Noninvasive cardiologists are often the first point of contact for patients with heart problems. These specialists provide expertise in detecting and treating heart disease.

With noninvasive diagnostic tools, cardiologists can assess:

• ventricular function
• myocardial mass
• coronary anatomy
• myocardial viability
• artery blockages
• subtle abnormalities of the heart's function

Diagnosis

• Echocardiography
  An echocardiogram, or ultrasound, translates sound waves from the chest into pictures of the heart. It provides information about how the heart is pumping, how blood flows in the heart and blood vessels, how large the heart is and how the valves are working.
• Electrocardiography
  The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the heart’s electrical activity. Small patches called electrodes are placed on the chest, arms and legs, and are connected by wires to the ECG machine.
• Stress/Exercise Electrocardiogram
  Stress tests are performed to see how the heart performs under physical stress. The heart can be stressed with exercise on a treadmill or bicycle.
• Nuclear Cardiology
  Nuclear myocardial imaging uses radioactive tracers to highlight blood flow to the heart muscle. With a stress thallium test, nuclear cardiologists can see the coronary arteries and the shape and function of the heart and see how much blood the heart is getting at rest and during stress. Two components make up this tool, a treadmill stress test and a heart scan after a radionuclide material, such as thallium, is injected.
• Cardiac MRI
  Cardiac MRI uses a powerful, high-strength magnet to help diagnose heart problems and guide treatment, allowing cardiologists to see amazingly detailed three-dimensional images of the heart. With the images produced by cardiac MRI, cardiologists can see how well the heart muscle is contracting, as well as any areas of damaged tissue. This radiation-free technique is especially useful for evaluating such conditions as coronary artery disease, heart failure and congenital heart disease.

Information

For more information about Heart Care at Shands HealthCare or to make an appointment, call toll-free 1.866.931.1185.

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To make an appointment or find out more information about heart care services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 1.866.931.1185

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.