Cardiology Center at Beloit

							                                                                                                                  SUMMER/FALL 2012 7

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Diagnosing
Heart Disease
Just as auto mechanics use diagnostic
tools to find and fix problems with engines,
doctors today rely on a variety of tests
to help diagnose and treat heart disease.          Beloit Health System’s Heart and Vascular Center
The cardiologists at Beloit Health System
recommend you talk to your doctor about
                                                   Cardiologist Team
your risk factors for heart disease. Your
doctor or cardiologist might recommend any         From prevention and screenings to diagnosis and treatment, our expert cardiologist team
of the following tests.                            at Beloit Health System cares for your heart. For more information, call (608) 364-5205.
Blood pressure reading: An estimated
one in three adult Americans has high
blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart
disease that has no symptoms. Getting your
blood pressure tested is simple and fast. A
blood pressure cuff inflated over your upper
arm is used to measure the force of blood
                                                   Dr. Leo Egbujiobi         Dr. Maria Taveras         Dr. Nadine Thomas        Dr. Robert Harner
in your arteries as your heart beats (systolic
pressure) and relaxes between beats
(diastolic pressure).
                                                 Holter monitor: If your doctor needs to            Electrophysiology study (also called an
Cholesterol screening: High cholesterol          monitor your heart over a longer span              EPS): During an EPS, wires or electrodes
is another major risk factor for heart disease   than with a regular EKG, you may need to           are inserted in the groin and guided through
that shows no warning signs, so it is            wear a Holter monitor around your neck or          a catheter to the heart, where they can
important to get a cholesterol screening.        waist. This small, battery-operated device         monitor the heart’s electrical activity. This
A lipid profile is a blood test that generally   works much like a regular EKG machine,             can help determine what may be causing an
requires fasting for 12 hours before the test.   but is portable and can monitor the heart’s        abnormal heart rhythm.
The results show your total cholesterol,         electrical activity for 24 hours (or longer time
                                                                                                    Peripheral arterial studies: A peripheral
high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”          periods) while you go about your normal
                                                                                                    arterial study is an ultrasound study
cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL or    daily activities.
                                                                                                    assessing the flow of blood into your legs
“bad” cholesterol) and triglyceride levels.
                                                 Stress test: To find out how well your             and is very accurate.
These levels help predict your risk of having
                                                 heart performs under physical stress or
plaque buildup that may narrow or block                                                             Venous studies and mapping: Using
                                                 exertion, you may be given an EKG while
your arteries.                                                                                      ultrasound, we can map and diagram
                                                 exercising on a treadmill. Or you may be
                                                                                                    venous clots in the upper and lower
Electrocardiogram (also called an EKG            given medication that causes the heart to
                                                                                                    extremities. This study evaluates the veins
or ECG): An EKG uses electrodes (small           work harder and beat faster. This is called a
                                                                                                    for the presence or absence of deep vein
adhesive patches) placed on your arms, legs      stress test, and it can help doctors discover
                                                                                                    thrombosis, and provides information
and chest to monitor the heart’s electrical      whether your arteries are supplying enough
                                                                                                    regarding superficial veins.
activity. An EKG displays the heart’s            blood to your heart
electrical signals and can reveal irregular                                                         KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION ARE
                                                 Coronary catheterization (angiogram,               POWERFUL TOOLS
heartbeats, heart muscle damage and blood
                                                 angiography or arteriography): During              Knowing your risk factors and following a
flow problems.
                                                 these types of tests, a thin, flexible tube is     heart-healthy lifestyle can help keep your
Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test             threaded through a blood vessel in your            heart running at its best. To learn more
changes sound waves into images, allowing        groin or arm to your heart. Fluid injected         about your heart health, talk to your primary
doctors to view the heart and examine how        through the tube allows any possible blood         care provider or a cardiologist at Beloit
well it is pumping, as well as look for valve    flow problems and/or blockages to be               Health System or NorthPointe.
problems and signs of heart failure.             viewed on an X-ray.