Having quality care close to home is important, especially when it comes to heart disease: the leading cause of death in the United States. Access to convenient, personalized care for cardiovascular conditions is critical to saving lives and improving patient welfare. Early intervention and treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes, particularly in the case of heart attack and stroke. The first step in cardiology care is to schedule an assessment. As part of the exam, your cardiologist will ask you about your symptoms, note your medical and family history and perform a physical exam. He or she also may order tests to help diagnose or rule out certain heart conditions.
Here are some of the tests your cardiologist may use as diagnostic tools:
- Blood tests can check for high cholesterol, inflammation and other indicators of heart problems.
- Stress tests can evaluate how your heart responds when it is working harder.
- Echocardiograms provide images of the heart chambers and valves via ultrasound.
- Cardiac CT uses multiple X-ray scans to provide a high-resolution image of your heart.
- Nuclear medicine involves radiotracers (radioactive material) that are used to create images of the heart and assess blood flow.
Although imaging is not always necessary, it can be a vital diagnostic tool in many cases. Being able to see how your heart is working and identifying any possible damage allows the medical team to provide a more accurate and timely diagnosis.
The essence of a fulfilling life hinges significantly on the health of your heart. Getting coordinated, personalized care can help you reach your potential by improving and maintaining your heart health.
Dr. James Lam practices cardiology at Ochsner Medical Center Hancock. Call (228) 220-5200 or visit ochsner.org to learn more.