bill-oxford-8u_2imJaVQs-unsplash.jpg

Consultations

We offer comprehensive specialist cardiology consultations for conditions including heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, elevated cholesterol and screening for inherited heart conditions.

We see patients with a wide variety of presenting symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and syncope.

During your consultation, we will ask about your medical history, formulate a diagnosis and management plan, and discuss with you any recommendations for further testing or treatment.

IMG_2966.JPG

Stress testing (echo + ECG)

Exercise stress echocardiogram is our preferred type of stress test, however exercise stress ECG is also available.

An exercise stress echocardiogram is a test to assess the flow of blood to your heart muscle and to look for any sign of narrowing or blockage in your coronary arteries.

The test involves a resting echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), walking on a treadmill while some ECG electrodes are attached to your chest wall, and then a repeat echocardiogram immediately following exercise.

On the day, please:

  • Bring a list of your current medications

  • Wear clothes and shoes you are comfortable walking in

  • Do not use body moisturiser or lotion

You will need to undress from the waist up (women will be given a gown to wear while exercising). Men may require part of the chest to be shaved.

The test will be supervised by a cardiac technician and one of our cardiologists.

You will be continuously monitored during the test. Exercise will stop if there are any observations that concern the doctor, if you become tired, breathless or if you develop chest pain.

robina-weermeijer-NIuGLCC7q54-unsplash.jpg

Echocardiography

A transthoracic echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound test which assesses the structure and function of your heart muscle and heart valves. A cardiac technician will place an ultrasound probe on various parts of the chest wall to view the heart from different angles.

During the test, you will need to undress from the waist up (women will be given a gown to wear). Three ECG electrodes will be placed on your chest wall, and a plastic ultrasound probe will be moved around your chest wall while you rest on a bed.

The test will generally take about 30 minutes to perform, and the results will be forwarded to your referring doctor (typically within 2 working days; urgently on request).