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Diagnosis of sudden cardiac death is made when there is a sudden loss of consciousness, breathing stops, and there is no effective heart beat.
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An electrocardiogram(ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
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Electrocardiography is a commonly used, noninvasive procedure for recording electrical changes in the heart. The record, which is called an electrocardiogram(ECG or EKG), shows the series of waves that relate to the electrical impulses that occur ...
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Detailed information on electrocardiogram, including how the EKG/ECG is performed and what happens after the procedure
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The electrocardiography unit, also called an electrocardiograph, is an apparatus that indirectly measures the heart''s electrical activity and records it as a graphic tracing.Electrocardiography is used to detect heart-function abnormalities. It in...
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Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin.
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The ECG (also known as EKG) is a test that records electrical signals from your heart onto a paper strip. The pattern of these signals can tell the doctor whether your heart is normal, under stress, or experiencing electrical problems, strain, or damage.
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The electrocardiogram(ECG) displays important information about the heart, including the occurrence of a heart attack or lack of oxygen, whether conduction of the heartbeat is disturbed, or its rate or rhythm altered. It is useful as a rapid indic...
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Detailed information on an electrocardiogram (EKG) procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
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The Harvard Health Letter celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In the first of a series, the Health Letter takes a look back at three decades in medicine.
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During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient''s body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems.
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A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.Chest radiography; Serial chest x-ray; X-ray- chest.The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider''s office by an x-...
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A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland and the bones of the chest ar...
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Detailed information on chest x-rays, including reasons for the procedure X-rays are made by using low levels of external radiation to produce images of the body, the organs, and other internal structures for diagnostic purposes. X-rays pass through body structures onto specially treated plates (similar to camera film) and a "negative" type picture is made. The more solid a structure is, the whiter it appears on the film. For this reason, bones appear very white on an x-ray film, but less dense tissue such as muscle, blood, skin, and fat appears darker.
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A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bones of the chest area.
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A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, and the bones of the chest a...
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An arteriogram is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the arteries. It can be used to see arteries in the heart, brain, kidney, and many other parts of the body.
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Angiography is the x-ray(radiographic) study of the blood vessels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or contrast medium, to make the blood vessels visible under x ray.
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Angiography is a special type of x-ray that allows your coronary arteries to be viewed and recorded on film. Your doctor can see if the blood vessels to your heart are clogged.
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CTA creates images of arteries throughout the body. A contrast medium (x-ray dye) is injected to make the blood vessels stand out. Pictures are then taken with the CT scanner. The CT images are processed by a computer to make a three-dimensional picture.
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Angiography is the x-ray(radiographic) study of the blood vessels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or contrast medium, to make the blood vessels visible under x ray.
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Angiography is the x-ray(radiographic) study of the blood vessels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or contrast medium, to make the blood vessels visible under x ray.
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Angiography is the x-ray study of the blood vessels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or dye, to make the blood vessels visible under x ray.
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Angiography is the x-ray study of the blood vessels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or dye, to make the blood vessels visible under x ray.
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Talk to your doctor about the risks and complications of angioplasty. Peripheral angioplasty is a procedure that helps open blockages in peripheral arteries. These vessels carry blood to your lower body and legs.
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Women who suffer from chest pain but show clear arteries on an angiogram may have a different type of blocked artery, where plaque builds up evenly on the inner surface or bulges outward.
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Hepatic angiography is an x-ray study of the blood vessels that supply the liver. The procedure uses a catheter (thin, flexible tube) that is placed into a blood vessel through a small incision. A specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist usually does the procedure.
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Heart magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is a imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the heart. It does not use radiation(x-rays).Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic( CT) scans, which use radiation, MRI use...
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A computed tomography(CT) scan of the heart is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create detailed pictures of the heart and its blood vessels.CAT scan- heart; Computed axial tomography scan- heart; Computed tomography scan- heart; Calcium scori...
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Computed tomography(CT) of the chest is performed to diagnose a variety of symptoms, including vascular, cardiac, airway disease as well as cancers that can occur in the thoracic region of the body.The purpose of the CT scan is to noninvasively an...
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CT scans can detect calcium in arteries, but the presence of calcium does not automatically indicate the presence of heart disease. The test may still be of some benefit to those with an intermediate risk but without symptoms.
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Detailed information on ultrafast computed tomography (CT) scan, including reasons for the procedure, risks of the procedure, what to expect, and discharge instructions
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Detailed information on ultrafast computed tomography scans, also called ultrafast CT scan or ultrafast CAT scan, including information on how the procedure is performed
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Detailed information on cardiac diagnostic and surgical procedures The following procedures are often used in the evaluation and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Consult your physician or heart care professional for more specific information.
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The multiple-gated acquisition(MUGA) scan is a non-invasive nuclear test that uses a radioactive isotope called technetium to evaluate the functioning of the heart''s ventricles.The MUGA scan is performed to determine if the heart''s left and right ...
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The multiple-gated acquisition(MUGA) scan, also called a cardiac blood pool study, is a non-invasive nuclear medicine test that displays the distribution of a radioactive tracer in the heart. The images of the heart are obtained at intervals throu...
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The multiple-gated acquisition(MUGA) scan, also called a cardiac blood pool study, is a non-invasive nuclear medicine test that enables clinicians to obtain information about heart muscle activity. The scan displays the distribution of a radioacti...
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Echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than x-ray image and involves no radiation exposure.Transthoracic echocardiogram(TTE); Echocardiogram- transthoracic; Doppler...
