Cardiology

EKG (electrocardiogram)

• EKG is a common and painless non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG is used to efficiently assist in detecting and diagnosing underlying heart conditions.

Echocardiogram

• Echocardiogram is a graphic outline of your heart’s movement. An echo test is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves (known as ultrasound) to look at the size, shape, and motion of your heart and heart valves to assess the overall function of your heart and to help identify heart disease.

Cardiac Stress Tests

• Exercise Treadmill Stress Test
  • An exercise treadmill stress test is a screening tool used to evaluate the effects of exercise on your heart. It provides a look at your overall heart health and how well your heart is able to handle work, and can also be used to determine the level of exercise appropriate for your lifestyle.

Stress Imaging Tests

• Stress Echocardiogram
  • A stress echocardiogram (also known as an echocardiography stress test or a stress echo) uses ultrasound to take pictures of the heart’s response to exercise to help detect coronary artery narrowing and to view the function of the heart valves during exercise. A stress echo is used to ensure your heart muscles are getting enough blood and oxygen during exercise.

• Cardiac Nuclear Stress Tests
  • Cardiac nuclear stress tests use a nuclear radioactive tracer as an imaging agent to view blood flow through the coronary arteries to the heart to determine narrowing or blockages. This test can be done as an exercise test or as a pharmacological test if you are not able to exercise. In the case not involving exercise, a drug that stimulates the heart to respond as if you are exercising is used instead of actual physical exercise.

Holter Monitor

• A Holter monitor is a small, battery-powered device that measures and records your heart rate and rhythm for a full 24 hours. A Holter monitor is occasionally used to learn more about your heart’s function than can be learned from a routine EKG. Once complete, a cardiologist evaluates the results of the recording and a report is sent to your provider.

Event Monitor

• An event monitor is a portable device used to record your heart’s electrical activity. It is worn for 2-4 weeks for symptoms that are intermittent, and records the same information as an EKG but for longer durations of time. The recordings are transmitted wirelessly and evaluated by a cardiologist, and a report is then sent to your provider.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is an individualized education and monitored exercise program designed to support patients with heart disease to reach an optimal state of health. Patients may be eligible to participate if they have had:

• Heart surgery
• Angioplasty or stent placement
• Heart attack
• Heart transplant
• Stable angina
• Heart failure

We also offer the Healing Hearts Program for patients that do not qualify for insurance or Medicare benefits for Cardiac Rehab. This is a four-week self-pay program designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with heart failure.

The Heart Failure Program is an educational and assessment program specific to patients with heart failure admitted to Western Wisconsin Health, either with an acute episode or history of heart failure.

The Heart Failure Program provides education related to your condition and follow-up support and care coordination to assist in the prevention of hospitalizations.

A team of experienced registered nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists will help you and your family understand heart failure and your plan of care. They will help you monitor your progress and act as a liaison between you, your provider, and cardiologist.