Cardiology
The Cardiology departments on our Brunswick and Camden campuses offer a
full complement of cardiac diagnostic testing, including Echocardiograms
and EKGs, Stress and Tilt Table tests and Holter Monitors, which are used
to evaluate heart rhythm over a period of time. While available 24/7 for
emergency and inpatients, outpatient testing is routinely performed Monday-Friday,
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
In addition to a full range of diagnostic testing, our Brunswick Campus
also offers Cardiac Rehabilitation along with invasive and interventional
cardiology services such as angioplasty and stenting and insertion of
MRI compatible pacemakers and Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators.
You may contact our departments by calling the following numbers:
Brunswick Campus: 912-466-1125
Camden Campus: 912-576-6195
Cardiac Catheterization
Angioplasty and Stenting
If your arteries become blocked due to a build up of cholesterol or plaque,
angioplasty is a procedure used to open blocked arteries. It works by
threading a catheter to the heart through an artery in your arm or leg
and inflating a balloon. As the balloon opens it expands a mesh tube or
stent against the walls of the artery. This vascular scaffolding holds
the artery open, allowing it heal, so blood can flow normally.
Arrhythmias: Diagnosis and Treatment
Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heart beat. A typical adult’s heart
beats 60 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmia may be diagnosed as a heart
beating too slow or too fast. Signs and symptoms of an irregular heart
beat include dizziness, fainting, “butterflies in the chest,”
a rapid heart beat or skipped heart beats.
- Reveal LINQ: For infrequent episodes of irregular heart beat and long-term
monitoring, our interventional cardiologists may implant the Reveal LINQ
device under the skin to continuously monitor and help detect irregular
heart beats to aid in treatment. The device could also be placed after
a treatment protocol has been established to monitor effectiveness.
- Pacemaker: To correct an irregular heartbeat, a pacemaker may be inserted
under the skin to aid the heart in maintaining a normal heart beat by
delivering electric stimulation
- Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (AICD): Also implantable under
the skin, an AICD monitors and detects irregular heart beats and sends
electrical shocks to the heart to restore a regular rhythm.
Intravascular Ultrasound
A diagnostic test using a catheter and miniature ultrasound to look inside
blood vessels, an intravascular ultrasound helps to determine plaque build
up and aid in stent sizing and placement.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a medically prescribed, clinically monitored
and personalized treatment program for patients with diagnosed heart conditions.
The comprehensive rehabilitation program includes exercise and education
to help improve heart health. Our program is accredited by the American
Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the only peer-reviewed
accreditation process designed to review individual facilities for adherence
to quality standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR
and other professional societies.
Learn more about Cardiac Rehabilitation!
Echocardiograms and EKG
An electrocardiogram or EKG measures the heart’s electrical activity.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart, providing pictures of
the heart chambers and how they function, as well as the blood flow through
the heart. Both are noninvasive diagnostic tests used to help prevent
and treat heart conditions.
Stress Tests
A stress test, or exercise test, helps doctors determine heart health by
assessing how it functions as a result of an increased workload. The test
monitors heart and breathing rates, blood pressure, electrical activity
(EKG) and tiredness. Stress tests can help in diagnosing coronary artery
disease, as well as the appropriate level of cardiac rehabilitation exercise
after a procedure.
Tilt Table Tests
Tilt table testing is used to help diagnose unexplained dizziness or fainting
spells. While lying on and strapped to a tilt table, blood pressure and
heart rate are monitored while the table moves from horizontal to vertical
positioning to assess the body’s response to gravity. Several conditions
or medications can cause dizziness or fainting. Simulating triggers to
fainting and the body’s response can help diagnose the need for
treatment or further testing.
Expanding Heart Care
Healthy Partners, Summer 2016
Second cath lab delivers upgraded technology and new capabilities. Read
our featured article in the Summer 2016 issue of Healthy Partners!
Read More