Texas Medical Center office: Services

What it is

An echocardiography, or cardiac echo, is an ultrasound of the heart. It helps your doctor visualize the size and shape of your heart as well as aspects of your heart’s function. An echocardiography can be important in diagnosing and monitoring a number of cardiac diseases.

What to expect

An echocardiography is a painless, noninvasive way for your doctor to obtain pictures of your heart. The technician (sonographer) will put gel on the ultrasound device (transducer) and will press the transducer firmly on your chest. The transducer picks up sound waves from your heart, which the computer converts to images. The sonographer will move the transducer around on your chest to get pictures of different parts of your heart.

What it is

A vascular ultrasound is an ultrasound of your veins and arteries. It allows your doctor to visualize and monitor blood flow, locate blockages and blood clots, identify abnormalities, and evaluate varicose veins. It can help your doctor determine if you require other procedures or surgeries.

What to expect

Like an echocardiography, vascular ultrasounds are painless and noninvasive. The technician (sonographer) will put gel on the ultrasound device (transducer) or on the area to be examined and will press the transducer firmly on the area your doctor wants to evaluate. The transducer picks up sound waves from your blood vessels, which the computer converts to images. The sonographer will move the transducer around the area to get pictures of different parts of your blood vessels.

What it is

Treadmill exercise testing, also known as a stress test, shows your doctor how well your heart is able to handle work. Because your body requires more oxygen the harder it works, your heart must pump more blood to deliver more oxygen throughout the body. The test helps assess whether your arteries are delivering enough blood supply to your heart to allow your body to work harder. This can help diagnose and monitor cardiac diseases or the effectiveness of a cardiac procedure you had. It also helps determine what intensity of exercise is appropriate for you.

What to expect

First, you will be hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart function, including heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. You will begin slowly walking on the treadmill. The pace and incline of the treadmill will gradually be increased. Afterwards, you will be asked to sit or lie down, and your heart rate and blood pressure will be checked again.

What it is

Holter monitoring, or arrhythmia monitoring, is a portable device that monitors and records your heart’s electrical activity (known as an electrocardiogram or ECG) for typically 24-48 hours. It allows your doctor to detect abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac symptoms that you may have during the day that wouldn’t be detected during a regular ECG taken at one point in time in a doctor’s office.

What to expect

A technician will place electrodes on your chest. These electrodes are attached to the Holter monitor, which is about the size of a small camera. You will carry the monitor in a pocket or pouch with a strap that is hung across your shoulders or attached to your waist. The technician will instruct you on how to take care of the monitor and what you can and can’t do while wearing it. You will also be instructed on how to keep a diary of your symptoms and how you are feeling throughout the time you wear the monitor. After the specified amount of time you have been told to wear the monitor, you will come back to the office and return the monitor. Your doctor will then review the electrical activity recorded by the monitor as well as your symptom diary and will tell you if the results indicate a change in your cardiac care should be made.

Call (713) 797-1111 to ask about this test.

Call (713) 797-1111 to ask about this test.

Call (713) 797-1111 to ask about this test.