| OUR SERVICES
Diagnostic Tests Carried out at First Medical Center
Nuclear Stress Testing
| Ambulatory
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Holter Monitoring |
Electrocardiogram |
Bone Density
X-Ray | Ultrasound
| Arterial Doppler With Segmental Pressure
Carotid Doppler & Peripheral Vascular Doppler
Nerve Conduction Studies
| Laboratory Test |
Women’s Health
- Nuclear Stress Testing
Coronary artery disease (blockages of or narrowing of the
arteries to the heart) is the leading cause of death and
disability in our country. Any test that can help to find out
about heart blockages before a heart attack happens and before
the heart muscle is damaged is worth its weight in Gold.
The nuclear stress test is a way to detect blockages of the
arteries of the heart and determine if your heart muscle is
getting the blood supply it needs. The test also helps find
out how well your heart is working. A stress test consists of
taking pictures of your heart in two phases: while at rest and
after exercising. The exercise portion can consist of the
treadmill or a pharmacologic stress agent, which will exercise
the heart without physically walking. This test is not harmful
and it is performed safely each year.
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
Uncontrolled high blood pressure over many years can lead to
failure of the kidneys, heart failure and stroke.
Control of blood pressure can decrease the chances of
developing these dreaded complications. This test monitors and
records the blood pressure each hour for 24hours. This gives
the doctor an idea of how well the blood pressure medications
are working.
- Holter Monitoring (Ambulatory Heart Rhythm Monitoring)
This test allows the heart rhythm to be monitored and recorded
for 24hours. This allows the doctor to determine whether the
patient is having irregular heart rhythm as a cause of
dizziness or palpitations.
- Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiography (EKG, ECG) measures your heart’s
electrical signal as it triggers each of your four heart
chamber to pump (contract). Small pads (electrodes) attached
to the surface of your skin detect the electrical signals. The
electrodes are attached with the wires to a machine that draws
a graph of the electrical signals.It requires 6 electrodes
on your chest and 4 distributed across your arms and legs.
Each electrode measures your heart’s electrical activity from
a different angle, which the EKG machine displays as 12
separate readings. Your doctor gets the equivalent of a
three-dimensional perspective of your heart’s electrical
functions from these readings.
The different “waves” on the EKG graph show the signal
triggering different parts of your heartbeat. By looking at
these EKG waves, your doctor can detect problems with your
heart’s rhythm. An EKG can also show evidence of other
problems with your heart.
- Bone Density
Bone Mineral Density tests are quick, painless tests that
can measure bone strength and predict fracture risk. Bone
Mineral Density is an accurate way to measure the mineral
content and density of a patient’s bones. Our technologist is
able to take measurements of the spine, femur and forearm. A
bone mineral density test is one of the more accurate ways to
diagnose osteoporosis in its early stages and to monitor any
changes.
- X-Ray
X-ray is a diagnostic test used to detect any
abnormalities in the body parts such as bone fractures, or a
chest x-ray for any lung diseases.
- Ultrasound
This is an examination of the body with ultrasound. Sound
waves are transmitted into the body with a transducer that can
send and receive sound signals. When the sound waves are
received, a picture is formed by the computer using the
information. This can be used to detect any abnormalities of
various organs.
- Arterial Doppler With Segmental Pressure
Arterial Doppler with Segmental Pressures is a valuable tool
for accessing the blood supply to the lower extremities in
patients who have claudication. Claudication is defined as
reproducible pain or cramping with exercise that is relieved
with rest. The test is done with a probe. Doppler wave forms
are obtained and blood pressure at different levels to the
legs are measured and then compared to the blood pressure in
the arms. You may see this test performed on patients with
renal insufficiency before a vascath is inserted.
-
Carotid Doppler & Peripheral Vascular Doppler
Carotid Doppler & Peripheral Vascular Doppler are used to
examine diseases inside the lumen of the arteries, as well as
blood clots in the lower extremity arteries. Not only are
images made of the vessels themselves, but blood flow
direction as well as speed can be detected and measured.
- Nerve Conduction Studies
This test is used to check for latency in the nerve endings of
the upper and lower extremities. This test checks for nerve
impulses that are delayed by using electrical stimulation.
This test is used on people with carpal tunnel syndrome,
cervical spine and lumbar spine injuries, as well as diabetic
neuropathy. Some of the symptoms are numbness and tingling of
the extremities.
- Laboratory Test
On-site testing laboratory fully serviced by our reference
lab.
- Women’s Health
Our physicians are sensitive to the wishes of women to receive
care from physicians who are experts in women’s health care
issues. Concerns such as breast cancer, menopause,
osteoporosis, birth control, heart disease and others are
focal points of our physicians.
The material provided at this site is for informational
purposes only. It is NOT to be construed as medical advice. Medical advice can
only be provided by trained medical personnel following a careful discussion of
the problem with the patient, a physical examination and appropriate laboratory
studies. You are strongly encouraged to see the physician of your choice to
receive such advice as well as to discuss the information available at this site
as it may apply to your particular condition. Please DO NOT send e-mail for
personal health needs and advice. |
