Cardiology

Cardiologist In New Jersey

The cardiologists at United Medical have the specialized training and knowledge to identify symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

Common cardiology conditions include:

Diagnosing Heart Problems

Using advanced cardiac imaging technology, we can perform an in-office EKG and do blood work to evaluate the health of your heart. If there is an abnormality, our cardiologists may order additional testing to confirm a diagnosis. Our providers perform echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and a wide range of cardiac stress tests in our New Jersey offices.

United Medical’s ICAEL-Accredited Laboratory

United Medical has been granted accreditation in the area of adult transthoracic procedures by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL), for all three of its locations: in Lyndhurst, Clifton, and Bayonne, New Jersey.

Accreditation by the ICAEL means that United Medical has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The ICAEL grants accreditation only to those facilities found to be providing quality patient care. ICAEL is a "seal of approval" that patients can rely on as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations in the field of echocardiography.

Echocardiograms

An echocardiogram, or “echo,” is a painless test that uses ultrasound imaging to create pictures of your heart. The test gives your doctor information about the size and shape of your heart, and how well your heart's chambers and valves are working. The test can also identify areas of heart muscle that are not contracting normally due to poor blood flow or injury from a previous heart attack. An echocardiogram can detect possible blood clots inside the heart, fluid buildup in the pericardium, and problems with the aorta.

Echocardiograms use sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than a plain X-ray image – plus, an echo involves no radiation exposure. Occasionally, your lungs, ribs, or body tissue may prevent the sound waves from providing a clear picture of heart function. If so, the sonographer may inject a small amount of liquid (contrast) through an IV to better see the inside of your heart.

What Echoes Are Used For

Our cardiology providers may perform an echocardiogram to diagnose, evaluate, or monitor:

  • Heart murmurs
  • Abnormal heart valves
  • Pumping function of the heart for people with heart failure
  • Damage to the heart muscle in patients who have had heart attacks
  • Infection in the sac around the heart (pericarditis)
  • Infection on or around the heart valves (infectious endocarditis)
  • The source of a blood clot or emboli after a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack)
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Pulmonary hypertension

Types of Echocardiograms

There are several types of echocardiograms. Our cardiology providers will determine which echo is appropriate for you.

Electrocardiograms (EKGs)

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a noninvasive test that is used to reflect underlying heart conditions by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. By positioning leads (electrical sensing devices) on the body in standardized locations, information can be learned about many heart conditions by looking for characteristic patterns on the EKG.

An EKG is usually performed as part of a routine physical examination. Your doctor may order this test if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or palpitations. An EKG is a very useful preoperative workup for surgery in patients who may be at an age where heart disease is more likely.

What EKGs Are Used For

An EKG may be performed to identify:

  • Underlying rate and rhythm mechanism of the heart
  • Orientation of the heart (how it is placed) in the chest cavity
  • Increased thickness (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle
  • Possible damage to various parts of the heart muscle
  • Evidence of acutely impaired blood flow to the heart muscle
  • Patterns of abnormal electric activity that may predispose the patient to abnormal cardiac rhythm disturbances

The test takes about 5 minutes. It is painless and no electricity is sent through the body. In some instances, we may need to shave a small amount of a man’s chest hair to obtain optimal contact between the leads and the skin.

Stress Tests

A stress test, also called an exercise stress test, is used to gather information about how well your heart works during physical activity. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster than it does during most daily activities, an exercise stress test can reveal problems within your heart that might not be noticeable otherwise.

An exercise stress test usually involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored.

What Stress Tests Are Used For

Our cardiology providers may recommend a stress test if he or she suspects you have coronary artery disease or an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). The test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've already been diagnosed with a heart condition, as well as to:

  • Evaluate exercise tolerance when patients have unexplained fatigue and shortness of breath
  • Evaluate blood pressure response to exercise in patients with borderline hypertension
  • Look for exercise-induced serious irregular heartbeats

Types of Stress Tests

Types of stress tests include:

Treating Heart Conditions

Many patients respond well to medication and lifestyle changes to treat common problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, and clogged arteries. For more serious problems where an artery, vein, or valve is diseased or damaged, the use of a stent or other interventional cardiology procedure may be necessary. If you need an interventional procedure, our cardiologists can refer you to a specialist who performs these procedures.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease in New Jersey

You should discuss any concerns you have about your heart health with your primary doctor, who can refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation. If you have a history of heart trouble in your family, or if you have certain risk factors – such as smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and high stress level – do not hesitate to seek the advice of a cardiologist.

Call the United Medical office nearest you in New Jersey for a heart evaluation: in Lyndhurst at (201) 460-0063, in Bayonne at (201) 339-6111, or in Clifton at (973) 546-6844. You can also request an appointment now.

Cardiologist checking patient's heartbeat with stethoscope