Cardiology: Non-Invasive Tests and Procedures

Overview

A major component of the cardiac services offered at Day Kimball is the diagnostic testing procedures conducted by the Non-invasive cardiology department. As a further indication of Day Kimball’s commitment to the heart health of Northeastern Connecticut, we offer state-of-the-art testing on a level and variety usually found only at major medical centers.

The Cardiology Department provides cardiologists and other skilled practitioners who will help you every step of the way. Complex stress testing, nuclear imagery, telemetry heart monitoring, echocardiography, and other tests will help further enhance the validity of cardiac diagnosis to meet the unique needs of each patient. Helping to identify your condition for the best care possible.

Cardiology Tests, Procedures and Services:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Holter monitoring from 3 days up to 18 days
Loop monitoring from 7 days up to 30 days
Nuclear Imaging
Amyloid PYP
Stress testing, both exercise and chemically induced
Pacemaker, defibrillator, implantable loop recorder insertion
Pacemaker, defibrillator, implantable loop recorder follow-up and monitoring
Transesophageal echocardiograms
Cardioversions

What To Expect

An EKG is a relatively quick procedure that will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Where our technician will attach electrodes to specific points on your chest, arms, and legs then connect to our machine that will record the electrical impulses your heart produces and display as a rhythm that will be interrupted by a physician.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is for patients who are suspected of having high blood pressure. Patients will wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours that will measure their blood pressure at specific intervals. Once the monitor is returned the data will be downloaded and reviewed by a physician and the results will be sent to your ordering provider

A holter monitor may be ordered by your provider if they suspect a specific heart rhythm. This is a small monitor that is worn on the outside of your chest that will measure every heartbeat. This monitor can be worn from three days up to eighteen days, which is determined by your provider. Once completed the final report is normally available within 72 hours and will be reviewed by a physician and then faxed to the ordering provider.

A loop recorder may be ordered by your provider if they suspect your condition is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm. This small monitor is worn on the outside of your chest and will activate for specific heart rhythms and can be activated by the patient when a symptom occurs. This monitor can be worn from seven days up to thirty. If an abnormal rhythm is detected or if the patient activates the monitor, a report will be generated and read by a physician. Once the monitor is completed, the final report will be faxed to the ordering provider’s office. Normally within 72 hours.

If your provider suspects that you have Amyloid they may order a PYP exam. This exam is performed with low-dose nuclear isotope in our Nuclear technology labs. The results are interpreted by a specially trained cardiologist. The results then will be available for your provider to review.

A stress test may be ordered by your provider for a variety of reasons. All stress tests are conducted under a specialty-trained provider and cardiology technician.

There are two manners of stress testing, either physical or chemical. Physical stress tests are performed by you exercising on the treadmill to get your heart rate up while chemical stress tests are performed while you are resting comfortably in a bed and medication is given to you under the direction of a provider to make your heart beat faster. There are a variety of these tests that can be ordered, your provider will order the correct test for your specific condition. Most tests are completed within one to three hours, depending on the specific test.

Pacemaker, defibrillator, and implantable loop recorder are devices that are surgically inserted under your skin. Our skilled cardiology surgical team will help identify the need for the procedure. Pacemakers and defibrillators are used when your heart can no longer conduct the required electrical rhythm to beat or pump your heart effectively.

An implantable loop recorder is a small device that is inserted under the skin that monitors every heartbeat and will notify the cardiology team of any abnormal heart rhythm. This monitor usually lasts for up to three years and can be removed when the battery is depleted.

These devices will be monitored and checked regularly here at Day Kimball Hospital with the assistance of a home monitor that we will provide you.

Transesophageal echocardiograms are sometimes ordered by your provider when they want to have different images of your heart valves obtained. This procedure is done under anesthesia and performed by a board-licensed/certified cardiologist.

Cardioversions are sometimes ordered by your provider when your heart rhythm is abnormal. Typically patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter will be scheduled for this procedure. This procedure is done under anesthesia and performed by a board-licensed/certified cardiologist. Where they will use a specific machine that uses electrical current to “reset” or “shock” your heart back into a normal rhythm.