The first step in effective treatment planning begins with an in-depth patient consultation where your specific condition is discussed and analyzed.

During this initial meeting, one of our physicians will recommend the best course of action, and when necessary, a specific treatment program.

A Holter monitor is a device designed to monitor the heart’s rhythm continuously for 24 hours. The patient wears the device, which includes electrodes attached to the chest, and goes about their daily activity. The device records heart rates and heart rhythm during the day and night, which is then stored on a memory medium and is retrieved and reviewed the next day by a physician at our center.

Event monitors are smaller devices for patient monitoring over a longer period of time, generally up to a month. Unlike the Holter monitor, event monitors only record heart rhythm when the patient pushes a button in response to experiencing a symptom. When a recording is made, it can be transmitted over the phone to our center for analysis.

Coumadin (also known by the generic name “warfarin”) is an anticoagulant—or blood thinner—that reduces the formation of blood clots. It is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems resulting from blood clots.

For many patients, Coumadin is a medication they will be on for a very long time, and there are important lifestyle considerations for people who are advised to take it. As a result, the effective management of the medication dosage, as well as the patient’s response to that dosage, is very important to their overall health and well-being.

Shah Associate’s Coumadin Clinic helps patients requiring Coumadin/ warfarin therapy. Our professionals will help you find your optimum medication dosage, as well as answer any questions you have about medication side-effects, dietary restrictions, interactions with other medications/antibiotics and more

A stress test can help determine if you have significant blockages in your coronary arteries. It can also help patients with known blockage to ensure enough blood is getting through to the heart muscle.

With a nuclear stress test, a harmless radioisotope is injected into a vein in the arm, which travels to the heart through the circulatory system. The chest is then scanned (without using X-rays) which reveals the status of blood flow to and around the heart.

Sometimes, it is necessary to increase blood flow through the arteries. In these cases, the patient will either be asked to walk on a treadmill or be administered medication if they are not able to walk on the treadmill.

Echocardiography, also known as an ultrasound of the heart, is a diagnostic test used to examine the heart by creating images out of sound waves. This helps determine the size and shape of the heart, as well as how well the different components are functioning. The results of the test are often used to diagnose high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, aneurysms, or other heart conditions.

An ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is a fast, painless imaging technique that produces images of the internal organs through the use of high-frequency sound waves. It is a noninvasive, simple procedure that can produce images of the soft tissues, which often don't show up well on X-rays. There is no ionizing radiation used during this procedure and no serious side effects. An ultrasound is especially useful for examining the heart in order to determine its size and shape, in addition to how well the different components of the heart and other cardiovascular structures are functioning.

An ultrasound of the heart, also known as an echocardiogram, is a painless procedure performed in your doctor’s office in less than an hour. You may be required to fast for eight hours before the exam in order for a special dye to be visible within the heart. The images of the heart are shown on a video monitor in real time for the doctor and patient to view during the exam.

There are several different types of cardiovascular ultrasound, used to diagnose different conditions. All procedures are minimally invasive and may be performed during a cardiac stress test.

Transthoracic Echocardiogram

The most common type of heart ultrasound test is a transthoracic echocardiogram. In this procedure, a special hand-held device known as a transducer is placed on the chest. It emits high frequency sound waves, relaying information to a computer in order to produce an ultrasound image. The results are fully analyzed by your doctor after the exam and are often used to diagnose high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, aneurysms or other heart conditions. There are no risks associated with an echocardiogram, and patients can return to their normal activities immediately after the exam.

Aortic Ultrasound

The aorta is the largest and arguably most important blood vessel in the body, as it pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body. Ultrasound imaging of the aorta is highly useful in detecting blockages, narrowing or aneurysms, which are bulging areas, within the aorta.

This procedure is often used to screen for and detect signs of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a condition in which the walls of the abdominal aorta become weak and begin to expand outward. Ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless procedure that can help screen for this serious condition in patients over the age of 60 or those with a family history of AAA.

Carotid Doppler Ultrasound

A carotid Doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure to assess blood flow within the carotid arteries in the neck. The carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. This test allows the doctor to detect any narrowing of the arteries and also gauge how quickly blood flows through them to determine a patient's risk of stroke or other heart conditions.

The carotid Doppler ultrasound is most commonly performed on patients who have the following conditions:

• Recently had a stroke

• Have an abnormal sound in the carotid artery

• May have blood clots in the carotid artery

• Have damage in the walls of the carotid artery

• Recently had carotid artery surgery

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• A family history of stroke or heart disease

During the ultrasound procedure, a transducer is moved over a portion of the neck to produce an image of each artery, which is displayed on a computer screen. The different colors that appear on the images determine the speed of the blood flow.

Vascular ultrasound is a safe noninvasive method used to aid in the detection of blockages in the carotid (neck), arms, abdomen and lower extremities. A qualified Technologist will perform your procedure. Most exams take 30-60 minutes to complete. The test results are available within 24 hours. If an abdominal (aorta/kidney) ultrasound is ordered, fasting (nothing by mouth, except water or prescribed medications) is required 12 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.

Noninvasive exams include:

• Carotid Duplex

• Venous Duplex – Upper or Lower

• Arterial Doppler with Duplex Scan – Upper or Lower

• Abdominal Duplex Scan – Renal or Aorta

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to register.

Ref Site :- http://www.sacheart.com/services/cardiology/ultrasound/

Balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to treat coronary artery disease and other heart conditions. During the procedure, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a blocked artery to expand it to allow sufficient blood and oxygen to reach the heart. This relieves symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, and also reduces the risk of heart attack.

During a balloon angioplasty, your doctor will insert a needle into an artery in the leg, arm or wrist. The needle will be guided to the heart and inserted into the narrowed artery with a catheter and deflated balloon. Once in place, the balloon is inflated so that it compresses the plaque against the artery walls, removing the blockage and creating a clear passageway for blood flow. The procedure usually takes one to two hours and may require an overnight hospital stay.

Balloon angioplasty sometimes includes the insertion of a stent during the same procedure. A stent is a mesh-like device used to keep passages open and improve blood flow. The stent may be placed over the balloon and then left behind to keep the expanded artery open. There is a risk of recurring blockage in the treated area, a condition known as restenosis. This condition typically occurs within six months after treatment and may require another angioplasty procedure to clear the artery.