reason why some patients feel uneasy about undergoing the procedure. However, the test is primarily safe, and there are rarely any associated complications. Why Should I ... [Read More]
heart health
What to Expect from a Vascular Ultrasound?
A vascular ultrasound, also called a vascular lab or duplex study, may sound like a foreboding testing procedure, but it’s fairly noninvasive procedure. Your doctor will order a vascular ultrasound to examine your circulation by evaluating your arteries, veins, and blood vessels in nearly any part of your body. If your doctor has recommended that you undergo a vascular ultrasound, here are some things you can expect: Prepping for the Vascular Ultrasound Typically no preparation is required ... [Read More]
What to Do if You Notice Irregular Heart Rate
Arrhythmias or abnormal and irregular heartbeats are the results of the electrical pulses in your heart incorrectly coordinate the natural rhythm. Arrhythmias are not uncommon and can often be harmless. There are times that they can be alarming and become an emergency situation. This guide will help you distinguish these two types and what you should do in the event of them. What Causes Arrhythmia? There are 14 different types of arrhythmia, depending on where it originates. Atrial arrhythmia ... [Read More]
WHAT IS A HOLTER MONITOR – AND WHY WOULD I NEED ONE?
It may sound like a top-secret gadget employed by the CIA or MI-6, but in fact, a Holter monitor is just a battery-operated portable device that continuously measures and records your heart’s activity for 24 to 48 hours or longer. It’s the size of a small camera and has wires with electrodes that attach to your chest, so it can record your ECG (electrocardiography) as you go about your daily business. You may be wondering why anyone – including you – would want or need to wear a Holter ... [Read More]
Diagnosing Structural Problems in The Heart: Echocardiograms and Your Heart Valves
Could You Have Heart Disease, and Not Know About It? If you have been experiencing fatigue, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, leg cramping, or chest pain/tightness, you could have a heart condition and should see your doctor for evaluation. About 60 million people, or 20 to 25 percent of adults in the United States, suffer from structural heart defects. These heart defects include diseases of the heart valves (valvular). What Is Structural Heart Valve Disease (SHD)? Heart valves ... [Read More]
