The cardiovascular system is responsible for distributing oxygen, nutrients, and blood to every part of the body. The heart is one of the most powerful and critical muscles in the body. It is also prone to a variety of illnesses and conditions.
Fortunately, many cardiac tests can help diagnose conditions prior to them becoming life-threatening. Cardiac testing can help catch conditions and illnesses early on and can potentially add years to your life.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Dangerous cardiac events, such as heart attacks, can strike without warning. However, the body tends to give us signals that something is wrong several months or even years before they occur.
One of the biggest benefits of cardiac testing is that doctors can watch out for early warning signs. For instance, coronary CT angiography allows doctors to examine the blood vessels and heart tissues to look for signs of damage. Electrocardiography can analyze the different electrical impulses generated by the heart. Medical professionals may be able to find signs of problems even before patients show symptoms.
An example is plaque buildup in the arteries. Plaque buildup can lead to coronary artery disease, which leads to issues such as weakening of the heart and heart attack. Plaque builds up gradually, not overnight. Unfortunately, you may not feel any symptoms of plaque buildup in the early stages, which is why it often goes ignored until the buildup becomes significant.
With early cardiac testing, you can find out if you have plaque buildup much earlier than when it becomes a problem. This can give you and your doctor time to make adjustments to your lifestyle and medications to ensure you don’t have serious health issues later on.
Types of Cardiac Testing
There are a variety of cardiac tests you can get done. Here are some of the most common cardiac tests and what doctors use them for.
- Echocardiogram – This is an ultrasound of the heart. It helps doctors evaluate the heart’s size, wall thickness, valve function, and overall heart function.
- Vascular Ultrasound – This test helps doctors determine if there is a problem in the blood flow from the veins in the legs back to the heart. It can help in diagnosing chronic venous insufficiency or chronic venous stasis.
- Segmental Pressure Testing – This test is used to diagnose peripheral artery disease.
- Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing – This test measures blood flow to the heart. It can help doctors assess your heart health and pinpoint specific areas where you are having issues.
Cardiac Testing in Irmo, South Carolina
Early testing leads to early diagnosis, which is critical for effective and efficient treatment. The longer you wait on getting diagnosed and treated, the more difficult it will be to get you back in great health. When it comes to the heart, is it not worth waiting.
At SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, we emphasize preventive measures when taking care of our patients. We offer an extensive line-up of cardiac tests as well as knowledgeable professionals that can give you accurate diagnoses.
Our patrons in South Carolina can attest to our dedication and genuine care. For appointments, call us at (803) 749-1111 or request a meeting now.
