Cardiac Imaging Specialist

What is cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging uses ultrasound to create pictures and videos of your heart and blood vessels. These images allow your physician to diagnose disease and structural abnormalities. Echocardiography and vascular imaging are two main types of cardiac imaging.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to create pictures of your heart. The procedure is non-invasive, safe, and radiation-free. 

The image that’s produced is called an echocardiogram, and it shows your physician:

• The size and thickness of your heart’s chambers
• How your valves are functioning
• The direction of blood flow through the heart
• If you have a blood clot
• If there is any weak or damaged cardiac muscle

An echocardiogram also shows if there are any problems with the pericardium, which is the fluid-filled sac that surrounds your heart.

Vascular imaging

Vascular imaging also uses ultrasound technology to create images and videos of your arteries and veins. 

It’s a powerful diagnostic tool that allows physicians to monitor your cardiovascular health and function. Your doctor can use it to evaluate blood flow to and from your heart, including the way blood moves through your peripheral blood vessels. 

Why would I need cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging is a standard cardiovascular health screening. The team at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates includes the tests in their comprehensive concierge program to monitor your heart health. 

In addition to routine heart-health screenings, your doctor might also order cardiac imaging to determine what’s causing symptoms such as:

• An irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• High or low blood pressure
• Leg swelling
• Abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG) results
• A heart murmur

Vascular imaging may be used to:

• Monitor blood flow throughout your body
• Identify and locate narrowed or blocked blood vessels
• Locate blood clots
• Identify an aneurysm (an enlarged area in an artery)
• Evaluate varicose veins and peripheral vascular disease

Your doctor might also use vascular imaging to determine what treatment, such as angioplasty or a bypass, is right for you. Cardiac imaging also allows your doctor to see how well you respond to treatments, such as medication, an artificial valve, or a pacemaker. 

How should I prepare for cardiac imaging?

You don’t need to do anything special before your cardiac imaging. You can eat and drink normally but should wear comfortable clothing to your appointment. The technician might ask you to move during the test or adjust your clothing to create clear images. 

What happens during cardiac imaging?

Coral Gables Cardiology Associates offers in-office cardiac imaging for your convenience. You might need to change into a gown for your test, and then the technician attaches EKG electrodes to your chest and back. 

You recline on a treatment table, and the technician applies a clear gel to your chest or another part of your body being examined. The gel helps them glide the transducer wand over your skin smoothly to get the most precise images of your heart and blood vessels. 

The transducer sends the ultrasound waves into your body and collects their echos as the waves bounce off your heart and surrounding tissues. The computer translates the information into pictures of your cardiovascular system. 

The technician might ask you to breathe deeply or slightly adjust your position during your cardiac imaging test. The equipment records the images and videos so your physician can review them and discuss your results and next steps.

Call Coral Gables Cardiology Associates to schedule a cardiology consultation or a cardiac imaging appointment today.

 

We serve the greater Miami, Florida area. Call us to book your appointment today.