Often, we only think about going to the doctor when we’re sick. However, a visit with a cardiologist may prevent and allow a professional to treat several cardiovascular diseases and heart conditions.
Here are some reasons to see a cardiologist sooner:
- Your primary care doctor recommends you see a cardiologist.
- You’re experiencing heart pain or symptoms.
- You have a family history of heart problems.
- You have high total cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- You’ve experienced preeclampsia during pregnancy.
- You’re over the age of 40 and starting a new exercise program.
Diagnostic Services
- Catheterization labs. Altru boasts four state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization/electrophysiology labs, which provide both outpatient and inpatient heart catherization and arrhythmia procedures. These specialized rooms contain diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart. The highly skilled professionals in the labs provide:
- Education
- Diagnostic examinations
- Treatment
- Intervention
- Echocardiography. Echocardiography is commonly used in the diagnosis and management of heart disease. It can provide a wealth of information, including the size and shape of the heart, pumping capacity and the location and extent of any tissue damage. Types of echocardiograms include:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). This type of echocardiogram is the most common. During this test, a transducer is placed on the chest and upper abdomen. The device translates electrical impulses into a moving picture of the heart valves.
- Stress echocardiogram. During this test, patches called electrodes are placed on the upper and lower body to record the heart’s activity. This test shows the heart’s ability to pump blood and can detect narrowed coronary arteries. Your physician may use it to see if the heart is receiving enough blood flow and oxygen during activity.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram. During this test, a cardiologist will guide a probe attached to an ultrasound transducer down the throat to visualize your heart. The test generates accurate pictures of the heart and helps your provider look for signs of infections or blood clots.
Treatments
- Cardiothoracic surgery. Altru’s cardiothoracic providers specialize in the surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the chest cavity. While cardiac and thoracic surgeries are separate procedures, they are frequently grouped together as one surgical specialty, encompassing surgery of the heart, great vessels and nearby organs.
Why Choose Altru for Heart Care
Altru strives to always be improving treatments and heart care management for patients. For example, every minute counts to lower a heart attack patient’s risk of death and serious heart damage. Patients can be confident they will receive the highest level of care at Altru.
Request an appointment through MyChart. For more information, call 701.780.6236.
