Heart & Vascular Tests

When it comes to your heart health, accurate testing and diagnosis can be lifesaving. Rest easy knowing Ozarks Healthcare has a long track record of excellence in cardiovascular care. With a variety of testing, imaging, and diagnostic procedures available, you can be sure your heart and blood vessels are in good hands.

Heart Rhythm Monitoring

To learn more about your heart health, doctors may need to monitor your heartbeat. Your care team may use a few different tests to discover potential heart issues.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG, is a simple test done right in your doctor’s office. It measures the electric impulses of your heart and can help detect arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and other types of heart disease. The test helps healthcare professionals detect heart attacks in the emergency department or an ambulance. It is painless and takes less than a minute to complete.

Holter Monitors

Many heart rhythm problems are detected only by observing your heart’s behavior as you perform daily activities. A Holter monitor is a device used to record your heart’s electrical signals over a longer period of time than an EKG. It may be helpful if your EKG doesn’t provide enough information.

A Holter monitor includes several sticky electrodes that attach to your chest. You wear the device under your clothing for anywhere from 24 hours to seven days. The device is painless, and you can go about your daily life normally. Afterward, your doctor will be able to detect any heart rhythm issues that happened during that time.

Event Recorders

Cardiac event recorders can detect arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) like other heart monitoring devices. Event recorders work over an extended period of time. You wear them on your body as a patch, bracelet, finger clip, or other small device. Depending on your symptoms and health history, your doctor may have you wear an event recorder for several weeks.

Implantable Cardiac Monitor (Loop Recorder)

This device is a different type of cardiac event recorder designed for long-term use. It monitors your heartbeat for up to a few years. Doctors implant the technology under the skin of your chest during a minor surgical procedure. With an implantable cardiac monitor, you can engage in all your usual activities, including swimming and bathing.

Stress Tests

A stress test shows doctors what happens when your heart works hard. It can help them diagnose heart disease.

Exercise Stress Test

Most stress tests involve monitoring your heart while you exercise. You walk or run on a treadmill or pedal an exercise bike while a technician monitors your heart.

Chemical Stress Test

Sometimes it isn’t safe or possible for someone to exercise. In that case, your doctor may give you a chemical stress test. You’ll take a medication that causes your heart to beat quickly, the same way it would during physical activity.

Nuclear Stress Test

This test injects a small amount of radioactive material into your blood. Your doctor can track the material with a special camera and see how your blood flows through your heart when it’s under stress.

Echocardiograms

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your heart. Doctors use this imaging test to get a clear image of your heart and find certain abnormalities or diseases. Your technician will put a special gel on your chest and move a wand over your chest at different angles. This helps them clearly see your heart. This test is painless and usually takes less than an hour.

Stress Echocardiogram Test

Your echocardiogram may happen during a stress test, so doctors can see your heart's appearance when it works hard.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

Sometimes, a regular echocardiogram doesn't show enough detail. Your doctor might order a transesophageal echo instead. During this type of test, a tube with a tiny ultrasound imaging device runs down your throat. The exam provides very detailed images because the bottom of your throat is so close to your heart. 

Intravascular Ultrasound

Intravascular ultrasound shows the inside of a blood vessel. This test helps doctors determine how blocked it is and what size of stent (tiny tube) you may need to keep it open, so blood flows through it freely.  

Cardiac Catheterization

This procedure, also called an angiogram, injects a contrast dye into your heart arteries so doctors can see them clearly on a special monitor. Doctors thread a thin tube called a catheter through a blood vessel to your heart before injecting the dye.

Transradial Cardiac Catheterization

Ozarks Healthcare cardiologists choose transradial catheterization in 80% to 90% of cases. Transradial catheterization inserts the catheter through the wrist instead of the upper thigh (the traditional approach). This reduces side effects and recovery time. It’s just one way Ozarks Healthcare improves your experience.

Vascular Imaging

This procedure uses Doppler ultrasound imaging to get a clear picture of your blood flow and vascular system. It can show blood flow in your abdomen, carotid arteries, kidneys, or other areas of your body. Much like an echocardiogram, a gel is applied to the part of your body being examined. Then, your technician uses an ultrasound wand to scan the area.