The Cardiovascular Lab at Heritage Medical Center, is a full-service, non-invasive facility capable of diagnosing heart conditions through ultrasound, nuclear medicine, Holter monitoring and stress testing.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a diagnostic technique in which high-frequency sound waves penetrate the body, bounce around and produce multiple echoes; these echo patterns can be viewed as an image on a computer screen.

Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine refers to imaging techniques that use radioactive substances to detect and treat disease. It uses tiny amounts of radioactive materials which are detected by special cameras that work with computers to provide very precise pictures. Nuclear Medicine is used for:

• Functional studies of the kidney, liver, brain, heart, gallbladder, stomach, bones, thyroid, lungs and tumors
• Therapeutic procedures for hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer and bone cancer

Holter Monitoring
A Holter monitor is a machine that continuously records the heart's rhythms. The monitor is usually worn for 24 - 48 hours during normal activity.

Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto a patient's chest and attached to a small recording monitor. The patient carries the Holter monitor in a pocket or small pouch worn around the neck or waist. The monitor is battery operated.

While you wear the monitor, it records your heart's electrical activity. You should keep a diary of what activities you do while wearing the monitor. After 24 - 48 hours, you return the monitor to your doctor's office. The doctor will look at the records and see if there have been any irregular heart rhythms.

It is very important that you accurately record your symptoms and activities so that the doctor can match them with your Holter monitor findings.

Stress Tests
A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient.

The Cardiovascular Services Department also performs diagnostic procedures including:

• Dobutamine & Treadmill Stress Echocardiogram (CDSE & CESE)
• Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
• Pharmacologic Thallium Stress Test (A-mibi or D-Mibi)
• Echocardiogram (ECHO)

Located in the Heritage Medical Center, the Cardiovascular Lab is staffed for testing from 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you should have any questions, please call 931-685-8350.

An Experienced Team
Vickie Pyrdum, director of the cardiovascular department, and Melissa Coffey are registered nurses (R.N.) and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers (RDCS). Carol Moss and Carrie Gasser are registered nuclear medicine technologists (RNMT). Cathy Fletcher, R.N., is certified to operate the new Holter monitoring system (for electrocardiogram testing) and performs stress tests. Pam Heaton, supports personnel and plays a major role in keeping the lab running smoothly.