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Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart muscle. Ultrasound waves that rebound or echo off the heart can show the size, shape, and movement of the heart''s valves and chambers as well as the f...
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An echocardiogram (echo) is an imaging test. It helps your doctor evaluate your heart. Here is how it works.
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Detailed information on a echocardiography (echo) procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
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Detailed information on echocardiography, including types and how the procedure is performed
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Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart muscle and the heart''s valves.Echocardiography is used to diagnose certain cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most widely used diagnostic tes...
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The concentrations of these ions in the bloodstream remain fairly constant throughout the day in a healthy person. Changes in the concentration of one or more of these ions can occur during various acute and chronic disease states and can lead to ...
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However, there is a narrow concentration limit of these electrolytes that the body must maintain within each of these compartments. The body transfers electrolytes intracellularly and extracellularly as required to maintain electrolyte balance.
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Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged molecules called ions, that are found within the body''s cells and extracellular fluids, including blood plasma. A test for electrolytes includes the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, and...
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Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged ions that are found within the cells and extracellular fluids, including blood plasma. A test for electrolytes includes the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.
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Intracardiac electrophysiology study(EPS) is an invasive test that allows doctors to determine the details of abnormal heartbeats, or arrhythmias.Electrophysiology study- intracardiac; EPS- intracardiac.The study involves placing wire electrodes i...
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An electrophysiology study(EPS) of the heart is a test performed to analyze the electrical activity of the heart. The test uses cardiac catheters and sophisticated computers to generate electrocardiogram(EKG) tracings and electrical measurements w...
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An electrophysiology(EP) study of the heart is a nonsurgical analysis of the electrical conduction system(normal or abnormal) of the heart. The test employs cardiac catheters and sophisticated computers to generate electrocardiogram(EKG) tracings ...
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An electrophysiology study(EPS) of the heart is a nonsurgical analysis of the electrical conduction system(normal or abnormal) of the heart. The test employs cardiac catheters and sophisticated computers to generate electrocardiogram(EKG) tracings...
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An exercise stress test is a screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart. It provides an overall look at the health of your heart.Exercise ECG; ECG- exercise treadmill; EKG- exercise treadmill; Stress ECG; Exercise electrocardiogra...
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Used to evaluate heart function, a stress test requires that a patient exercises on a treadmill or exercise bicycle while his or her heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram(ECG), and feeling of well being are monitored.When the bo...
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An exercise stress test shows your heart's response to exercise. The test records your heartbeat while you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. It can be done in a hospital, a test center, or a doctor's office. The test is also called a stress electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).
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A stress test is primarily used to identify coronary artery disease. It requires patients to exercise on a treadmill or exercise bicycle while their heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram(ECG), and symptoms are monitored.The body requires m...
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A stress test is primarily used to identify coronary artery disease. It requires patients to exercise on a treadmill or exercise bicycle while their heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram(ECG), and symptoms are monitored.The body requires m...
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BNP is a hormone produced by the body when the heart is enlarged. Testing a person's BNP level is an easy and accurate way to help doctors diagnose congestive heart failure.
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Sestamibi stress test; MIBI stress test; Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.Thallium stress test is a nuclear imaging method that shows how well blood flows into the heart muscle, both at rest and during activity.This test is done at a medical cent...
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A thallium heart scan is a diagnostic test that uses a special perfusion-scanning camera and a small amount of thallium-201, a radioactive substance, injected into the bloodstream to produce an image of the blood flow to the heart.A thallium heart...
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Cardiac nuclear imaging is also called a "perfusion scan.” A radioactive tracer is delivered into the bloodstream. Then a camera scans the tracer in the blood as it flows through the heart muscle.
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The technetium heart scan is a non-invasive nuclear scan that uses a radioactive isotope called technetium to evaluate blood flow after a heart attack.The technetium heart scan is used to evaluate the heart after a heart attack. It can confirm tha...
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What are the possible side effects of a nuclear stress test? Does the thallium injection in any way compromise kidney function?
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A thallium heart scan is a test using a special camera and a small amount of radioactive substance injected into the bloodstream to make an image of the blood flow to the heart.A thallium heart scan is used to evaluate the blood supply to the hear...
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Since my bypass operation in 1996, my cardiologist has me take a thallium stress test every year. The results are always fine. I'm worried that the radiation from these tests is going to give me some kind of radiation-related cancer. Do I really need it?
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The technetium heart scan is a noninvasive nuclear scan that uses a radioactive isotope called technetium to evaluate blood flow after a heart attack.The technetium heart scan is used to evaluate the heart after a heart attack. It can confirm that...
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According to recent reports, the radiation used during a heart stress test can set off security alarms used in buildings and airports.
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The CPK isoenzymes test measures the different forms of creatine phosphokinase(CPK) in the blood. CPK is an enzyme found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle.Creatine phosphokinase- isoenzymes; Creatine kinase- isoenzymes; CK- isoenzyme...
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The creatine kinase test measures the blood levels of certain muscle and brain enzyme proteins.Creatine kinase(CK or CPK) is an enzyme(a type of protein) found in muscle and brain. Normally, very little CK is found circulating in the blood.
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Cardiac marker tests identify blood chemicals associated with myocardial infarction(MI), commonly known as a heart attack. The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart wall composed of heart muscle.
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Cardiac marker tests identify blood analytes associated with myocardial infarction(MI), commonly known as a heart attack.Cardiac markers help physicians to assess acute coronary syndromes and to identify and manage high-risk patients. Creatine kin...
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