The Heart Center of Eastern Carolina is the only practice in our region that offers patients a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to assure their complete cardiovascular care. Among them are:

Diagnostic

Echocardiography – Using high-frequency sound waves, your cardiologist can create a videotape of your heart’s chambers, valves, wall motion and blood flow patterns. By outlining the heart’s anatomy, its overall function can be assessed and progress of treatments evaluated.

Nuclear Stress Test – Using a radioactive isotope injected into the blood stream, your cardiologist can take images with a special camera that will show how well the heart is pumping, whether the heart is receiving adequate blood supply, and where blockages may exist that impede flow.

Treadmill Stress Test – You cardiologist evaluates your heart’s response to increased activity as you walk. The stress test can help your cardiologist assess the blood flow to your heart and diagnose coronary artery disease or monitor the progress of treatment.

Catheterization – A catheter, or flexible tube, is guided by your cardiologist through a blood vessel in your arm or leg to your heart. The catheter allows the doctor to measure pressures in the heart chambers, evaluate the pumping function, and identify blockages or other potential problems.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening – By something as simple as comparing your ankle’s blood pressure to that in your arm, your cardiologist can determine if you have blockages elsewhere in your body. PAD can occur in your arms, legs, neck or kidneys and can lead to strokes or other serious problems.

Holter Monitor / Event Recorders / Implantable Monitors – These tools are used by your cardiologist to diagnose electrical and rhythm disturbances of your heart.

Treatment

Atherectomy – Through a catheter, your cardiologist inserts a small device that removes plaque buildup from artery walls. This procedure clears blockages and restores normal blood flow. A Rotoblator procedure uses a small, high-speed drill to shave off plaque.

Stent Placement – By placing a small metal coil, called a stent, into blocked arteries by way of a catheter, your cardiologist can restore normal blood flow to the heart, or prevent the lining of an artery from rupturing. The stent becomes a permanent part of your circulatory system.

Coronary Balloon Angioplasty – Your cardiologist inserts a small balloon into your artery with a catheter. The balloon is inflated, compressing plaque against the side of the arterial wall and restoring normal blood flow to the heart. Peripheral angioplasty is used to treat blockages in other arteries in the body.

Pacemaker – For patients with irregular or very slow heart rates, your cardiologist can surgically install a pacemaker. It’s a battery operated device that sends electrical signals to the heart, stimulating a normal contraction, or pumping action.

Defibrillator – Similar to a pacemaker, a defibrillator is an implanted device that monitors heart rhythm and delivers a shock to correct a potentially fatal heart rhythm, should it occur. The shock is designed to restore the heart to its normal rhythm.

Medication and Monitoring (Management) – Some patients can treat their cardiovascular problems simply by changing their lifestyle or using medications. Your cardiologist will prescribe these non-invasive solutions when appropriate.