Starting with a comprehensive consultation, we provide many In-Office Cardiac Services. Ultrasound, vein procedures, stress tests compliment our services provided. We invite you to read more about all of our in-office cardiac services below, and contact us with any questions.
Every in office service starts with a consultation. It is an initial evaluation and discussion of your cardiovascular health history and current cardiac issues (if applicable.) You will have the opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns with regard to your cardiac health.
During this visit, you and your provider will discuss the best course of action to ensure optimal management of your cardiovascular health. We provide many services in office, please read more below.
Nuclear stress tests utilize radionuclide imaging (a radioactive dye) to further assess the presence or absence of blockages in your coronary system by looking at the way the blood flows through your arteries. There are two types of nuclear stress testing, exercise and chemical, and they both start the same way. You will be asked to sit or lie still while the camera will take a series of digital pictures to establish a baseline of your heart function as the dye moves through your system, illuminating the heart and its function, arteries and other important information.
Exercise Nuclear Stress Test
This type of nuclear stress test uses treadmill exercise to evaluate the heart’s response to exercise. You will be asked to walk on the treadmill until optimum stress levels are reached, and then move to the camera. The imaging obtained helps your provider determine if there is any reversible damage occurring to the heart (presence or absence of blockages). This type of stress test is normally used for those individuals who are able to walk on a treadmill without difficulties.
Chemical Nuclear Stress Test
This version of the nuclear stress test uses a medication (usually adenosine or Lexiscan) to induce the heart to respond as if the heart were exercising. The imaging obtained helps your provider determine if there is any reversible damage occurring to the heart (presence or absence of blockages). This type of stress test is normally used for individuals for whom walking on a treadmill is difficult or not possible.
If you have an upcoming procedure or surgery, your doctor or surgeon may request that you obtain cardiac clearance prior to the surgery. If a clearance is ordered, the cardiologist will perform a pre-operative evaluation and risk assessment to determine if it is safe for you to undergo the proposed procedure/surgery.
It will be decided at that time if further testing is needed to be cleared. Once cleared for the surgery/procedure, your cardiologist will inform the requesting provider.
Coumadin (generic name Warfarin) is an anticoagulant used to thin the blood. Patients receiving Coumadin must be monitored routinely through a lab test called an INR. This test ensures the medication in your bloodstream is at therapeutic levels to prevent your blood from being too thin or too thick, depending on why Coumadin has been prescribed to you.
Tri-County Heart Institute offers INR monitoring in our office, at a lab and results faxed to our office, or with a home monitoring device which can send the results directly to our office. Your provider will then evaluate the INR results and make recommendations on any Coumadin adjustments that may be needed.
A Holter monitor is an external, battery-powered cardiac monitoring device used to evaluate your heart rate and rhythm over an extended period, usually 24 – 48 hours. Your provider may order this monitoring if cardiac arrhythmias or conduction abnormalities are suspected, for therapeutic drug monitoring, or for certain other reasons. We place the monitor while you are in our office using electrode tabs and leads, and the small device is connected to the leads by small wires.
The device is used to store the data gathered during the monitoring period, and you wear it for the entire time, during activities and rest, while not getting it wet (no swimming or bathing with it on). At the end of the monitoring period, you will return the monitor to the provider’s office and the data gathered will be interpreted.
For patients who have an implantable cardiac recorder monitor (or Loop), Tri-County Heart Institute provides routine in office and remote monitoring of the device, including monitoring the battery life, and heart rate and rhythm. (See Loop Recorder for more information about the this device).
Kardia is cardiac monitoring technology that is available for purchase at Tri-County Heart Institute. This device utilizes touch technology to evaluate your heart rate and rhythm. For example, if you are experiencing a certain symptom that may be related to the conduction system in the heart, you will place your fingertips on a touch pad to evaluate your heart rate and rhythm.
The primary difference between a Kardia monitor and the other monitors we offer (30 day event, Loop, and Holter), is that the Kardia monitor requires you to have the touch pad readily available to record your heart rhythm should you experience symptoms (e.g. palpitations, lightheadedness, skipped beat, fluttering, etc.). Around the clock cardiac monitoring is not available with this device.
For accurate and precise blood pressure measurements, we provide 24-hour monitoring. This information helps your provider better understand your blood pressure measurements throughout during the day and while sleeping. The ambulatory blood pressure monitor is placed at the office. You will wear it home and for the next 24 hours, and return the next business day. Your provider will then analyze the data gathered to formulate a treatment plan based on the results.
Many individuals have received basic cholesterol labs in the past. Tri-County Heart Institute is pleased to offer advanced lipid panel testing in our office. Advanced lipid panel testing is a complete evaluation of cholesterol, inflammation markers, metabolic profile, diet, omega index, and more.
This in-depth lipid analysis can more clearly assess your risk for cardiovascular disease and help your provider develop a treatment plan. If your provider orders this test for you, you will need to have an 8-hour fasting lab draw completed at our Villages location.
There are some individuals who may go to extensive lengths to ensure their cardiac health is optimal, but unfortunately still find they suffer from cardiovascular disease. At Tri-County Heart Institute, we can provide an assessment of your genetic predisposition to heart disease. This is done in our office by a simple lab draw. If indicated, your provider will order these labs to determine if you are at a genetic risk for heart disease.
Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) Therapy is an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment designed to improve circulation to the heart and decrease inflammation. The therapy uses rhythmic pulses created by gently squeezing the lower body with air pressure to open or create small blood vessels called collaterals. These collaterals create a natural bypass around blocked arteries helping to improve circulation. The therapy is a series of 35 daily treatments, each lasting about an hour. During a session, you lie down on a special bed and oversized blood pressure cuffs are placed around your calves, thighs, and buttocks.
A continuous ECG is also connected to monitor your heartbeat. Air hoses attached to the cuffs rapidly fill and deflate the cuffs with air in time with your heartbeat. The goal is to get your blood pumping in a way that is similar to exercise (though this is not a replacement for exercise), so that stimulation of your blood vessels will help them grow and function to maximum capacity. The therapy is non-invasive, and while it can seem loud, many patients have actually fallen asleep during a session!
We believe that good heart health starts by taking care of yourself, and that the way you approach the growing issue of heart health can make all the difference.
