A medical procedure that restores a normal heart rhythm in people with certain types of abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias. Cardioversion is usually done by sending electric shocks to the patient’s heart through electrodes placed on the chest.
A graphic outline of the heart’s movement which allows for the diagnosis of potential issues within the heart. During an echocardiogram, ultrasound or high-frequency sound waves from a hand-held wand placed on the patient’s chest provides pictures of the heart’s valves and chambers and helps the sonographer evaluate the pumping action of the heart.
A simple, painless test that measures your heart’s electrical activity because every heartbeat is triggered by an electrical signal that starts at the top of your heart and travels to the bottom. If a patient has a heart problem, it will affect the electrical activity of their heart.
Cardiology is the overall study and treatment of diseases and conditions of the cardiovascular system including the heart and blood vessels and any potential issues with how they function pumping blood throughout the body.
A small, battery-powered medical device that measures the heart’s activity, such as rate and rhythm and is used to attain information on how a patient’s heart is functioning. A doctor may recommend one is used if they need more data than a routine electrocardiogram (EKG) can provide.
A nuclear stress test uses radioactive dye and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to the heart measuring blood flow while the patient is at rest and exerting themselves. The test highlights areas with poor blood flow or damage in the heart.
A stress test helps a doctor find out how well the heart performs during physical activity. As the body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and how tired the patient feels are monitored during the test.
