At BKLYN Cardio, our diagnostic testing services help in the comprehensive evaluation and management of cardiovascular disease. They offer insights into the health and function of the heart and vascular system.
Our non-invasive imaging techniques and minimally invasive procedures are available to diagnose diseases affecting your heart and circulatory system.
We understand the importance of early detection and accurate diagnosis in managing cardiovascular diseases effectively. Our expert team uses a range of cutting-edge diagnostic procedures and tests to evaluate symptoms and monitor the progression of cardiovascular conditions.
At BKLYN Cardio, we offer an array of advanced diagnostic testing for cardiovascular conditions. With our cutting-edge facilities and expert team, we ensure accurate and timely results for effective treatment.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a quick, painless test to check heart health. It records the electrical signals in the heart using electrodes, which are plastic patches that stick to your skin on the chest and limbs.
We connect these patches to an ECG machine, which measures and interprets the activity of your heart. An electrocardiogram test does not send electricity into your body.
With an ECG test, we can quickly check:
If your symptoms tend to come and go, a regular ECG may not detect a change in the heartbeat. Depending on your symptoms and conditions, we may suggest using electrocardiogram devices to monitor your heart for a longer duration outside the office.
We may recommend using the following electrocardiogram devices.
Holter monitor is a small portable device that records the electrical activity of your heart for over 24 hours. We may advise a Holter monitor ECG if we find you have symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and low blood pressure.
You can wear it at home and during daily activities after ECG electrode patches are placed on your chest, which are connected by wires to a small portable recording device.
An event monitor is a portable ECG device that records your heart’s electrical activity when you experience fluctuating symptoms. It's typically worn for about 30 days.
In some event monitors, you need to push a button when you feel symptoms to record and store your heart's electrical activity. However, event monitors can also automatically record data when an irregular heartbeat is detected without the need to press a button.
Some event monitors can transmit recorded information directly to us, allowing us to analyze the electrical activity of your heart.
An implantable loop monitor is a type of event monitor that is implanted using a minimally invasive procedure. It is implanted just under the skin of your chest and records your heart's electrical activity continuously for up to 3 years. We may recommend an implantable loop recorder if you have the following symptoms:
Since an implantable loop monitor is used for a longer duration than other ECG devices, it can record changes in your heartbeat that other devices may miss. It does not hinder your normal day-to-day activities.
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound test that assesses the structure and function of your heart. During the procedure, we place a device called a transducer on the chest.
The transducer sends out sound waves that move through the skin to the heart tissues, where they bounce off of the heart structures. This test helps us take pictures of your heart’s valves and chambers and helps diagnose heart conditions. The procedure does not involve the use of radiation.
There are several types of echocardiograms available.
A cardiac stress test is a medical assessment performed to observe how the cardiovascular system reacts to externally induced stress in a controlled clinical setting. There are various types of cardiac stress tests.
An exercise stress test helps find out how well your heart handles work. The test commonly involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle. As your body exerts more effort to perform these activities, it demands increased oxygen, prompting the heart to pump more blood.
During the test, we monitor your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and how tired you feel. The test finds out whether there's a reduction in blood supply to the heart's arteries. The test also helps us determine the type and intensity of exercise that is suitable for you.
Echo stress test uses an echocardiogram to find out how well your heart muscle is working to pump blood to your body under stress in a controlled setting. The stress can be triggered by exercise or medication. We perform an ultrasound of your heart before and at peak exercise to detect changes in blood flow to the heart muscle.
Nuclear stress test, also known as a cardiac PET scan, is an advanced heart stress test that uses safe levels of a radioactive substance and a cardiac imaging scan to assess heart function. The radioactive substance called tracer or radiotracer is given by IV while the imaging machine records how the tracer moves through the heart arteries.
We take pictures of your heart at rest and after you exercise to compare the amount of blood flow to the heart at both times. A decrease in blood flow usually indicates a blockage in one or multiple arteries.
Nuclear stress tests can help us assess the following:
Angiography uses X-rays to show blood flow through arteries or veins or through the heart. Sometimes, it also uses a CT scan or MRI. Angiography can help diagnose blood vessel blockage, aneurysms, and structural heart or valve disease.
Depending on your condition, a different type of angiography may be performed.
A coronary angiography uses contrast dye and X-rays to examine any narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. It is typically employed for diagnosing coronary artery disease caused by plaque buildup (cholesterol deposits) in the wall of the coronary arteries.
A renal angiogram assesses the blood vessels in the kidneys. This test helps examine conditions such as aneurysms (ballooning of blood vessels), stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels), or blockages in the renal arteries.
Additionally, it evaluates blood flow to the kidneys. During a renal angiogram, a contrast dye is injected into the artery. Then, X-ray imaging is used to visualize the dye as it travels through the renal blood vessels.
Peripheral angiography is a diagnostic imaging test that checks for conditions of the peripheral arteries that supply blood to the legs, feet, arms, and hands. It uses X-rays and a special dye to see inside the peripheral arteries. Peripheral angiography can help identify blockages, inflammation, or injury in arteries.
Lower extremity peripheral arterial testing is a series of diagnostic tests done to identify peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the legs or lower extremities. It is caused by the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels.
Tests to diagnose PAD may include:
Computed Tomography Coronary Angiogram (CTCA) is a non-invasive CT scan that evaluates blood flow and identifies narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries. It does not require catheterization (the use of a tube) or contrast dye.
A CT Calcium scan is a special computerized tomography that measures the calcium in the coronary arteries.
At BKLYN Cardio, our team offers advanced diagnostic testing and personalized care to detect cardiovascular conditions at their earliest stage. Our comprehensive cardiovascular assessment helps plan effective treatment for your conditions.
To schedule an initial appointment with our interventional cardiologist, Dr. Matthew Jones, please call 718-237-4067 or request one online. You can also visit our practice in Brooklyn, NY.
