Echocardiography (TTE) | An echocardiogram, often called an "echo," is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound to create images of your heart, helping assess its function and diagnose conditions. It is non-invasive, and an essential tool for our cardiologists to monitor your heart structure and function. An Echocardiogram is Done for Various Reasons: - To assess the ability of the heart to pump
- To assess abnormal heart sounds or murmurs / assess valve function.
- To assess possible congenital abnormalities
How the Test is Done An exposed chest area is needed for this examination. Ladies will be given a gown. The technician will have to place the transducer against your chest wall, between your ribs to gain images. A water based gel is applied to the skin. The examination takes 30-45 minutes. | Exercise Stress Echocardiogram | ‘Stress Test’ Exercise stress echocardiogram is a test that evaluates how well your heart functions under physical stress. It combines an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography), 12 lead ECG monitoring with exercise on a treadmill. This test helps detect heart problems that may not be apparent when the heart is at rest. During the procedure, your heart's images are taken before and after exercise to see how it responds to increased activity. Stress Echocardiogram is done To: - Evaluate chest pain / Shortness of breath with exertion, fainting episodes.
- Determine the severity of known ‘heart blockages’
- Evaluate the effectiveness of stents/bypass surgery
- Evaluate valvular lesions under stress
Before the Test: - Continue taking your medication unless your doctor has specified otherwise (please let our team know if you normally take beta blocker medication)
- Either wear or bring comfortable clothing and shoes to walk in
- Give informed consent on the day of procedure.
How the test is done - Run by a sonographer who will take some resting images with an ultrasound. Your cardiologist will oversee the test and report on the images back to your GP.
- You will be connected to a 12 lead ECG to monitor your heart rhythm throughout the test
- You will exercise on a treadmill which will increase in speed and incline
- The sonographer will take more images when you have reached your exercise/heart rate threshold. The test takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.
Cost? For all medicare eligible patients their stress echocardiogram will be bulk billed for eligible indications | Holter Monitor | A Holter monitor is a portable device that continuously records your heart's electrical activity, typically over 24 to 48 hours, to detect irregular heart rhythms that may not show up during a standard ECG in a doctor's office. You wear the monitor as you go about your daily activities, and it captures detailed data about your heart's performance throughout the day and night. Holter monitor is done to: - Monitor for abnormal heart rhythms (fast heart rates/slow heart rates, malignant arrhythmia)
- Investigation of syncope (blackouts) or pre-syncope (dizzy spells)
- Investigate heart palpitations
How the test is done - Our team will attach the monitor to you (using sticky dots/electrodes) that will be attached to a small monitor. You will wear them under your normal clothes.
- You will bring back the monitor in 24/48 hours time, and your recordings will be reviewed by our team and cardiologist. A detailed report will be sent to your GP.
| Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty (stenting) | Coronary angiography and angioplasty are procedures used to diagnose and treat ‘heart blockages’ or ‘coronary artery disease’ and sometimes for people with severe valve disease. These are performed in hospital. 'Between our team of cardiologists, we have admitting rights to the Tweed Valley Hospital (Public), Gold Coast University Hospital (Public), John Flynn Hospital (Private), Gold Coast Private Hospital, Mater Hospital Brisbane (public/private). - special dye and X-rays to visualize the inside of your coronary arteries, helping doctors identify blockages or narrowing.
- If a blockage is found, angioplasty (stent) may be performed.
| CT Coronary Angiogram | As specialists, our doctors can refer for CT coronary angiogram with these being rebatable under medicare (Ie bulk billed depending on the radiology service / eligible indication). A CT Coronary Angiogram is performed to - look for narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries
- Assess calcium and plaque burden
- Assess coronary anatomy
- Typically as part of a chest pain workup
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