Cardiology

Cardiology is a subspecialty of Internal Medicine which involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. A cardiologist is often asked to evaluate and treat patients with chest discomfort, heart attack, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, and irregular heart rhythm.

Not everyone who suffers from heart disease needs a cardiologist. An internist or family practitioner can manage many patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. A cardiologist’s skills are most needed in complex cases requiring specialized testing or extensive knowledge of the heart. Heart catheterizations, balloon angioplasty, and pacemaker insertions are performed by the cardiologist.

What are the warning signs of a heart attack?

Hands only CPR

Educational resources

Heart Scan

Do you have heart disease?

Every year more than 1.5 million Americans suffer heart attacks. A half a million die. That number continues to grow and it includes women as often as men. The age at which heart disease occurs continues to lower. Most victims never see it coming. They have no symptoms. No chest pain. No numbness in the left arm. No suspicion that the “silent killer” is at work, until it’s too late.

Introducing Heart Scan

Heart Scan CT, from NEA Baptist Clinic, can uncover heart disease in less than seven minutes and possibly years before you have a symptom. It’s completely noninvasive. That means pain-free. There are no needles, no dyes, no injections, and no exercise. That means it’s risk-free. The test itself is 100% comfortable and convenient. You don’t even remove your clothes.

To make an appointment, please call our Outpatient Imaging Center at 870-936-8000.

Noninvasive Cardiology

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test used to evaluate the heart chambers, valves, and muscle function.

Stress Testing

The heart is stressed using treadmill exercise or IV medicine. Electrocardiograms and sometimes echocardiograms are used to monitor the heart during this stress. This test is useful in the initial evaluation and follow-up of coronary artery disease.

Holter Monitoring

The Holter monitor is a portable device used to monitor the heart rhythm for 24 hours or more. Electrical activity of the heart is recorded on magnetic tape which is later computer analyzed, allowing the physician to prescribe medicine necessary to regulate the heart rhythm.

Carotid Dopplers

This is an ultrasound test used to look for blockages in the arteries in the neck. Such blockages may increase the risk of stroke.

Venous Ultrasound

This test is used to look for blood clots in veins in the legs or arms. If positive (diagnostic) the need for an X-Ray study with dye injection is avoided.

Nuclear Stress Testing

Procedure Description

This procedure is used to determine if you have an adequate blood supply to the different areas of your heart. This procedure is done in two phases. In the morning, the resting phase of the test is acquired. The patient will be injected with sestamibi and then asked to lie under a camera for approximately 30 minutes. Approximately 3 hours after the resting phase the stress phase will begin with a second set of images taken after the stress. The stress phase will consist of exercise by walking on a treadmill. For patients who are unable to exercise a drug called adenosine will be given that will stress the heart with a minimal amount of exertion.

Between rest and stress phase:

• You may leave the office.
• You may not have solid food until after the second part of the procedure is completed.
• You may have water.
• Coffee, tea, sugar, cream, or artificial sweeteners are not permitted.
• Diabetics will be allowed a light meal during this waiting period.

Once all the imaging data has been obtained, it will be processed and the results read by the physician who performed the test. A detailed report will also be sent to the physician who requested the procedure.

Locations that have this specialty:

• NEA Baptist Clinic

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  4802 E. Johnson
  Jonesboro, AR 72401

  

  870-936-8000