Clinical Cardiology

An electrocardiogram (ECG, also known as EKG, based on the German spelling) measures the natural electric pulses that control your heart. We attach plastic patches containing electrodes to your body. These pick up the natural electric pulses that stimulate your heartbeat. The electrodes are completely passive – they don’t introduce any electricity to your body, they only measure what your body produces.

An ECG measures how fast your heart is beating, can check for irregular heartbeats, detect weak heartbeats, and can tell if the different parts of your heart are beating in sync. It is a simple, quick procedure to screen for many heart conditions like arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). It can also monitor the overall health of your heart and ensure treatments like pacemakers are working properly.

An echocardiogram uses electrodes like an ECG along with ultrasound to get a better look at your heart function. As your heart beats, the ultrasound produces an image of the heart, showing the chambers and valves to reveal the way blood is flowing through the heart. In addition to looking for irregular heartbeats, the echocardiogram will show if your heart is working efficiently, distinguish parts that might not be functioning properly, and detect problems related to the heart valves and chambers.

Most echocardiograms are performed with an ultrasound probe placed against your chest. However, we may need to view the heart from a different angle with a transesophageal (across the esophagus) echocardiogram. After sedation and numbing, a small probe is placed down your throat where it can better detect the shape and movement of your heart with less body mass interference.

A Holter monitor is a wearable ECG device that can keep track of your heart rhythm throughout the day. Many heart problems are intermittent and may not show up during an in-office ECG. With a Holter monitor, we can detect some of the heart problems that seem to occur unpredictably. Looking at the data from your Holter monitor will help us understand how your heart functions over the course of a normal day.

Some cardiac conditions are silent when the heart is at rest, only manifesting when there is a heart rate increases because of exertion. An exercise stress test helps us detect these types of heart conditions. It is especially useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease, where the arteries that supply the heart are damaged, making it harder for your heart to function, especially under stress.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a tool for imaging soft tissue in the body, including the heart. Using a powerful magnetic field, a computer can produce detailed 3D images of the heart and surrounding tissue. Damaged tissue, infections, inflammation, and tumors on or around the heart can be detected. It also offers a more precise look at coronary artery disease, detecting blocked or restricted coronary arteries.

Contrast fluid may be used to help get more detailed images. You will receive an IV injection at the time of your procedure if necessary.

Computed Tomography (think of it as a 3-D Xray) is a tool for imaging hard tissues in the body, like hardened arteries. In the process of hardening, your arteries accumulate buildup called plaque. This plaque usually includes calcium, that is easily detected using this modality and aids in risk stratification of future cardiac events. This is especially useful for people at high risk for heart attack, but who don’t currently have heart disease symptoms.