Cardiovascular screening and diagnosis

Accredited services

Feel confident you’ll receive high-quality heart and vascular testing at ProHealth. The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) accredits ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital for echocardiography and vascular testing. That means we meet IAC standards for exceptional patient care.

Screening test

Your doctor may recommend a screening test if you’re at risk of developing heart or vascular disease. Learn about:

• Heart disease screening

Schedule your own screening or ask your doctor to refer you. You must have a primary care provider for follow-up care. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, call 262-928-2745. A physician referral specialist at ProHealth will assist you.

Diagnostic tests and services

Get quick, accurate diagnosis for your heart or vascular conditions. Count on ProHealth for a wide range of tests and procedures, including:

Heart tests and services

• Cardiac MRI – Produces detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels to detect or track heart disease.
• Echocardiogram (echo) – Uses ultrasound to see how your heart works and analyze its size, shape and ability to pump blood.
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) – Looks at your heart’s size, shape and function using a small electronic device placed into your throat.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) – Logs the electrical impulses that cause your heart to pump; your doctor studies the results to see if your heart is experiencing stress, strain or damage.
• Heart stress test – Watches your heart while you exercise or after taking a medication that makes your heart work hard; may help detect coronary artery disease, identify abnormal heart rhythms, or determine safe levels of exercise.
  • Exercise stress test – Monitors how your heart responds to physical activity.
  • Stress echocardiogram – Combines an exercise stress test and echo to check for coronary artery problems.
  • Dobutamine echocardiogram – Replaces a stress echo if you’re unable to exercise; injects a medication (dobutamine) to make your heart pump like you’re exercising.
  • Myocardial perfusion stress test (nuclear stress test) – Determines if your coronary arteries are supplying your heart with enough blood; uses a radioactive tracer and a nuclear medicine camera.

Heart monitors

• Holter monitor – Records your heartbeats during daily activity using a small EKG machine that you wear for 24 to 48 hours.
• Event and ambulatory telemetry monitor (ACT) – Records your heart’s action for up to four weeks on a wearable monitor.
• Loop recorder – Uses a heart monitor placed under your skin by an electrophysiologist to help find out if you have an abnormal heart rhythm.

Vascular tests

• Ankle-brachial index (ABI) – Compares the blood pressure at your ankle with the measurement at your arm to check for peripheral artery disease.
• Arterial Doppler ultrasound – Measures the blood flow through the arteries in your arms or legs; helps your doctor check blood pressure and see blockages.
• Vascular duplex ultrasound – Creates pictures of the arteries and veins in your arms, legs or neck to check blood flow and find blockages.
• Vein mapping – Takes images of superficial veins to determine if they can be used as vein grafts for bypass procedures and surgeries.

Preparing for your test

Follow your doctor’s instructions for preparing for your heart or vascular test.

Results

Your test results will be available through your MyChart online patient account.