Cardiac Diagnostics
At AH&VC, we understand how crucial early detection is for maintaining your heart health. Our in-office cardiac diagnostic tests allow us to assess how well your heart is functioning and detect potential issues, such as blocked arteries or irregular heartbeats, before they become more serious. With the insights we gather from these tests, we can develop a personalized care plan that helps you live a healthier life. Regular cardiac diagnostics play a key role in ensuring that you get the right treatment at the right time, helping you take control of your heart health.
We utilize a variety of diagnostic tools to better understand your heart’s condition, allowing us to provide the most accurate care.
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Often referred to as BP, this quick, non-invasive test measures the force of blood flowing through your arteries. It records two numbers: the pressure when your heart contracts (systolic) and when it rests (diastolic). Monitoring your blood pressure helps detect high blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension), both of which can strain your heart and lead to serious issues like heart attacks or strokes.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Often referred to as ECG or EKG, this quick, painless test measures the electrical signals that tell your heart when to beat, ensuring it pumps blood throughout your body. It helps us see how well your heart maintains a normal rhythm and detect irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and heart attacks (myocardial infarction). This test is often the first step in assessing your heart health.
Cardiac Monitors
Unlike an EKG, which provides a snapshot of your heart’s activity at a single moment, cardiac monitors are wearable devices that track your heart’s rhythms over an extended period. This is helpful because some irregularities, like arrhythmias, may not show up during a brief office visit. Holter monitors record your heart’s activity continuously for 48 hours to 14 days, while event monitors capture specific episodes for up to 30 days.
Heart Ultrasound
Often referred to as an echocardiogram (echo), this test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create live images of your heart in real time. It helps us assess how well your heart is pumping blood and identify issues with your heart’s valves or structure. It’s commonly used to diagnose conditions such as heart failure, valve problems, or other structural heart issues.
Stress Tests
Stress tests help us evaluate how well your heart functions when it’s under physical or medication-induced stress. They are commonly used to detect blocked arteries (coronary artery disease), abnormal heart rhythms, and assess overall heart function during stress. We offer 3 types of stress tests:
Exercise Stress Test
Also known as a Treadmill Test or Exercise ECG, this involves walking on a treadmill to gradually increase your heart rate while we monitor your heart’s activity.
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Also called a Nuclear Stress Test, this uses a small amount of radioactive material to create images of blood flow to your heart during exercise and at rest. It's useful for evaluating the heart's blood supply.
Pharmacologic Stress Test
Also known as Lexiscan or the Adenosine Stress Test, this test uses medication to increase blood flow to your heart, mimicking the effects of exercise for patients who are unable to use a treadmill.
hATTR Amyloidosis Genetic Testing
This test analyzes the TTR gene, which is linked to hATTR amyloidosis, a hereditary, progressive condition that affects the heart, nerves, and other organs. Early detection through genetic testing helps confirm a diagnosis and assess risk for those with unexplained heart failure, neuropathy, or a family history of amyloidosis. Identifying hATTR amyloidosis early can help us manage symptoms and improve long-term outcomes.