Diagnostic Services
Diagnostic testing can help rule out certain heart diseases or may indicate the exact cause of your symptoms.
Depending on the results of your initial heart disease screening at Cross River Cardiology, cardiologist Dr. Johnny Dy may recommend additional noninvasive cardiac testing. These diagnostic tests are also conveniently available right here in our office and may include:
Cardiac Screening Services
An echocardiogram is a Doppler ultrasound of the heart that evaluates heart structure and function. An echo is sometimes also referred to as a Doppler ultrasound of the heart or surface echo.
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) identifies whether your heart is beating normally by measuring its electrical activity.
Nuclear stress testing produces images that reveal how well your heart pumps blood while it is beating. It does so by measuring blood flow to your heart muscle while it is at rest, as well as when it is active and under stress. The images can identify areas of reduced blood flow through the heart and damaged tissue that may indicate the presence and extent of heart disease.
A routine treadmill stress test evaluates how well your heart functions during exercise. It is also referred to as an exercise EKG. A treadmill stress test may reveal heart problems not apparent when you are at rest, since the heart pumps faster during physical activity.
A peripheral vascular ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the peripheral arteries or veins located in the arms and legs and show how well blood is circulating in these areas. This test can help diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD) or venous insufficiency.
A cardiac event or Holter monitor records the heart’s rhythm to help your cardiologist diagnose cardiac arrhythmia. The device is worn for a period of time to record the heart's rhythm when you experience symptoms.
PFTs measure how well your lungs inhale and exhale air, and if your lungs are doing a good job of helping to move oxygen throughout your body. These diagnostic tests are commonly performed by pulmonologists to detect lung disorders, but cardiologists may use PFTs to help detect heart failure.
A home sleep study involves wearing a small device while you sleep in the comfort of your own bed. This device monitors various aspects of your sleep, such as breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and snoring to help diagnose sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which may contribute to high blood pressure or arrythmias.
If you are diagnosed with heart disease, your cardiologist will talk to you about the options available to help you manage or treat the condition, including interventional cardiology procedures, if necessary.
Heart Disease Screening in Caldwell County, NC
If you are at risk for heart disease, call Cross River Cardiology at (828) 572-0778 for an appointment today with our Lenoir, North Carolina, heart doctor. You may also use our secure online appointment request form.
