Cardiac diagnostic services

State-of-the-art diagnostic technology is designed for rapid diagnosis of heart conditions. Reliable and timely results assist your physician in making the best treatment recommendations for you. Northbay Health offers a full range of cardiac diagnostic services including:

12-lead EKG

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias) and can sometimes detect heart muscle damage.

Heart cath (cardiac catheterization)

A test in which a small catheter (hollow tube) is guided through the large artery in the upper leg, or sometimes the wrist or arm, into the heart. Dye is given through the catheter, and moving X-ray pictures are made as the dye travels through the heart. This comprehensive test shows narrowing in the arteries, heart chamber size, pumping ability of the heart, and ability of the valves to open and close, as well as a measurement of the pressures within the heart chambers and arteries.

Echo (echocardiogram)

A noninvasive test that uses sound waves to evaluate the heart’s chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create an image on the monitor as an ultrasound probe is passed over the heart.

TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram)

A test in which a small probe, about the size of a little finger, is swallowed and passed down the esophagus.

Treadmill stress testing

A test that is given while a person walks on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bike to monitor the heart during exercise. Breathing and blood pressure rates are also monitored. A stress test may be used to detect coronary artery disease, and/or to determine safe levels of exercise following a heart attack or heart surgery.