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Cardiac Diagnostics
Cardiac Diagnostics Services offers a full range of diagnostic tests to provide a picture of your heart’s health and determine the most appropriate course of treatment for you. Most tests can be done on an outpatient basis.
The
St. Mary Cardiology Department provides comprehensive diagnostic
services in a convenient close to home setting. The department is
dedicated to the care of its' patients. Cardiac testing utilizes
state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. All tests are conducted in a
safe, clinical environment.
Our fully certified team includes Physicians, Registered Nurses, Registered Cardiac Sonographers, Exercise Physiologist with Masters
of Science in Exercise Physiology and Certified Cardiology
Technicians, all with expertise and specialized training in the field of
Cardiology. |
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| The Department conducts testing from 6:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.. Monday through Friday. Early evening appointments are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays to accommodate all patients.The Cardio-Pulmonary/Neurology Department is conveniently located in the Outpatient Care Facility with easy access from the first-level entry of our parking garage. All parking is complimentary.
Department Hours:
Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Extended hours for Echocardiograms: Monday and Wednesday until 7:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment (physician referral required),
please call: 215-710-2156
Evaluation Tests conducted in this department include:
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Electrocardiography (EKG) detects abnormal heart rhythms, heart chamber enlargements, impaired blood supply and evidence of heart attacks.
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ECG and Signal Average ECG
The signal average ECG is a specialized electrocardiogram
that magnifies the electrical signal generated by the heart. The analysis of the graph helps identify people at risk for abnormal heart rhythms.
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Holter Monitoring measures cardiac rhythms over a 24 to 48-hour period using a portable electrocardiograph worn by the patient. The EKG strips are evaluated by a Cardiologist to detect abnormalities in a patient's heart rhythm.
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Nuclear Cardiology Imaging scans the heart for blood-flow indications before and after exercise. Using a contrast medium, a Physician reviews the pre-exercise and post-exercise images to detect areas of the heart that are not receiving enough blood flow and may indicate a blockage of a coronary artery.
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Tilt Table Tests show if a patient is prone to sudden drops in blood pressure or slow pulse rates that might result in fainting.
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Exercise Stress Tests
Stress Tests on a treadmill or stationary bike measure the heart’s response to increasing work levels. Pharmacologic measurements are used for those unable to exercise.
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Echocardiography uses sound waves to examine a heart’s structure and functioning. Cardiac Doppler studies show speed and direction of blood flow,
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Transesophageal Echocardiography to view small structures in the heart, and
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Stress Echocardiography to contrast heart activity during rest and exercise.
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Pediatric/Neonatal Cardiac Studies, are done for children newborn to age 16. Echo and doppler studies are used to diagnose congenital heart abnormalities and the cause of cardiac murmurs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long will my test take?
While that depends on the test, these are time estimates for some commonly ordered procedures
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Nuclear Stress Test -- 3 to 4 hours
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Stress Echo -- 1 hour
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Echocardiogram -- 45 minutes
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Tilt Test -- 1.5 to 2 hours
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Holter monitor -- 15 minutes to apply, patient wears unit at home for 24 hours
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Transesophagel Echo -- 3 hours
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Pediatric Echo --1.5 hours
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EKG -- 15 minutes
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Signal Avg. EKG -- 30 minutes
How do I get to the cardiac diagnostic department?
The cardiac diagnostic department is conveniently located on the first floor of the Outpatient Care Center, close to the first-floor entry from the parking garage near the back of the campus. Parking is complimentary.
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