• Echocardiograms
• Electrocardiograms (EKG’s)
• Holter & Event Heart Monitors
• Nuclear Medicine Testing
• Stress Echocardiograms
• Transesophageal Echocardiograms (TEE)
• Treadmill Stress Testing
• Vascular Diagnostic Exams

• Echocardiograms

An echocardiogram is a heart evaluation procedure that uses ultrasound to generate still and moving images. It examines the heart’s ventricles, atriums, valves, and structures, showing pumping functions and valve performance. Once the procedure is completed, the images and measurements are interpreted by the Cardiologist and the results are then forwarded to the ordering provider. The procedure is available for patients over 12 years old, adults, and adults with pre-approved congenital heart defects. Patients under 12 or those with complex congenital defects will require a referral to a Pediatric Cardiologist from their primary provider.

MedMovie Echo Video: Echocardiogram (medmovie.com)

ASE See My Heart CAD Info: Circulation Diseases | See My Heart American Society of Echocardiography

• ECG/EKG with Interpretation

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat by placing electrodes on the chest, arms, and legs and connecting them to an ECG machine. After the readings are obtained, they are interpreted by the Cardiologist and results are forwarded to the ordering provider.

EKG AHA: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) | American Heart Association

• Holter & Event Heart Monitors with Interpretation

Event monitors and Holter monitors are both small, wearable devices that record the heart’s electrical activity by attaching sensors/electrodes to the chest. The main difference is that Holter monitors record continuously for 24, 48, or 72 hours, while event monitors only record when the user activates the device or detects abnormal heart rhythms.

After patients wear either monitor for the prescribed amount of time, the results are downloaded and interpreted by the Cardiologist. Results are then forwarded to the ordering provider.

• Stress Echocardiograms

A stress echocardiogram is a testing method that evaluates a patient’s heart for exercised induced changes. During the test resting and stressed echocardiogram images of the heart are obtained while monitoring the patient’s EKG. The patient can exercise on a treadmill to achieve a targeted heart rate or receive incremental doses of Dobutamine if they are physically unable to exercise. The cardiologist interprets the test results.

ASE Stress Echo Video: https://youtu.be/ioRHjagbEX4?si=mRbYp11JWStqfb-N

• Transesophageal Echocardiograms (TEE)

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a procedure where a cardiologist inserts a camera/probe down a sedated patient’s throat to take images of their heart via their esophagus and stomach, which provides unobstructed views for a thorough evaluation of heart valves, structural anomalies, and masses. This procedure is only performed on adult patients at MHP.

MedMovie TEE Video: Transesophageal Echocardiogram (medmovie.com)

• Exercise or Treadmill Stress Testing

An exercise or treadmill stress test is a medical test that helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles work. During the test, you walk on a treadmill while your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored while you exercise to achieve a predetermined heart rate. After the exam is completed, the Cardiologist will interpret your results and they will be forwarded to the ordering provider.

AHA Stress Test: Exercise Stress Test | American Heart Association

• Vascular Diagnostic Exams

Vascular diagnostic exams are ultrasound tests that check the blood flow in your arteries and veins. These tests are noninvasive and use ultrasound to measure the amount of blood flow in your blood vessels along with the size and shape of your vessels.

Mahaska Health offers multiple options for vascular testing, including the following:

Ankle Brachial Indexes (ABI’s)

Segmental Pressure Studies (Segs)

Carotid Duplex

Aortic Duplex

Renal Artery Duplex

SMA/Celiac Duplex

Iliac Artery Duplex

AAA Medicare Screening

Upper Extremity Venous Duplex

Lower Extremity Venous Duplex

Upper Extremity Arterial Duplex

Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex

AV Fistula/Dialysis Graft Duplex

ASE Vascular US Info: Circulation Ultrasound | See My Heart American Society of Echocardiography

• Nuclear Medicine Stress Testing

A nuclear stress test is an imaging test that uses a tracer or radiotracer given by IV to show how blood flows through the heart at rest and during exercise. An imaging machine takes pictures of how the tracer moves through the heart arteries. Mahaska Health currently utilizes surrounding facilities to perform these exams for our patients.

NM MPI AHA: Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Test | American Heart Association

NM Spect AHA: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) | American Heart Association

• Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Test

A coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring test is a heart scan that uses a multidetector CT to create detailed images of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. The test measures the amount of calcium in the heart arteries, which is associated with more severe heart disease. The calcium score helps predict the risk of a future heart attack and may assist in determining treatment decisions like taking low-dose aspirin or statin therapy. It is particularly useful for patients at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease. Mahaska Health currently utilizes surrounding facilities to perform these exams for our patients.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring CT AHA: Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Test | American Heart Association

Lipid Management

Ambulatory Monitoring

Cardiology Consults

Heart failure clinic

Heart valve clinic

Adult congenital heart disease

Advanced heart failure clinic

Anticoagulation clinic

Atrial fibrillation clinic

Cardiac rehab referrals

Cardioversion

Diagnostic imaging

Heart rhythm center

Pediatric clinic

Long covid clinic

Medication assistance program

Prevention & wellness clinic

Sports Cardiology

Telehealth (virtual) visit

Valve clinic/structural heart

Chronic Care Management

Remote patient Management

PPM and ICD management

LifeVest monitoring

Counseling to help patients understand and manage the disease process

Beginning and maintaining an exercise program

Counseling on nutrition from a Registered Nurse, Dietitian or Diabetes Educator

Helping patients modify risks such as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes education

Providing guidance to help our patients return to work

Discussing physical limitations

Counseling on the appropriate use of prescribed medications